As soon as this letter had been read, Congress appointed Nicholas Everleigh, Edmund Randolph, and William Ellery a committee to confer with Livingston.* They made an inventory of the Department: List of Books and papers kept in the office of foreign affairs. Books. 1. Book of Foreign Letters. 2. Book of American Letters. 3. Book of Resolutions of Congress. 4. Journal of daily Transactions. 5. Book of reports made to Congress. 6. Letters of the late Comm. for foreign affairs. 7. A Book containing commissions and Instructions to the ministers at foreign courts. 8. One more do. 9. A Book of the Letters of the Commissioners in France while Mr. Adams was among them. 10. Communications of Monsr. Gerard. II. Do of the Chv. de la Luzerne 12. Letters of Mr. J. Adams 13. Letters of Mr. Arthur Lee. not completed Department of State MS. archives. Papers. 1st Box. 1. Joint Letters from the Commrs. of Congress at Paris. 2. Letters from the Hon. B. Franklin. 3. Letters from the Hon. J. Laurens. 4. Letters from the Hon. J. Laurens. 5. Letters from Mr. T. Barclay. 6. Correspond. betw. Mr. Adams & Count Ver gennes. 2nd Box. 1. Letters from Hon. J. Jay. 2. Letters from the Hon. W. Carmichael. 3. Letters from Mr. B. Harrison. 3rd Box. 1. Letters from Hon. John Adams. 2. Letters from F. Dana, Esq. 4th Box. 1. Letters from Mr. Dumas. 5th Box. 6th Box. 7th Box. 8th Box. 9th Box. 2. Letters from Mr. J. De Neuville. Original papers relative to complaints re- .* *Department of State MS. archives. On their report it was— Resolved, That the department of foreign affairs be under the direction of such officer as the United States in 66 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 members 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 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 sub jects, 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 governours 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 honour 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 occasions 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. He shall answer to such inquiries respecting his department as may be put from the Chair by order of Congress, and to questions stated in writing about matters of fact which lie within his knowledge, when put by the President at the request of a member, and not disapproved of by Congress. The answers to such questions may, at the option of the secretary, be delivered by him in writing. He shall have free access to the papers and records of the United States in the custody of their secretary, or in the offices of finance and war and elsewhere. He may be furnished with copies or take extracts therefrom, when he shall find it necessary. He shall use means to obtain from the ministers and agents of the United States in foreign countries an abstract of their present state, their commerce, finances, naval and military strength, and the characters of sovereigns and ministers, and every other political information which may be useful to the United States. All letters to sovereign powers, letters of credence, plans of |