Brodhead, John Romeyn. History of the State of New York, Vol. I (1609-1691). New York: Harper & Brothers, 1853.

GENETALOGV COLLECTION DOCUMENTS I,ATIVE TO THE COLONIAL HISTORY STATE OF NEW-YORK PROCURED IN HOLLAND, ENGLAND AND FRANCE JOHN ROMEYN BRODHEAD, ESQ., AND BY VIETUE OF AN ACT OF THE LEGISLATUKE, ENTITLED "AN ACT TO APPOINT AN AGEKT TO PEOCUP.E AND TEANSCP.IBE DOCUMENTS IN EUROPE RELATIVE TO THE COLONIAL HISTORY OF THE STATE," PASSED MAY 2, 1889. PUBLISHED UNDER AND BY VIRTUE OF …

D., who was employed for that purpose, and to superintend the publication generally. CORKESPONDENCE. The Legisktnre having recently placed the publication of the Documents collected by you in Europe, relative to the Colonial History of the State of New-York, under the direction of the Regents of the University, I have been instructed by the Committee of the Regents charged …

Sir: I have received your letter of yesterday, in which, as Chairman of the Committee of the Regents of the University having the subject in charge, you request me to prepare an Introduction to the " Colonial History " of this State -- commonly so called -- to be prefixed to the first volume. The Committee, in making this request, have done me an honor which I highly …

With high regard, I am, Sir, Sincerely yours, JOHN ROMEYN BRODHEAD. John V. L. Pruyn, Esq., &c., &c., &c., Albany. GENERAL INTEODUCTION. The Public Records of the State of New -York are, chiefly, in the office of the Secretary of State at Albany. They are as various in their character as they are voluminous in their extent. Most of them relate to and illustrate the History of …

the exception of some entries of lands, the oldest of which is in 1630, none of the records of Director Minuit's administration, from 1626 to 1632, nor of Director Van Twiller's, from 1633 to 1638, have been preserved. The series of papers, however, is tolerably complete during the time of Director Kieft, from 1638 to 1647, and of Director Stuyvesant, from 1647 to 1664. After …

Upon the full organization of the State government the city of Albany became the capital, and the Colonial and Provincial records -- other than those the relating to municipality of the metropolis -- which had formerly been kept New-York, were in removed thither. The pressing concerns of a new and impoverished Commonwealth for a long time prevented much thought being given to …

particular." This was the origin of the New -York Historical Society, which, on the 10th day of February, 1809, received a special Act of Incorporation from the Legislature. The members of the Society immediately took steps to accomplish the high purposes of their association, and soon collected a valuable library of printed books and manuscripts. At length the time came when …

of information and talent, and embracing not only the disposition but the ability to promote knowledge, are essentially necessary to crown with success any important undertaking of this nature. With these motives, and for these objects, this society was formed. A liberal and enlightened Legislature, justly appreciating its importance, granted it a ciiarter of incorporation …

without public patronage, and without any other excitement than a desire to be useful, as humble contributors to the great stock of human knowledge, we have been able to accomplish so much, what might we not effect if public bounty should be united with individual contribution, and if the countenance of the Legislature should stamp a value upon our researches, and enable us to …

It is well known that many manuscripts are buried in the archives of State, or in the libraries of public bodies, which might be transcribed, and which would shed new light on our history. The Bibliotheca Americana, published in England, imperfect as it is, indicates what invaluable and unexplored treasures for our historians may be obtained in that country. " But we would beg …

Its state under England, which continued about one hundred and twelve years, and which includes the proprietary government of the Duke of York, and its government under the Kings of Great Britain, excepting about sixteen months, when it was repossessed by the Dutch. "IV. And, lastly, its political existence as a member of an independent government. "Before the lapse of many …

Many learned, elaborate and interesting works have never been seen in America ; some are so scarce that they cannot be procured without the expense of transcribing; and papers of great moment have never been printed. " The regular minutes of the transactions of the Indian Commissioners for this Colony, from 1675 to 1751, as kept by a secretary employed for the purpose, were …

our counties, and in the ofBce of the Secretary of State to the public offices in the neighboring ; Colonies, with whose governments the Dutch had negotiations ; and to several books published and which are scarcely known to in the Dutch and Latin languages, relative to this country, us. The darkness which hangs over this branch may be perceived in the History of NewYork …

" The history of our country, since the commencement of the Revolutionary war, is in a better state of preservation ; but even here,how many interesting events are passing into oblivion, how many important facts are distorted and misrepresented, how many illustrious achievements are forgotten or neglected. Documents that may illuminate the obscure, explain the doubtful, and …

We are influenced by no other motive than that of elevating the character and promoting the prosperity of a community to which we are bound by every tie that is deemed precious and sacred among men. And let it not be said that the exigencies of the times and the pressure of a foreign war render it inexpedient to apply the public bounty to this object. The State is rich in …

Tills memorial of the Historical Society was received with great favor by the Legislature, which, with a liberality that has always belonged to the State of NewYork, passed two acts on the 13th and the 15th of April, 1814, recognizing, in the most gratifying manner, the claims of the Institution to the regard of the representatives of the peojile. Public attention was now …

John Van Ness Yates, then Secretary of State, submitted a Report to the Legislature, detailing the steps he had taken in ^ GENERAL INTRODUCTION. carrying their resolution into effect, and containing an interesting and elaborate character of the public records in his synopsis of the several divisions and the specific custody. To this Keport was appended a general Catalogue, I …

on the one hand, the public archives were known to be defective in many important respects, on the other hand the State should have been supposed to be less rich in historical records than it really was ; and that the attention of those whose minds had long been given to the subject should have been earnestly directed towards the best means of securing and increasing the …

Accordingly, at a meeting of that Society on the 10th of April, 1838, a committee was appointed to solicit from the Legislature an annual grant, out of the income of the United States' Deposit Fund, to defray the expenses of procuring materials in Europe for the illustration of the history of the State. In pursuance of this action, a memorial was presented to the Legislature …

"And your memorialists represent that they have been advised by those who from official station had unusual opportunities and facilities for making researches, and have learned from other sources on which they can rely, that there are now in the archives and public offices of Holland and England many documents, letters, correspondences and papers, relating to and bearing upon …

" And your memorialists represent that, under a sense of the importance of the trust reposed in them, and deeply solicitous to procure this valuable addition to the materials now under their control, they consider it make known to your honorable body that their their duty to means are inadequate to undertake the expense attendant thereon. And they represent further that, even …

Your memorialists entertain the belief, from the fact that such permission has been granted on the application of other States of our Confederacy ; and that an Agent appointed for that purpose by the State of Georgia is now in London, receiving every facility from the Departments of the English government. Xa GENERAL INTRODUCTION. " And your memorialists represent tliat the …

Your memorialists do not believe that there will ever be a more favorable opportunity for renewing their request, and in all probability no such attempt will ever be made by others. " And your memorialists believe that it is worthy the ambition of the Empire State to have under its own control the materials for writing its history. Already, in its rapid increase of population …

" To the end that the Historian may come to this work with all the advantages which its importance demands, your memorialists pray " That an appropriation be made by your honorable body, at its present session, for the purpose of defraying the expenses of an Agent, to be sent, under the direction of this Society, in the name and by the authority of this State, to ask for and …

" I have the honor to transmit a memorial from the New -York Historical Society, praying for the passage of a law authorizing the appointment of an Agent to visit Europe, to transcribe documents remaining in the public offices of the governments of England and Holland, illustrating the Colonial history of this State. " It would advance the cause of free government throughout …

This State has certainly not less interest in rescuing and preserving the memorials of her Colonial condition. " I respectfully commend the petition of ' The New-York Historical Society' to the favorable consideration of the Legislature. " WILLIAM H. SEWARD." This message of the Governor and the accompanying memorial of the Historical Society were referred by the House of …

" The memorialists constitute the Historical Society of the State of New-York, and were chartered for the important purpose of collecting and preserving documents, papers, evidences, and generally all materials relating to or in any way connected with the history of this State. In discbarge of the duties thus imposed upon them, and in pursuance of the objects thus intrusted by …

Superadded to this, there has ever existed a great difficulty, if not an impossibility, in obtaining access to the documents, papers, &c., so valuable in illustrating our history, and which, if sought for, have eluded research from the want of that legislative sanction and authority now desired by your memorialists. " Impressed with these considerations, and encouraged by the …

And it is also represented, with like truth and force, as your committee believe, that at no period of our history have circumstances been so auspicious for the prosecution and successful issue of their purposes as those presented at this time. Not only are the relations between the governments referred to and our own more intimate and better understood than heretofore, but …

In the drama of our Colonial and National history, she was, and continues to be, proudly eminent. Her soil, her streams and her people are known to fame. History, faint as it is, reveals her crimsoned plains, her bulwarks of military and naval art, and the chivalry of her sons. The virtues, the heroism and the councils of her citizens were feltand appreciated during the …

dedication, that 'it was not presented for his Lordship's information,'' as 'all the world knows that the aSiiirs of the British Colonies have been for several years past under his principal direction, and the wisdom of the measures pursued for their prosperity and defence are indisputable arguments of his acquaintance with their condition.' "Thus were the details of our …

"During the period from 1609, when our shores were first discovered and our noble river ascended by Henry Hudson, to 1614, and while as a Dutch Colony, up to 1664, and subsequently as an English Colony, from that date to 1776, it was well known that the most intimaterelations existed between the colonists and the mother countries, and that the numerous records, documents and …

The government of France is presumed to be in possession of documentary papers having reference to the part she took in our Revolutionary struggle, to her subsequent relations to this country, and to ' the French and Indian wars,' which by no means form the least affecting and important portion of our Colonial history. " The military operations of the French in our State …

" It may not be unimportant to add that, while the Colonial history of this State is seen to be thus fraught with local and general interest, it is characterized by the existence of the most singular relics of art, the origin of which has hitherto baffled the inquiries of the philosophic and curious, but which reveal the startling fact that, at a period long antecedent to all …

Ingratitude alone must be our apology in failing to cherish the memory and the annals of their history. Nor is it less an obligation to our predecessors, than a duty to posterity, that we encourage the perpetuity of their examples of virtue and of patriotism. " In the execution of the purposes set forth by the memorialists, and commended by the Governor, it is represented that …

An Agent shall be appointed by the Governor of this State, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, to visit England, Holland and France, for the purpose of procuring, if possible, the originals, and if not, copies, of all such documents and papers, in the archives and offices of those governments relating to or in any way affecting the Colonial or other history of …

and obtain, in Europe, historical documents and papers, which, when procured, were to be added to and form a part of the existing records of the State, at Albany. He was necessarily invested with a large discretion ; he was to procure as much additional material as he could ; and his scope of selection was limited only by the comprehensive restriction to such documents …

Bleecker, attached to the American Legation at the Hague, and was to some extent familiar with the peculiar duty he was expected to perform. In order, however, to avoid what was felt to be the chief inconvenience in the execution of his mission, namely, the procuring of duplicates of documents already in the possession of the State, the Agent spent several weeks in a careful …

" The Legislature of tliis State having on the 2d day of May, 1S39, passed an act for the appointment of an Agent to visit England, Holland and France for the purpose of procuring the originals or copies of such documents and papers, in the archives of those governments, relating to the Colonial and other history of this State as are important to illustrate that history, and …

" The general policy of the European governments towards their transatlantic possessions has been heretofore studied by us chiefly in the acts of their agents here, while its comparative unimportance in the domestic history of those States has caused it to be often overlooked or superficially treated by European historians. It is represented to us that there are now, in the …

It is, I presume, chiefly with a view to obtaining authentic evidence concerning this part of our history tiiat you are expected to visit that country. " It would be highly interesting to obtain the originals or copies of the instructions forwarded to the French and English Governors of Canada to learn the views which possessed ; them, of a commercial, military or colonizing …

The capture of the city of Albany, under his orders, has found as yet but a few lines on the pages of the historian. " The Dutch records have furnished us with a vast amount of information relating to the Colony while in subordination to the West India Company; but the official reports of Governors Van Twiller, Stuyvesant, Kieft, &c., to the father-land, and the documents …

" All these, as far as the appropriation will permit, after defraying your necessary expenses and the private charges which will attend you in your various journeys, will become matter of interest to you in your general investigations. <'You are advised to proceed first to Holland, to ascertain what documents and papers require your attention there ; to England, and institute …

"You will be allowed at the rate of two thousand dollars per annum, payable quarterly, for your compensation, besides your traveling expenses and disbursements for the purposes of your mission. You have already received an advance of fifteen hundred dollars. On rendering accounts for one thousand dollars of that sum, you may draw upon the Comptroller for another sum of one …

He commenced his investigations in the archives at the Hague in the following summer ; and for nearly three years was diligently engaged in prosecuting his labors in the several Record offices of Holland, England and XX GENERAL INTRODUCTION. Trance. It was necessary, in the first place, to procure the official authority from the proper departments of government, without which …

memoranda which he had been able to make of papers already in possession of the State, the Agent was constantly exposed to the chance of copying duplicates and the more ; so, as he was obliged to make his selections upon a prompt exercise of judgment, and without proper opportunities for comparison. All documents about which there was no doubt were at once selected for …

was thought that this discretion would be most advantageously exercised by securing, while there was a favorable opportunity of doing so, all papers coming within the terms of the law, the suppression or omission of which might, in the judgment of competent historical authority, leave incomplete the public records of the State. Moreover, it was always considered that the …

Eeports were from time to time addressed to the Governor, who communicated them to the Legislature ; and further sums of three thousand dollars on the 11th of April, 1842, and five thousand dollars on the 13th of April, 1843, were voted to defray the expenses of the Agency. Having at length executed his duty as fully as he could, Mr. Brodhead returned home in the summer of …

Documents in Europe, relative to the Colonial history of this State.' The report presents a brief but very clear history of the progress of the Agency, of the difficulties encountered, and of the general results accomplished, and will be read with the interest belonging to the suhject. " My pressing engagements have not allowed me time to make myself acquainted with the …

" The schedules of documents accompanying the report I have not found it possible to command the time even to read, although the transmission of the report has been delayed for some days, in the hope that so much leisure might be found. Any further delay would only abridge the time which will be allowed to the Legislature to make these examinations, and to take the necessary …

" ' This Agency is the result of the antiquarian spirit that has lately gained so much ground in our country. That spirit, growing and freshening with the advance of years, has been greatly strengthened and fostered by the exertions of the New-York Historical Society ; an institution which, it is but faint praise to say, has more than fulfilled the high hopes entertained of …

Referring to the gaps and deficiencies in our own existing records, the papers of the Dutch West India Company and the archives of the then government of the Netherlands were pointed out as the sources whence materials for the Dutch portion of our history were to be obtained; and the recoi'ds of the Plantation Office (Board of Trade) in London, and tlie library of the British …

George Folsom, a memorial was prepared and presented to the Legislature, urging the importance of an investigation of European archives, for the purpose of procuring those materials for the illustration of our history which our own State records could not furnish ; and praying the State to undertake, for the benefit of the people, an enterprise the society of their own means …

Stone, and others, an act was passed, with great unanimity on the 2d May, 1839, authorizing the appointment of an Agent " to visit England, Holland and France, for the purpose of procuring, if possible, the originals, and if not, copies, of all such documents and papers in the ai-chives and offices of those governments, relating to or in any way affecting the Colonial or other …

in most cases only upon applications backed by high personal or official influence. I had an interview, accordingly, with the Secretary of State of the United States, for the purpose of procuring specific instructions to the American Ministers at London, Paris and the Hague, in favor of my Agency ; but he having declined giving them at that time, I embarked for Europe on the …

This note was referred by the Marquis of Normanby to Lord Palmerston, Principal Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and on the ; 20th July following an answer was returned to Mr. Stevenson, that Lord Palmerston felt some difficulty in acceding to my application, but that if 1 would send to him a list of any particular documents I wished to obtain, his lordship would have …

"'It was hoped that, on a review of the subject, Her Majesty's government would have looked more auspiciously upon the application, and that, so far from perceiving in it anything objectionable, would rather have viewed the objects of the State as of a purely literary and altogether praiseworthy character, and, as such, commending themselves to the favorableand liberal …

Bleecker, then the Charge d' Affaires of the United States near the King of the Netherlands. The well known interest of this gentleman in the cause of historical research, induced him to enter, at once, cordially into the views of the State; and I gladly and gratefully embrace this opportunity to renew the expression of my thanks for those valuable counsels, and friendly …

The general direction of the royal archives being entrusted to the Minister of the Interior, the application was promptly referred to the Baron Schimmelpennick, the head of that department; and an interview was accordingly had with His Excellency, who at once informed me that he would give directions to the officer in charge of the archives to afford me all facilities for the …

M. de Jonge, on my presenting myself at the archives, pointed out the various depositories in which the documents presumed to relate to the subject of my research were contained and gave directions that every book and paper, known or supposed ; to contain information affecting our Colonial history, be submitted, without reserve, to my inspection, and every arrangement made …

The diplomatic correspondence of the government, as well as copies of general letters, and also the instructions and commissions issued from time to time, are preserved in several separate series of books. The original papers and memorials, received by tlie States-General from time to time, are arranged on Liasses, or files, or are tied up in bundles, which are deposited in …

impression I had previously entertained, that though a great and valuable amount of information, on points either entirely novel, or at best but imperfectly known in our history, was there contained, the records of the Dutch West India Company, which had the supervision and direction of the Colony of New Netherland, were the grand magazine in which I might hope to find those …

" ' But, on applying at the West India House, I was, to my infinite surprise and mortification, informed by Mr. de Munnick, the keeper, that all the books, documents and papers of every kind, belonging to the old East and West India Companies, of a date prior to 1700, had been sold at public auction in the year 1821, by order of the government of the Netherlands. That nothing …

Unwilling, however, to abandon all hope of recovering a portion, at least, of the records which had been sold, I caused advertisements to be inserted in the most widely circulated journals of the country, requesting any person who might have in his possession any documents relating to the history of the Colony of New Netherland to have the goodness to communicate with the …

" The application to the authorities of the city of Amsterdam, for permission to examine ' their archives, was at once acceded to in the most courteous manner, and prompt arrangements were made to facilitate my investigations of the records in the Stad-Huys. Quite a number of interesting documents, relating to the City's Colony on the South river, were found and copied. " …

respecting New Netherland, and the proceedings of that body in relation to the various matters from time to time brought before them affecting the Colony and its inhabitants. The act of the Legislature directed me to procure, if possible, the originals, and if not, copies of all documents illustrating our history. I applied for the originals, but the regulations of office did …

Everett as Minister of the United States, near Her Britannic Majesty. At the request of the Governor, and justly appreciating the importance to the Union, as well as to the State of New-York, of the objects contemplated by the State in sending an Agent to Europe, the President of the United States had instructed Mr. Everett to apply to the British government for such …

It need scarcely be said that the views of the State were at once warmly and zealously entered into by the distinguished gentleman who represents our country in England, and whose friendly and valuable counsels have laid me under obligations I shall always be proud to acknowledge ; or that it was fortunate for the cause of literature and historical investigation that the Earl …

it is claimed that it has " never permitted itself to be surpassed by any other, in the countenance which it has at all times extended to every judicious effort for the promotion of useful knowledge." Some time subsequently, Lord Aberdeen having suggested that though it might not be possible for me to furnish a specific list of the historical documents desired, yet, that a …

my examinations were to be made in the presence of an officer of the establishment, and that I was merely, in the first instance, to indicate, by slips of paper, the documents I might wish to transcribe, and not to transcribe, or make extracts of any of them, until the papers so indicated should have been examined and allowed, on the part of Lord Aberdeen. " ' This order was …

Everett to Lord Aberdeen. His lordship promptly replied, giving me the further permission desired respecting the making memoranda, &c., but declining to accede to the request that I might be allowed to employ a private copyist. I was obliged, in consequence, to pay to the clerks of the office 4d. sterling for every folio of 72 words that they transcribed. " Her Majesty's State …

James' Park, near the government offices ; and is, in every respect, well adapted to its purposes. In addition to the papers from the offices of the Secretaries of State (among which is to be found a very voluminous correspondence with the Governors and Military Commanders in America), the State Paper Office now contains the whole of the records of the " Board of Trade," down …

By order in council, dated 12 March, 1675, King Charles II. referred whatever matters had been under the cognizance of the late Council of Trade and Foreign Plantations to a committee of the Privy Council, consisting of the Lord Treasurer, the Lord Privy Seal, and others, and directed them to meet once a week, and report their proceedings to the King in council, from time to …

our historians as the " Board of Trade." On the 15th May, in that year, King William III., by royal commission, constituted and appointed the great officers of state, for the time being, and certain other persons, " Commissioners, during the royal pleasure, for promoting the trade of the Kingdom, and for inspecting and improving the Plantations in America, and elsewhere." This …

" ' The records of the Board of Trade were kept with much care and system. Their proceedings on all subjects brought before them were accurately entered in a series of large folio journals, commencing with 1696 and extending down to 1782; and which, including the records of the proceedings of the Committee of Privy Council, between 1675 and 1696, number about 130 volumes. " …

Documents of general concern to all the Provinces and Colonies were recorded and preserved in a separate series of books, amounting to sixty, entitled " Plantations General." " The records of the State Paper Office, properly, are not nearly so perfect, especially in ' the earlier periods, as those of the Board of Trade. It was only in matters of great secrecy and concern that …

aloae, fillino- nineteen large folio volumes, and comprising, as well, the letters of the Secretaries to the Governors. Besides the several series relating to the different Provinces, there is a set of volumes, numbering eighteen, entitled " Plantations General," in which the general correspondence of the Secretaries with the Colonies and with the Superintendents of Indian …

" ' Thus upwards of five hundred volumes and bundles of papers were thoroughly and carefully examined in the State Paper Office. Each document desired for transcription was indicated by a slip of paper, and subsequently reexamined by a gentleman connected with the Foreign Office, under Lord Aberdeen's direction. Such of them only as were not obje(;ted to were copied. The …

an expression of my admiration of the politeness and attention of Messrs. Charles Lechraere and Robert Lemon, the deputy keeper and chief clerk. To the latter gentleman, particularly, I feel under great obligations, not only for his personal courtesies to myself, but for the ready and zealous interest he manifested in the success of the undertaking I was charged by the State …

There are no separate papers whatever, in the Privy Council Office, of a date prior to 1700 ; but the registers of its proceedings are preserved complete from the time of Queen Elizabeth. " The library of tlie British Museum, already a magnificent monument of the public spirit ' of the nation, is daily becoming more and more worthy the admiration of the world. The collection …

Through the kind and polite attention of Sir Henry Ellis, the principal librarian, I had every facility afforded me for examining the various printed and manuscript collections, and quite a number of transcripts were made of papers bearing upon our history. While speaking of this noble institution, I may be permitted to remark that nowhere else was I more strongly convinced of …

My application to the Archbishop of Canterbury for permission to make researches in the library was promptly and cheerfully complied with ; and it gives me great satisfaction to have this opportunity of acknowledging the very marked liberality of the venerable prelate at the head of the English Church, as well as the urbanity and friendly interest displayed by His Grace's …

I was unable to find any traces of the original books of records of the Indian Commissioners, which are supposed to have been removed from this State during the Revolutionary war; but copies have been made of all Sir William Johnson's official letters to the British government, which remain in the State Paper Office, as well as of the greater part of the proceedings respecting …

"' The policy of France in regard to her Canadian possessions -- the establishment of her military positions on our frontiers, and her negotiations with the Indian tribes on our borders, and within the very limits of our territory itself, are directly and intimately connected with our Colonial history; and hfer long struggle to maintain her influence in the northern portion of …

An answer was promptly returned, authorizing me to make the researches I wished, without limitation; and adding, that " all the facilities he can desire will be accorded" to the Agent. I will only remark, in passing, that this liberality did not prove to be mere formal phrase. " ' In further prosecution of the duties of my mission, I accordingly went to Paris in June, 1842 …

It is greatly to be regretted that the volumes subsequent to 1737 appear to be missing. The other, and by far the most fertile repository, is a series of upwards of an hundred enormous "cartons" or port-folios, each larger than two ordinary folio volumes, and in which, at the time of my examination, were placed loosely and without chronological order, or even the least attempt …

"'Knowing, however, that tlie archives of the Department of the Marine and the Colonies was not the only source from which to obtain information, an application was addressed to the Minister of War, Marshal Soult, Duke of Dalmatia, which was promptly answered by a had been given for my admission to the dep6t and archives of the letter stating that orders War Department, " for …

The documents selected and transcribed relate chiefly to the period between 1755 and the treaty of Paris, and comprise the correspondence of the Military Commanders in America with the French government. " 'An application was also made for permission to examine the archives of the Department of Foreign Affairs, for papers relating to the history of Canada, and the intercourse …

you have already applied, is the only one which can furnish you with information on this subject, Canada having always been under its supervision, and never having had any relations with my department." " Researches were also made ' in the collections in the Royal library at Paris; a most full and unqualified permission for which purpose was granted by Mr Villemain, the …

relations with this Province, &c., as well as the dispatches of the Military Commanders during the romantic and exciting period in our history of the " French War." " As at the Hague and in London, the reguh tions of the offices at Paris did not allow ' me to execute that part of the law, establishing the Agency, requiring the procurement, if possible, of original documents …

That much of the good feeling exhibited was owing to the high standing of our Minister at the French Court, is unquestionable ; and I feel it a duty, not less incumbent than grateful, again to acknowledge the marked kindness of General Cass, and the personal and zealous exertions he never failed making, to render my visit to Paris most advantageous to the State. " ' The …

The price paid for copies was about eleven cents for eacii page. In London, however, as before stated, my application for permission to employ a private copyist having failed, I was obliged to pay to the regular clerks in the State Paper Office 4d. sterling for every folio of seventy-two words, or about twenty-five cents for an ordinary page transcribed. This circumstance, and …

I have before slated that, in the course of my investigations in the State Paper Office, I ascertained that there were other series of books and papers than those the terms of my original permission allowed me to inspect, containing information respecting our history ; and that a subsequent order from Lord Aberdeen gave me the liberty to examine a large number of additional …

They have used their best judgment, and the utmost caution, in acquitting themselves of this trust ; and if there are still any given which may appear to some to be scarce worthy of publication, they desire it may be considered that men's ideas of such matters are often very diHerent, and that any particular paper which, upon being perused apart from the rest, may seem of too …

" 'The transcripts were all separately made, and in such a manner that they could be afterwards arranged in proper order. This was necessarily the case, as the originals were not all contained in one particular set of many and various series. books or papers, but were scattered through The documents copied at the Hague, and in Amsterdam, were all arranged and indexed by myself …

It is believed, however, that this point has been carefully guarded, and that the plan I adopted, viz: the use of the Historical year (which commenced on the 1st of January) instead of the Legal year (which commenced on the 25th March), and of the Old Style, until 1752, when the act of Parliament took effect, will be found to have been judicious, and to meet the approbation of …

These several appropriiitions, amounting to twelve thousand dollars, have been drawn from the treasury and entirely exhausted in defraying the expenses of my mission; accurate accounts for which have been rendered to the Comptroller. I will only add, that I have advanced from my own private means a considerable amount, in addition, which has been applied to defraying the …

of difficulty and oppression to the principles she then so fearlessly asserted -- has been among the foremost of the Confederation to vindicate her self-respect to the world, by rescuing from obscurity and long neglect the scattered memorials of her Colonial existence, to place them side by side the records of her independent progress. " ' I have the honor to be, Sir, " ' Very …

But as mankind rise in the scale of intelligence, a growing solicitude is felt in regard to circumstances and events beyond the present moment the necessity of making provision for future exigencies becomes ; more and more apparent, and leads to untiring exertion to accomplish so important an end. It is reserved, however, for a still higher degree of progress to develope any …

" It has been made a subject of reproach to this country, by the enemies of republican institutions, thatno care is taken among us to preserve our ancient records a charge -- implying a semi-barbarous condition of society, and far from complimentary to our national character. But admitting its truth, to a considerable extent, there is good reason to believe it will not be long …

A late excellent writer, the author of a valuable History of the United States, although a stranger to our country, has spoken in proper terms on this subject; he remarks as follows Founders of ancient colonies have sometimes been deified : ' by their successors. New-York is perhaps the only commonwealth whose founders 'have been covered with ridicule from the same quarter. It …

amidst the toils and hardships of colonial life, removed at so great a distance from the scenes of their early associations, deserve a very different commemoration at the hands of their descendants and successors. " The New -York Historical Society -- an institution that has done much to preserve the historical records of our State -- first suggested to the Legislature the …

A copy of his instructions, from the Executive of the State, is annexed to this report. " In pursuance of these instructions, Mr. Brodhead, on his arrival in London, applied to the British government for permission to make transcripts of such documents in its archives as related to our Colonial history. The application appears to have been coldly received by Lord Palmerston …

Brodhead's researches in Holland are sixteen volumes of transcripts in the Dutch language, an analysis of which is contained in his printed calendar. It will be observed that these documents comprise a great variety of details relative to the original discovery and settlement of our State ; commencing with notices of the first navigators who explored the North and East rivers …

But there was found a few years ago among the papers of Governor Bradford, of the Plymouth Colony, a correspondence between that functionary and the Dutch authorities of New Netherland, on the Island of Manhattan, bearing date in the year 1627 ; and Bradford, in a letter written at that time, says of the Dutch, ' that for strength of men and fortifications they far exceed them …

The attention of the Legislature has already been called to it, in a report made to this body during the last session, but for a very different purpose, and in an incomplete and inaccurate translation ; it is therefore reproduced here. It is a letter written from Amsterdam by Mr. Schagen, the Deputy of the States-General at the meeting of the West India Company, to the Dutch …

They have sown all kinds of grain in the middle of May, and reaped in the middle of August. I send you small samples of the summer grains, as wheat, rye, barley, oats, buckwheat, canary seed, beans and flax. " ' The cargo of the ship consists of 7,246 beaver skins, 178J otter 675 " 48 mink " 36 cat-lynx " 33 mink " 34 small rat " together with a considerable quantity of oak …

"Some doubt has hitherto existed in regard to the name of the Director-General or Governor of the Colony prior to the year 1633 and although it was generally supposed that the office ; was then held by Peter Minuit, yet no official act of that person as chief magistrate was among our records. The fact is now established by the discovery of an original grant of lands, signed by …

Brodhead, having finished his labors in Holland, returned to London in December, 1841, where in the meantime a change of ministry had taken place -- Lord Palmerston having been succeeded by Lord Aberdeen in the office of Foreign Secretary. A more friendly policy towards the objects of the Agency was now manifested, and, with the valuable aid of the new American Minister, Mr …

Brodhead returned to England, and on the 7th of July, 1844, embarked for New -York, where he arrived early in the following month. Immediately after his arrival, he reported himself to Governor Bouck, and made known to him the general results of his mission. From that time until the date of his final report, the 12th of February last, he was employed at the city of New -York …

The following extract from the report of a committee of the Assembly, in relation to lands granted by the State for military services, shows their value in this respect " 'The committee, also, in the spirit of the ruleof rendering justice to whom justice is due, feel constrained to acknowledge the important aid they have received, in this investigation and search for the musty …

There is nothing in print like the minute and exact reports made by the French Canada of their operations on our frontier officers in during their long struggle for the preservation of Canada. Your papers surround Montcalm with all the interest of a hero of romance, and trace his overthrow, clearly, to distinct and inexorable causes. " ' For the following period, your …

April, 1842, $3000 ; and on the 13th of April, 1843, $5000. By the Comptroller's books, it appears that Mr. Brodhead has furnished accounts and vouchers for $12,014.23, including his compensation to July 7th, 1844, leaving a balance in his favor, to that date, of $14.23. " It appears, from an abstract of the Agent's accounts, that the Holland documents, exclusive of binding …

Brodhead remained for several years in the condition in which they had been deposited in the Secretary's office, aflfording light and aid to historical inquirers, not only of this but of other States. The " Paris Documents" -- xlii GENERAL INTRODUCTION. "were found to be of special interest to the literary investigators of Canada and the northwestern States, while many of the …

A better opportunity was thus affi)rded to ascertain the character and extent of the historical archives which had remained so long in great disorder, and almost inaccessible. Measures were afterwards taken by Mr. Secretary Morgan to have these old papers properly arranged and bound ; and more than two hundred large folio volumes of original documents were accordingly prepared …

E. B. O'Callaqhan, which, on the 5th of January, 1849, the Legislature ordered to be printed. In the following April, the Legislature directed the Secretary of State to cause to be printed a second volume of what was styled the " Documentary History" of New -York. Of this work, four volumes, in all, have been published. They contain a miscellaneous compilation, among which are …

The manuscript documents relating to the Colonial history of this State, now in the office of the Secretary of State, which were procured under and by virtue of an act of the Legislature, passed May 2, 1839, entitled ' An act to appoint an Agent to procure and transcribe documents in Europe relative to the Colonial history of this State,' or such portions thereof as the State …

The said State officers shall issue proposals for the printing and binding of such number of copies of said documents as they shall deem advisable to cause to be printed, not exceeding five thousand, in the same manner as proposals are required to be issued for the printing and binding of legislative documents, and shall make a contract for such printing and binding with such …

One thousand copies of said documents, when printed and bound, shall be deposited with the Secretary of State, and one copy thereof delivered by him to each member of the present Legislature, the President of the Senate, clerks and elective officers of the present Senate and Assembly, and twenty-three copies thereof (being one to each) to the several State officers who are …

It became a question whether, under the discretion vested by this law in the State officers therein named, the whole of the documents or a selection of them only should be published. Mr. Brodhead, who was then Secretary of the American Legation at London, and about to return home, offered to superintend the publication of such a selection, if it should be determined upon …

Of these, the first and second were to contain translations of the " Holland Documents ;" the third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth, the " London Documents ;" and the ninth and tenth, translations of the " Paris Documents." The publication of the work was commenced in 1853 by the issue of the third volume, or the first of the English series -- the translation of the …

" The People of the State of New -York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows "Section 1. The publication of the documents relating to the Colonial history of the State, pursuant to chapter one hundred and seventy-five of the Laws of eighteen hundred and fortynine, shall be completed under the direction of the Regents of the University, who shall hereafter …

Five copies of the said published documents shall be delivered to each member of the present Legislature, and five copies thereof shall be given to each of the clerks, officers and reporters of the present Senate and Assembly, and to the several public officers who are entitled to bound copies of legislative documents. Three hundred copies thereof shall be placed with the …

On inquiry into the progress made in the translations and the condition of the work generally, it was found to be so nearly completed that it was deemed inexpedient by the Regents to attempt any exercise of the discretion vested in them under the second section of the act of the Legislature. All that remained for them to do was to superintend the residue of the publication …

The Resolutions have, of course, only one date ; but most of the papers and memorials presented to the States being the subjects of Resolutions of that body, there is a memorandum of the day of reception marked on each, which corresponds with the date of the Resolution ; and in this manner each paper has been arranged -- not according to the actual date -- but according to the …

These Registers contain the proceedings of the States General in regard to subjects which it was deemed proper to record in separate volumes, such as treaties, declarations of war, &c., &c. The volume 1609-1615 is missing. 4. Imtructie Boeken. These contain the Instructions issued from time to time to officers and agents of Government. 5. Commissie Boeken. These contain the …

These are files, on which the originals of all general letters and memorials received by the States-General are preserved. Each paper is marked with the day of its date, and of its reception by the States. They are arranged and referred to, according to the latter date. These Liasses also contain drafts of general letters sent by the States. 12. Liasses Admiraletiet …

Resolutien van de Vroedschappen. These books contain the minutes of the Acts, Proceedings and Resolutions of the City Council of Amsterdam. 2. Muniment Register van den Raad. In this series of books are registered, at length, Reports of Committees, and important papers relating to the affairs of the city. One of the volumes -- " Muniment Register B " is not now in the …

Resolution of the States-General appointing Captain Dale to a company of foot 1 December 8. Resolution of the States-General that Captain Thomas Dale's commissiou be expedited 1 December 24. Resolution of the States-General on the subject of Captain Thomas Dale's pay, <tc 2 1606. Kovember 15. Memorandum that Thomas Dale and Sir Thomas Gates were in garrison service at …

Resolution of the States of Holland, &e., upon the memorial of certain merchants about a newly discovered navigation, 4 1614. March 20. Resolution of the States of Holland, upon the memorial of certain merchants, that the States-Genera! be recommended to pass a general ordinance in favor of all those who discover new lands, &c.,. . 4 March 27. Resolution of the States-General …

Resolution of the States of Holland on the subject of a general West India Company, with a draft of an act proposed to be passed by the States-General 8 August 19. Letter of King James I. to the States-General about Sir Thomas Dale, "Marechal de Virginie," *e., dated Newmarket, 9 September 30. Resolution of the States-General upon the foregoing letter, to allow Sir Thomas Dale …

August Minute of the appearance, before the States-General, of Captain Cornelia Hendricksen, <tc., in behalf of Gerrit Jacobsen Witssen and others, Directors of New Netherland, and of his submitting his second report of certain discoveries he had made in New Netherland, in a small yacht of eight lasts burthen, called the Onrust, which the Directors had caused to be built …

Minute of the presentation to the States-General of a memorial of Lambrecht van Tweenhuysen and others, praying the government for a ship of war, to encourage the fishery, &c., at Terra Nova, etc., a decision upon which is postponed, July Resolution of the States of Holland upon the petition of the Directors of the Australian Company, prohibiting William .Tanssen from printing …

Minute of the States-General, postponing a final resolution upon the report of the Council of State upon Captain Dale's petition February 6. Resolution of the States-General upon Captain Dale's petition, February 9. Resolution of the States-General, that their determination upon Captain Dale's petition be put into the hands of the Council of State, in order to be carried into …

CONTENTS. liii 1620. Page. February 26. Resolution of the States-General, upon the report of the Acimiralty, that before coming to any decision upon the subject of the foregoing petition, the opinion of the Prince of Orange, be taken 23 March 10. Resolution of the States-General, upon the same subject 24 April 10. Further resolution of the States-General, theieupon 24 April …

Resolution of the States-General, referring to the Admiralty of Zealand the petition of Henrick Allarts, and others, for permission to send a ship to New Virginia, 26 September 15. Resolution of the States-General, allowing Henrick Eelkens, and others, to send their ship, the Wilte Duive, to Virginia, Ac, 26 September 24 Resolution of tlie States-General allowing Dierck …

Resolution of the States-General, upon the further request of Sir Dudley Carleton, to come to some decision upon his Proposition about Virginia -- to look for the same, and also for what has been printed in Amsterdam on this subject 28 June 18 Resolution of the States-General upon the petition of Claes Jacobsen Haringcarspel, and others, for an extension of time, etc, to …

Extract of the journal of Messrs. Van Aerssen and Joachimi, the Ambassadors to England, <fec., 33 October 14. Minute of the report made to the States-General by the Directors of the West India Company, 34 1625. May 6. Resolution of the States-General admitting Mr. Sch.agen to a seat as a Deputy from Holland, etc. 36 1626. September 4. A statement of the property and effects of …

Patent to Kiliaen van Rensselaer for cert.iin lands, Ac, signed by Peter Minuit and his Council April April April CONTENTS. Iv 1633. Page. Nov. l-Y. Various depositions of the sailors, <fec., belonging to the English ship sent to the Hudson river, giving details of the conduct of the officers of the West India Company in New Netherland 72 1634. June 13. Resolution of the …

Answer of the West India Company to the pretension and claim of the Patroons of New Netherland,. 89 June 22. Replication of Messrs. Pauw, <tc., Patroons of New Netherland, to the answer of the West India Company, 89 June 24. Resolution of the States-General, postponing a decision on the differences between the West India Company and the Patroons, <fcc., for twelve days, in …

Resolution of the States-General upon the report of the committee appointed to consider the difficulties that have arisen between the English and the West India Company in New Netherland 95 Draft of a new project of Freedoms, Privileges and Exemptions, to be granted by the States-General to all such Dutch subjects as may be thought qualified to become Patrooas, Ac, in New …

Extract from the Pointen van Beschryving, for the meeting of the West India Company on 8th December, 102 lesY. April 3. Letter of Mr. van Beveren, Ambassador at London, to the States-General concerning the French fisheries at Terra Nova, Ac 103 April 30. Resolution of the States-General upon the further memorial of Lubbert van Dinclagen to write seriously to the XIX. of the …

Letter of the States-General to the meeting of the XIX. of the West India Company, about the complaints of the English concerning New England, &c., 137 November Y. Resolution of the States General, upon the report of the Deputies of their High Mightinesses to the meeting of the XIX. of the West India Company, in September 137 November 24. Resolution of the States-General …

Resolution of the States-General to send copies of the above letter of tlie West India Company, <tc., to the different Provinces, Ac, <fco., 142 October 1. Report to the States-General by the Deputies who attended the meeting of the West India Company ia April 142 October 8. Letter of Mr. Spieringh, the Swedish Minister, to the States-General, complaining of the exaction of …

Report upon the affairs of New Netherland, presented to the West India Company by the General Board of Accounts, 149 1645. April 21. Letter of the States-General to the XIX. of the West India Company, about the complaint of the Swedish Minister concerning the detention of the ships Calmersleutel and Fama, coming from New Sweden, &a., 166 July 12. Report to the States-General …

Extract from the Pointen, <tc, for the meeting of the West India Company on 2d September, 1645, 163 October 16. Extract from the proceedings of the meeting of the XIX. at MiJdIeburg, from the 9lh of September to the 16th October, 1645 163 . Iviii CONTENTS. 1646. Pagk. May 26. Letter of the Amsterdam Chamber of the "West InJia Company to the States-General, about a ship …

Stuyvesant's commission, <fec., 177 July 28. Minute of the appearance of Peter Stuyvesant, Director of New Netherland, <fec., before the States- General, and of his taking the oath, etc., &c., 177 July 28. Commission of Mr. Peter Stuyvesant as Director-General of New Netherland, ic, Ac 178 July 28. Minute of the appearance before the States-General of Lubbertus van Dinclagen …

Letter of the Ei^ht Men at the Manhattans to the Assembly of the XIX., 1 90 Resolution adopted by the commonalty of the Manhattans, 191 Certificate of the election of the aforesaid Eight Men, 192 Petition of Maryn Adriaensen and others, for leave to attack the Indians, 193 February 25. Commission to Maryn Adriaensen to attack the Indians at Corlaers Hook 194 March 27; 28 …

Letter of the Eight Men of the Manhattans to the Amsterdam Chamber of the West India Company, describing the sad condition of New Netherland and complaining of Director Kieft 209 1647. July 25. Judgment of Director Stuyvesant, banishing Jochem Pietersen Cuyter from New Netherland, 213 1648. January 18. Resolution of the States-General upon the proposition to throw open the …

Resolution of the States-General, referring a further petition of the guardians of Van Rensselaer, <tc.,. . 325 Answer of Cornells vai Tienhoven, Secretary of New Netherland, &c., to'the appeal of Cornells Melyn from the sentence of the Director and Council there, Ac, <fec., 325 December 13. Resolution of the States-General, referring the above memorial, Ac, 326 December 13 …