4-5 EDWARD VII., A. 1905 the registers of captains in the early days of the colony, they will no doubt prove of interest. There are also two volumes of extracts from marriage registers, lists of emigrants, and notes on Canadian families. Several volumes relating to Canadian affairs in 1763 are at present amongst the papers of the Chevalier D'Eon. These documents will be examined in the course of a few weeks, and transcripts will be sent to this office. For nine years Mr. Tantet has supervised the work of our copyists in France, and otherwise rendered valuable service, without any remuneration. At the commencement of the year, with the approval of the late Mr. Richard, he intimated to the department that he would be willing to devote a portion of his leisure daily to this work for the modest sum of $500 per annum. Considering the facilities he has of access to records, his past service, and his knowledge of records bearing on our history, the arrangement appears to be advantageous, and it will protect our interests until it may be desirable to carry out more extensive operations in Paris. For the reasons given concerning records in England, the binding and classification of transcripts made in Paris will be done in Canada in future. Plans relatifs à la ville de Québec dans la collection Moreau Saint-Méry. 1. Plan pour la concession demandée par M. Bégon. 2. Plan de la ville de Québec. 3. Croquis de l'église N. Dame des Victoires de la Basse-Ville de Québec. 4. Plan de cette église. 5. Plan du terrain du Palais épiscopal. 6. Plan du terrain et bâtiment de la potasse et Chemin Royal qui aboutit au fleuve Saint-Laurent. 7. Palais de Québec, en novembre 1717. 8. Explication du plan du Palais et des environs, 1743. 9. Plan des casernes. 10. Plan, profils et développement de la Redoute Royale. 11. Plan de Québec en ce qui concerne les religieuses de l'Hôtel-Dieu. 12. Plan de la maison où loge l'Intendant à Québec. 13. Elévation et vue du Fort de la Présentation. Maison de la Brasserie. 14. Plan du terrain du Palais épiscopal. Québec, le 15 octobre 1743. 15. Plan du terrain épiscopal. Québec, le 16 octobre 1743. 16. Plan du rez-de-chaussée et de la Tour du Palais épiscopal. 17. Même plan (Offices). 18. Même plan, (1er étage). 19. Elévation et profil du Palais. Dans le carton C.C.-Cartes et Plans. 1. Plan de la censive de la Paroisse de Québec. 2. Plan du Séminaire de Québec, Canada, 1714. 3. Plan d'un hangar proposé à faire à Québec dans le terrain à côté de la paroisse St. Roch. 4. Plan et profil d'un nouveau magasin à poudre proposé à faire à la ville de Québec à la nouvelle fortification. To take immediate steps to collect, or even to examine all the collections of records bearing upon our history in foreign lands, is not practicable with our present SESSIONAL PAPER No. 18 organization, although the work of the future may be facilitated by the location of records. To whatever period of our history we turn, evidence is forthcoming that new light may be cast on it by old documents. Ultimate history cannot be written at present, but it appears inherent that a definite plan should be adopted regarding research in foreign lands, in order that practical results may be placed in the hands of students within a reasonable time. I believe that this might be accomplished by special efforts being made as soon as possible, to locate records which elucidate the earliest portions of our history. Most of this information is to be found in Italy, Spain and in parts of France. To carry out a systematic plan a certain sum would be necessary for a few years. But I believe it would be a profitable expenditure, and that in the course of time this office would be recognized as the fountain head from which the greater part of the information necessary for the study of Canadian history could be drawn. Of that remote age, the early voyages to our shores-the foundation of our history-there is much to be gathered. Research in Spain, in Italy, and in parts of France, during the last four years, has shown that our knowledge of Jacques Cartier is incomplete. It is gratifying to learn that substantial gains have been made in this field by a Canadian from this Province, who, for several years, has devoted his energy and talent to this interesting epoch. The same archives have yielded the material for the first satisfactory narrative of the Great Trading Companies, whose advent marked a stage in the administration of Canada, when for a time it seemed that this country was destined to become the hunting ground and trade preserve of the wealthy merchant of the mother country. By retaining, if possible, the services of those already familiar with methods of research in foreign lands, we might be able, at a comparatively small expense, to enrich our archives with material for the establishment of our history upon a sure foundation. Having cleared the way, so to speak, attention might be directed with the same care to the elucidation of the reign of Louis XIV, when colonization was seriously undertaken, and the laws of France first took root in Canadian soil. This should be followed by the collection of the records concerning the reign of Louis XV, extending to the first years of British rule. Of this period there is abundance of material to be gathered in England and in France. Work might also be carried on at the same time in England and in Canada regarding the first century of British rule. In carrying out a systematic plan I believe that waste of energy and expenditure would be avoided, as the persons employed would become specialists of the period they undertook to investigate. The action taken by the Government to provide a suitable fire-proof building for the reception and preservation of public records, will permit the removal of all the documents from their repositories. As most of the records are unclassified and imperfectly assorted the whole question will have to be treated de novo. Primarily, a distinction must be made between those documents which may already be considered as historical, and those, comparatively unimportant at present, which will, however, possess interest in the future. When this division has been marked a study of the best method of arrangement will be necessary to meet the requirements of the public. The documents in the office, whether originals or transcripts, are in bound volumes. This system, with a proper index, is convenient for reference. How far this system should be carried out with regard to the documents that are to be transferred to the central office, must be determined before arrangements can be made for fitting up the building in a permanent manner. As this question is of great importance, I beg to suggest that the members of the Commission be invited to discuss 4-5 EDWARD VII., A. 1905 the question in all its bearings, with the person who may be in charge of the Archives at the time, and report to you. I also beg to suggest that a room, suitably divided, be set apart in the new building for the reception of records which are not at the moment strictly public documents, these compartments to be under the charge of the proper officer of the department to which the records belong. It may also be desirable to receive collections of records from public, or private bodies, on conditions similar to those adopted in other countries. Numerous persons interested in research, particularly students and teachers, have expressed regret that they are debarred from access to the archives on account of their occupation, which does not permit them to visit the building during the usual office hours. I therefore think that a useful purpose would be served if the office were open until eight or nine o'clock at least one evening in the week during the winter months. In presenting this brief report of the condition in which I found the records, and of the work that has been accomplished by the office since May last, I desire to thank you for the courteous attention you have given to my suggestions. Whatever progress you may observe to have been made in the work of organization, is due largely to the generous assistance I have received from the Deputy Minister, from the Secretary of the Department, and from the members of the staff of the Archives Branch. |