n these matters from time to time, and
receive such instructions from that body as occasion required. It is
to be understood, however, that in this respect they acted only a
subordinate part, for it was customary for the Ministers abroad to
direct their letters to the President of Congress. After having been
read in that Assembly, they were put into the hands of the Committee,
whose business it was to answer them. On account of the absence of the
members, the committee itself was frequently very thin, and sometimes
for weeks together not more than one member was present at the seat of
Government. Hence responsibility rested nowhere, and it is no wonder
that delays, neglect, and ill management were the consequences.

Various causes retarded the adoption of a better system, but chiefly
the warmth of party and internal jealousies, which prevailed within
the walls of Congress for a long time, and too often defeated measures
of essential importance, when there was a probability that they would
throw a new weight of power into a scale of doubtful preponderance. To
this state of circumstances it is in a great degree to be attributed,
that no plan for a regular Department of Foreign Affairs was resolved
upon till the 10th of January, 1781, and that no person was appointed
to fill the office thus created till seven months later. On the 10th
of August, ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON was chosen _Secretary of Foreign
Affairs_, but he did not enter upon the duties of the Department till
the 20th of October.

From this date a salutary change found its way into the management of
Foreign Affairs. To abilities and other qualifications well suited to
the station, Mr Livingston added energy, diligence, and promptitude,
as his numerous letters on a great variety of topics abundantly
testify. We hear no more complaints from the Ministers abroad, that
their letters are forgotten and unanswered, or that they receive no
intelligence nor instructions from home.

The details of the Department were so modified, after he accepted the
appointment, as to embrace Domestic Affairs to a certain extent. He
was to correspond with the President of Congress, the Governors of the
States, the Commander in Chief, and generally with all persons on
topics in any manner connected with the primary objects of his office.
His letters to the American Ministers at Foreign Courts, and to the
French Ministers in this country, have already been printed in the
correspondence of