laneous correspondence relating to those countries. Division B is in charge of correspondence with the Argentine Republic, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Haiti, Italy, Paraguay, Peru, Portugal, Russia, Santo Domingo, Spain, Sweden and Norway, Uruguay, and Venezuela, and miscellaneous correspondence relating to those countries. Division C is in charge of correspondence with the Barbary States, Central America, China, Fiji Islands, Hawaiian Islands, Japan, Liberia, Madagascar, Maskat, Mexico, Navigator's Islands, Persia, Siam, Society Islands, Turkey, and other countries not assigned, and miscellaneous correspondence relating to those countries.

Although not a part of its regular duties, the preparation of the volumes known as "Foreign Relations" falls usually to some official of the Diplomatic Bureau. Tracing this publication from the beginning of the Government, it will be found that the first one that put into available shape the diplomatic records of the Govern

ment was the series of volumes entitled "The Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution," edited by Jared Sparks under resolution of Congress of March 27, 1818. This was, however, a private publication, with official sanction. It was followed by "The Diplomatic Correspondence of the United States of America, from the signing of the Definitive Treaty of Peace, 10th September, 1783, to the adoption of the Constitution, March 4, 1789," compiled under the direction of the Secretary of State from the original manuscript in the Department, conformably to an Act of Congress approved May 5, 1832. Twelve thousand dollars were appropriated to defray the expenses.

In 1827, John Quincy Adams being President and Henry Clay Secretary of State, the first issue of "Foreign Relations" was printed. It has been a continuous publication ever since. There had been no regular publication before that, covering the period from the adoption of

the Constitution, what printed records there were being scattered among the various Congressional publications. The volume of 1827 of "Foreign Relations" contained the President's message to Congress and selected correspondence between the Secretary of State and our legations and the ministers of foreign powers resident in this country illustrative of our relations with the rest of the world. It also embraced reports relative to the domestic affairs and workings of the Department of State. The volume was printed, as it has been ever since, by order of Congress, under the supervision of the Secretary of State. Since its inception, the plan of this publication has not varied materially; but it has become more purely a work relating to our foreign affairs than it originally was.

It may be said that the general rules and practices that govern our diplomatic and consular corps are found in the various works on international law, and these cover even minute

matters of form and routine; but there has gradually grown up an American construction of international law, and several efforts have been made in the Department of State to make this available in a convenient shape to persons interested. The first of these attempts was the volume issued in 1877 under the supervision of John L. Cadwalader, Assistant Secretary of State, entitled "Digest of the Published Opinions of the Attorneys-General and of the Leading Decisions of the Federal Courts, with reference to International Law, Treaties, and Kindred Subjects." This book was followed in 1886 by the comprehensive work of Francis Wharton, LL. D., "A Digest of the International Law of the United States, Taken from Documents Issued by Presidents and Secretaries of State, and from Decisions of Federal Courts and Opinions of Attorneys-General," printed in three volumes, to which a fourth was subsequently added as a supplement. Dr. Wharton was, during the preparation of his

work, Solicitor of the Department of State, had access to all the necessary material, and his work has become the reference book and guide of the American diplomatic and consular agents, as well as of the Department itself. Beyond these publications, the manuscript archives of the Department are the sources whence information is drawn to show what previous practice has been.

Correspondence with the Consuls of the United States is under the supervision of the Consular Bureau. The functions of that Bureau were set forth in the report of the Senate investigating committee in 1887, as follows:*

The Bureau is divided into three divisions, as follows: Division A, correspondence with consulates within the dominions of France, Germany, and Great Britain, and miscellaneous correspondence relating thereto.

Division B, correspondence with consulates within the dominions of the Argentine Republic, Austria-Hungary, Belgium, Brazil, Chili, Denmark, Greece, Italy, Nether

*Report of the Select Committee of the United States Senate, under Senate Resolution of March 3, 1887. Washington, 1888, Vol. III, p. 7 et seq.