Department of State," which was followed by "A List of Books Received at the Library of the Department of State, July 1-October 30, 1886, with References to International Treaties and Articles on Subjects Relative to the Law of Nations and Diplomacy in Magazines Received During the Same Period." The third, fourth, and fifth issues of these lists included indexes of the publications of the second session of the Forty-ninth Congress which concerned the Department of State. These publications were discontinued, owing to the insufficient clerical force at the library's disposal. A new series has, however, been recently inaugurated, the title of the first number being "A List of Books and Pamphlets Received at the Library of the Department of State, by Purchase, Exchange, and Gift, during the Period from May 27, 1892, to October 1, 1892, Supplemented by a List of Periodicals and Newspapers Now Currently Received." The first issue appeared in October, 1892.

As the repository of the historical records of the Government, this Bureau has in its custody the principal papers relating to the Revolutionary War. The records of the Continental Congress were turned over to the Secretary of State under the law creating the Department of Foreign Affairs. They include the secret journals, committee reports, letter books, etc.

There are deposited here, also, the Declaration of Independence, Articles of Confederation, and the Constitution of the United States, besides all the treaties made by this Government with foreign powers. In 1834, by Act of June 30, the Secretary of State was authorized to purchase the manuscript papers and books of George Washington for $25,000, and fifteen years later an Act (March 3, 1849) appropriated $20,000 for the purchase of the remainder of the Washington collection. The Act of May 31, 1848, added the Madison papers, bought for $25,000, to the collection; and August 12 of that year $20,000 was appropriated for the

purchase of Jefferson's manuscript papers. March 3, 1849, $20,000 was appropriated for the purchase of the Monroe papers. All of these historical papers are in the custody of the Bureau of Rolls and Library.

All payments of moneys under the Department's control are under the supervision of the Bureau of Accounts. It is described as follows:*

The work is of such a nature as to require separation into three distinct divisions, viz.:

1. Matters of accounts relating to the Department proper; 2. Matters relating to international indemnities;

3. Examination and regulation of diplomatic and consular accounts.

*

*

*

*

*

All disbursements on account of the Department of State are made by the Chief of this Bureau, who is the disbursing clerk of the Department.

The accounts of ministers for salary and contingent expenses, the salary accounts of secretaries of legation and chargés, the accounts of consuls for contingent expenses, clerk hire, compensation of interpreters, and guard, &c.,

*Methods of Business in the Executive Departments, III, 17 et seq.

and all special accounts of ministers and consuls for expenses incurred in pursuance of special authorization or by reason of emergencies in the service, are required to be approved by the Secretary of State before being admitted to settlement by the accounting officers of the Treasury. The Secretary's approval is not given until he has ascertained by means of an examination in this Bureau that the accounts are in every detail in accordance with law and regulations.

The entire telegraphic correspondence of the Department of State is conducted by the clerks of this Bureau. *** The greater portion of these messages in quantity, though not in number, is in cipher.

This Bureau, as we have seen before, is also in charge of the distribution of the Federal Laws, and it also receives whatever funds come from the issuance of passports.

The granting of passports to American citizens for their protection in traveling abroad was a function which fell to the Government under the general provisions of international law as soon as there was competent authority

*Ante, p. 167.

for the purpose. Naturally, it came under the supervision of the Department of Foreign Affairs and afterwards of the Department of State, but for some years it was not wholly within the Department's charge.

The treaty of 1778 with France provided for the form of passport to be given by the two Governments to their respective vessels; but there was no law at that time relative to the granting of passports to individuals, nor would a passport, if issued, have proved a protection, as no power, except France, had as yet acknowledged the independence of the United States.

After the peace passports were issued; and by Act of Congress approved April 30, 1790, it was provided that, if any person should violate a safe-conduct or passport issued under the authority of the United States, he should, upon conviction, suffer fine and imprisonment. Passports being issued only to American citizens, the Department necessarily required some evidence of citizenship. This was usually a certifi