Archiving messages in Mail

The volume of messages I have in mail are getting quite large and I wonder is there a way to put them on an external HD that I can get mail to read when I want to see those files. If this is possible I can then delete the messages within Mail and free up some HD space. If this is possible to address such backed up mail what is the procedure for reading backed up file on an external HD. Oh by the way, where are these files stored and what is their name.
Thank you

Thanks I will check it out. I use WIndows at work and I can make pts files then back these up. After which I can delete messages that are not current. If I want to see those files again I can just get Outlook to address them. My HD is getting maxed out, I have a back-up HD but the files on my computer HD are all used a lot. Just wondered If I could squeeze extra space by thinning down Mail files. Best Regards

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