{"value"=>"<p>The papers contain two unfinished, incomplete, and undated autograph draft histories of the Dutch settlement and development of Albany, ending at different points in the 18th century. Also present is an incomplete autograph manuscript of source notes keyed to the draft history of Albany to 1711, the draft first written, although the sources also support the later draft. Not all draft chapters are represented or complete in the source notes, and some notes refer to pages no longer extant in the draft history.</p> <p>The draft history of Albany to 1711 (chapters 1-14, 93 pages), has a single cancellation line running through it, and appears to be an earlier draft of the following manuscript, a draft history of Albany to 1776 (chapters A-P, approximately 150 pages).</p> <p>The narratives are complementary, but not identical in topical coverage or depth of treatment. Both histories have tables of contents denoting a chronological narrative; some chapters, however, lack content. Chapter titles in the narrative themselves may vary slightly from those in the tables. Both contain references to events occurring after the last chapter's date span.</p> <p>The draft history of Albany to 1711 contains in-depth coverage for the period 1673-1686 (Chapter 12), focusing on the Van Rensselaer patent and the Albany Charter of 1686. By its table of contents title, Chapter 13 (two pages) addresses the period 1686 to 1711, respecting \"the management of the English and French in regard to the Indians and settlers as well as their wars,\" but focuses rather on events in Five Nations history from 1664 to 1758. This is covered more extensively in Chapter G of the Draft history of Albany to 1776. The manuscript lacks content for Chapter 14, covering the period 1701-1711.</p> <p>The draft history of Albany to 1776 lacks narrative for the period 1674 to the 1748 Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle (Chapters H-I, K-M), but carries on with new content (Chapters O-P) for the years 1756-1776. Chapter O draws extensively on material in Yates' journals for the French and Indian War period. Chapter P addresses the boundary dispute between New Hampshire and New York, and then events leading to revolution, from 1763 through the spring of 1776. The table of contents is preceded by a brief preface (2 pages) describing his interest in history and his modest goals in recording his \"researches.\" The manuscript also contains a draft copy of Yates's response (4 pages) to a letter dated 1788 [June?] 23 from an unidentified correspondent. Yates acknowledges receipt of that person's geography book and offers corrections relating to the discovery of the Hudson River and early settlement of Albany. The letter follows blank leaves at the end of the text.</p>"}