[shortt] historical PUBLICATIONS 105 



the soundness of these analyses. It is desirable, of course, that there 

 may be as little dispute as possible as to what it is that history teaches 

 with reference to this or that problem. It is necessary, therefore, 

 not only to set forth a conscientious view of historical facts, but, as 

 far as possible, the actual documents, or at least the most important 

 of them, arranged in such a manner that they may be the most readily 

 accessible, not only at large, but in their natural historical relations 

 with each other, in point of time, place, and similar interests. It is 

 the object of the Board of Historical Publications to furnish in the case 

 of Canada such first-hand historical material in the most readily 

 available form. 



The publications of the Board have no special appeal to make, 

 and no special message to deliver. Actual national life presents many 

 conflicting ideals, many rival interests, and many different programmes 

 of action, and therefore a great variety of actual experiences. Some of 

 these gain the ear of the majority at one time, some at another. Many 

 ideas are broached but lie dormant, sometimes forgotten, sometimes 

 kept alive by a few ardent disciples. Then may arise special crises 

 and reactions from more popular courses which have disappointed 

 the expectations of the majority. Suddenly propositions long held as 

 mere theories, or more recently formulated, step into the street and 

 become the main-springs of action. Obviously, an adequate docu- 

 mentary history will present all these conflicting measures without 

 favour or bias, leaving to the teacher, the student, or the intelligent 

 reader to reach his own conclusions as to their validity or significance. 

 They do at least furnish the record of experience — the basis of all wis- 

 dom. 



Owing to the peculiar relations which Canada bore to the mother 

 country, both as a French and as an English colony, and the necessity 

 for a constant interchange of information and instructions, special 

 facts, views, and interests, there was produced and accumulated a 

 remarkable body of documentary records embodying the chief facts 

 of Canadian history. There is a greater variety than might be ex- 

 pected, in the presentation of the facts and views, since there were 

 several effective channels, public and private, through which these 

 might be presented and appeals made to the imperial authorities. 

 Thus in the long run most currents of colonial life were repiesented in 

 one form or another, whether for approval or condemnation, in 

 criticism or defence. Much local material, considerable private cor- 

 respondence, and many descriptive accounts of the country and the 

 condition of the people have been preserved and recovered. Early 

 newspapers and pamphlets, though many of them rare or unique, and 



