Document

Duties of Secretary of State

Memorandum from Secretary Knox to Secretary Randolph discussing foreign inquires and the publication of official communications. Knox seeks delineation of bureaucratic responsibilities in matters of foreign correspondence. Argues that the Secretary of State ought to be the "national organ and not merely the executive for foreign commerce," and that therefore it is his duty to answer the inquiries of foreign ministers relative to the publication of official communications.

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Henry Knox

Secretary of State

House of Representatives

If the secretary of state be the national organ and not merely the executive for foreign commerce

is it not in his line to answer the inquires of foreign ministers relative to the publication of official communications

if not to whom is the foreign minister to apply

uninformed whether or not the publication be authorized

humbly conceive that it would be strictly proper to say so.

If the secretary of state be the national organ and not merely the executive for foreign commerce

is it not in his line to answer the inquires of foreign ministers relative to the publication of official communications

if not to whom is the foreign minister to apply

uninformed whether or not the publication be authorized

humbly conceive that it would be strictly proper to say so.

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