In Congress, February 22d, 1782.
On the report of a committee, consisting of Mr Ellery, Mr Randolph, and Mr Eveleigh, to whom was referred a letter of the 25th of January, from the Secretary of Foreign Affairs respecting his department,
Resolved, that the Department of Foreign Affairs be under the direction of such officer as the United States, in Congress assembled, have already for that purpose appointed, or shall hereafter appoint, who shall be styled, "Secretary to the United States of America for the Department of Foreign Affairs," shall reside where Congress, or the Committee of the States, shall sit, and hold his office during the pleasure of Congress.
That the books, records, and other papers of the United States that relate to this department, be committed to his custody, to which, and all other papers of his office, any member of Congress shall have access; provided that no copy shall be taken of matters of a secret nature without the special leave of Congress.
That the correspondence and communications with the Ministers, Consuls, and Agents of the United States in foreign countries, and with the Ministers and other officers of foreign powers with Congress, be carried on through the office of foreign affairs by the said Secretary, who is also empowered to correspond with all other persons from whom he may expect to receive useful information relative to his department; provided always, that letters to Ministers of the United States, or Ministers of foreign powers, which have a direct reference to treaties or conventions proposed to be entered into, or instructions relative thereto, or other great national subjects, shall be submitted to the inspection, and receive the approbation of Congress before they shall be transmitted.
That the Secretary for the Department of Foreign Affairs correspond with the Governors or Presidents of all, or any of the United States, affording them such information from his department as may be useful to their States or to the United States, stating complaints that may have been urged against the government of any of the said States, or the subjects thereof, by the subjects of foreign powers, so that justice may be done agreeably to the laws of such state, or the charge proved to be groundless, and the honor of the government vindicated.
He shall receive the applications of all foreigners relative to his department, which are designed to be submitted to Congress, and advise the mode in which the memorials and evidence shall be stated, in order to afford Congress the most comprehensive view of the subject; and if he conceives it necessary, accompany such Memorial with his report thereon.
He may concert measures with the Ministers or officers of foreign powers, amicably to procure the redress of private injuries, which any citizen of the United States may have received from a foreign power, or the subjects thereof, making minutes of all his transactions relative thereto, which have passed on such occasions.
He shall report on all cases expressly referred to him for that purpose by Congress, and on all others touching his department, in which he may conceive it necessary. And that he may acquire that intimate knowledge of the sentiments of Congress, which is necessary for his direction, he may at all times attend upon Congress; and shall particularly attend when summoned or ordered by the President.
He may give information to Congress respecting his department, explain and answer objections to his reports when under consideration, if required by a member, and no objection be made by Congress.