PEOCEEDINGS FOE 1891. XI 



record of county history, and his example was followed by other students throughout the Dominion. 

 Societies like the Quebec Literary and Historical Society, and the Canadian Institute of Toronto, have 

 since their foundation done most meritorious work in this way, and it is encouraging to note that the 

 example of those pioneers in historical researches is being followed by younger associations through- 

 out Canada. The list of societies affiliated with the Eoyal Society is increased this year by the addi- 

 tion of several bodies which have been established expressly for the preservation of local historical 

 memorials. 



The Canadian Institute of Toronto, we are glad to note, is renewing its activity under the most 

 encoui'aging auspices. Its delegate will give you a complete report of the work it has already ac- 

 complished during the past year, and of what it has now in view ; but there are some features of its 

 operations which are deserving of special mention here, since they illustrate the character of the 

 work that every society in Canada should endeavor to achieve. The following from the Secretary on 

 this point will be heard with interest : — 



" A movement to presei-ve the ancient monuments relating to Indian habitation and the settle- 

 ment of the country by its earliest pioneers first took the form of archa3ological research, to which 

 influential aid has been rendered by the Government of the Province of Ontario. This has led almost 

 imperatively to the study of our early history necessitating the collection of documents, public and 

 private, either for preservation in public repositories or for their being coj)ied and published. A 

 summer convention held at Niagara last July was successful in interesting many local historians and 

 afforded them opportunities of making public and recording what would otherwise have passed into 

 folk lore in the next genei-ation. The proposed convention at Penetanguishene will undoubtedly 

 create a like interest in that quarter. The Institute extends an invitation to the members of the 

 Eoyal Society to take part in this convention. There are numerous students of history all over the 

 Dominion who would gladly embrace a well considered plan for the publication of historical docu- 

 ments, and the jireservation of papers jjublic and private now in private possession. Bach year adds 

 to the value of such documents, and the collection of these for publication, if not for preservation, 

 surely should commend itself to the Eoyal Society. The Institute invites the cooperation of the 

 Society in this movement." 



The Quebec Government has done a useful work for some years past in publishing in a handsome 

 and permanent form a large number of documents relating to the government and the history of Canada 

 under the French régime. It is encouraging to all students of our time to find that the important 

 work commenced some time ago by the Government of the Dominion for the collection of Canadian 

 archives in Europe and America continues to be most efficiently conducted. Though not a few who 

 hear or read this report are fully cognizant of the work that has been accomplished, the public gener- 

 ally is not yet so fully informed as it ought to be of what has been and is being done in this way, and 

 it will therefore be useful to give a short summary of the nature and operation of what is now a most 

 valuable branch of the public service. 



The very serious hindrances to the prosecution of historical research in Canada, from the want of 

 anything ajjproaching to the nature of a public record office, led to a strong representation on the 

 subject being made to Parliament in 1871. Immediate action was taken and the Minister of Agricul- 

 ture was empowered to take the necessary preliminary measures towards complying with the prayer 

 of the petition. In 1872 a sum was granted by Parliament, and, after careful consideration, Mr. 

 Douglas Brymner was selected to take the immediate supervision of the service thus determined 

 upon. 



The annual reports submitted by Mi-. Brymner to the Minister of Agi-iculture on the progi-ess 

 made in the collection of documents to form part of the Archives attest the energy with which the 

 work has been conducted. They show that the first important collection obtained was the military 

 correspondence from about 178-1 to 1870, which had been sent to Halifax to be forwarded to the War 



