As before the revolution, the colonies of France and Great Britain were connected by vicinity, by treaty, by trade, and by continual and habitual intercourse with the five nations, and other Indians which occupied this state, we can obtain valuable materials to illustrate this important period, from the libraries and public collections of those countries: 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 bound up in four large folio volumes. This invaluable collection, and the subsequent colonial records relative to Indian affairs, are not now to be found in this state; and they were probably conveyed away by Sir John Johnson, or his agents, at the commencement of the revolution. The loss of these documents would produce a chasm in our history that could not be supplied; and we hope that they may still be retrieved. Our concerns and negotiations with the Indians, since our existence as a state, have not been preserved in regular and complete order. They are scattered among the bureaus of our chief magistrates, or are buried in the voluminous files of the legislature. To obtain materials for the Dutch portion of our history, comprising an interesting period of half a century, we must have recourse to the papers of the Dutch West-India Company, and to the archives of the then government of that nation; to the Dutch records of some of our counties, and in the office of the secretary of state; to the public offices in the neighbouring colonies with whose governments the Dutch had negotiations; and to several books published in the Dutch and Latin languages, relative to this country, and which are scarcely known to us. The darkness which hangs over this branch, may be perceived in the History of NewYork, written by William Smith, a work which skims lightly over this interesting period, leaving it almost entirely unnoticed. To supply that part of our history when we were subject to Great Britain, the most valuable materials may be obtained from various sources. From Chalmers' Political Annals it appears, that there are many manuscripts in the Plantation Office, entitled New York Entries, and New-York Papers. We find, in the catalogue of manuscripts preserved in the British Museum, some writings that refer particularly to this state; and in the catalogue of books belonging to that institution, are preserved many works concerning America, in the Dutch, English, French, Spanish, and Latin languages, affording a fund of information important and inestimable. We also know that there are many interesting books and manuscripts, relative to this country, in the library of the society for the propagation of the gospel in America; and perhaps much important information may be obtained from the public offices in Canada. 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 embalm the memories of the good and the great, may now be drawn from their dark abodes, where in a few years they will be forgotten or lost. Letters of distinguished individuals, fugitive pamphlets, perishable manuscripts, ought now to be obtained and preserved. The time is precious, and not a moment should be lost. The only history of this member of the confederacy is that of William Smith, which is brought down to the year 1732. Is it too much to say, that the most important is the worst or least described part of the union? Anxious as we are to explore these sources of intelligence, and to collect these ample materials, yet we feel that the want of funds presents an obstacle that can only be surmounted by the liberality and public spirit of the legislature. We have done much, and we are willing to do more, in order to preserve the history of the state from oblivion. 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 funds, rich in credit, and rich in resources; and she ought to be rich in liberality and public spirit. Genuine greatness never appears in a more resplendent light, or in a more sublime attitude, than in that buoyancy of character which rises superior to danger and difficulty; in that magnanimity of soul which cultivates the arts and sciences amidst the horrors of war, and in that comprehension of mind which cherishes all the cardinal interests of a country, without being distracted or diverted by the most appalling considerations. We, therefore, most respectfully solicit the favourable notice of the legislature, and we confidently hope that the result will be auspicious to the interests of literature, and to the honour of our country. NEW-YORK, JANUARY, 1814. The legislature, with that liberality which so eminently distinguishes and honours the state of New-York, passed the following acts, at their late session, in favour of this society. Extract from the act, entitled " An Act instituting a Lottery for the promotion of Literature, and for other purposes," passed April 13, 1814. SEC. 10. "And be it further enacted, that it shall be the duty of the secretary of this state to transmit to the NewYork Historical Society, a set of the revised laws, and also of the journals of the present and future sessions of the legislature; and that the said society may, by their agent or agents, have access, at all reasonable times, to the secretary's office and the other public offices of this state, and may cause such documents or records to be copied, without paying office fees, as they may judge proper to promote the ob jects of the said institution." State of New-York, I certify the preceding to be a true extract.— April 29, 1814. ARCH'D CAMPBELL, Dep. Secretary. Extract from the act, entitled "An Act for the payment of certain officers of government, and for other purposes," passed April 15, 1814. SEC. 51. "And be it further enacted, that the managers to be appointed in compliance with the act, entitled " An Act instituting a lottery for the promotion of literature and for other purposes," after the payments are completed according to the several provisions contained in said act, be, and hereby are directed to raise the additional sum of twelve thousand dollars, in the manner directed in and by the aforesaid act, which sum, when so raised, shall be paid to the Historical Society, in the city of New-York, for the purpose of procuring books, manuscripts, and other materials, to illustrate the natural, literary, civil, and ecclesiastical history of America." State of New-York, I certify the preceding to be a true extract. April 22, 1814. ARCH'D CAMPBELL, |