mitted to
him by the president relating to foreign intercourse. Some of these
duties have been mentioned. (Chap. XXXIX, Sec.6.) He conducts all our
diplomatic correspondence, being the official organ of communication
with the ministers of foreign governments sent to this country, and with
our ministers abroad. _Diplomacy_ signifies the rules and customs which
govern the intercourse of nations through their ministers or agents;
also the management of the business of a nation by its minister at a
foreign court. And such minister, especially if he manages with ability
and skill, is called a _diplomatist_.

Sec.4. The secretary of state keeps the seal of the United States; and he
makes out, records, and seals all civil commissions to officers
appointed by the president and senate, or by the president. His duties
in relation to the publishing and distributing the laws, and certain
other matters, are similar to the duties of a secretary of state of a
state government.

Sec.5. The _secretary of the treasury_ has charge of the finances of the
nation. He superintends the collection of the revenue, and performs
certain other duties of the nature of the controller or auditor of a
state. (Chap. XIII, Sec.3.) He lays before congress annually a report of
the finances, containing a statement of the public revenue and
expenditure during the past year, the value of the imports and exports,
and estimates of the revenue and expenditures for succeeding years, and
plans for improving the revenues. He also makes annually a statement of
appropriations of money, and of sums remaining, in the treasury.

Sec.6. The vast amount of business in this department requires a great
number of assistants; among whom are several controllers and auditors of
accounts; a treasurer, a register, who keeps the accounts of goods
imported and exported, and of the shipping employed in our foreign
trade; a solicitor; a recorder; and numerous clerks.

Sec.7. The _secretary of the interior_ superintends the business relating
to the public lands, public buildings, the lead mines and other mines of
the United States, Indian affairs, patents, and pensions. A _pension_ is
a yearly allowance to a person by the government for past services. In
this country pensions are granted for services in war. They were at
first allowed only to such as had been disabled in the war of the
revolution and in the war of 1812; and subsequently to all who had
served at least six months in