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 that could facilitate my labors. " ' The archives of the Netherlands, it is believed, constitute one of the richest depositories of historical information to be found in Europe ; commencing with the period of the Union of Utrecht, in 1579, and extending down to the French Revolution. They are contained in

GENERAL INTRODUCTION. XXV

an immense suite of apartments in the old palace of the Binnenhof and the documents are, ;

in general, very well arranged, though not all equally well preserved. The greater part are contained in parchment-bound volumes, in most instances paged and indexed for convenient reference. They consist, chiefly, of minutes of the proceedings of the States-General, at their ordinary and secret meetings, kept by their Grefficrs, or clerks; in which are entered, in detail, the resolutions of that body on all matters coming before them. These registers commence with the year 1579, and are preserved in an unbroken series from that date. 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 the Secrete and Lokei Kits. These papers have suffered much more from the effects of time and exposure than those in the bound volumes.