ongress 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 member 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,
Consuls, and Agents of the United States in foreign countries, and
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 subjects, 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 Governors 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 honor 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, whic