The Washington times., 1911-07-27
THIS IS BIRTHDAY
ANNIVERSARY OF THE
STATE DEPARTMENT
Important Branch of Gov
enment Born 122
&: Years Ago.

Today Is the one hundred and twenty
second anniversary of the signing by
President George Washington of the act
OF Congress providing for the establish.
ment of the Department of Foreign AT.
fairs (State Department. as an integral
factor Of the Government.
This act was among the first passed
by tho first session of the First Congress
OF the United States under the Consti-
tuition Under its provisions, Thomas
Jefferson was appointed the first Sec
retary of Foreign Affairs. Though ap-
pointed in September of 1859, Jefferson
did not assume his office until April of
the following year.
The State Department was the first Of
the subordinate executive offices Gre
ated. and has consequently always
taken precedence over the other depart
ments- 1t was in practical existence
and operation, though not as a recog-
nized executive branch Of the Govern
ment, for more than ten years preced-
ing the act. for It had its inception in
the days Of the Continental Congress.
Franklin's Mission.
1t was October 26. I774, when Benjamin
Franklin and his colleagues were first
officially deputed to represent the
United Colonies before foreign govern
ments. This was the real beginning Of
the present State Department.
The first effort by the Continental
Congress to establish a foreign service
and a channel through which to con-
duct its business was made November
q, 1775, when the secret Committee of
Correspondence was created by resolu-
ton.
Since that day the State Department
has grown in activity and power until
today 1t has a foreign service that
reaches every quarter of the globe. 1t
was in many ways the work of the
State Department that brought the
United States to the commanding posi-
ton as a world power that it main
talns today.
In April. III, the title of Committee
Of Correspondence was changed to the
Committee on Foreign Affairs. One of
its first members was Benjamin Harri-
Son.
The first treaty ever signed, recogniz-
Ing the independence of the United
States, was the Treaty of Amity and
Commerce and Of Alliance Eventual and
Defensive between the United States
and France, signed at Paris, February
6, 1778. by Benjamin Franklin. Silas
Deane, and Arthur Lee, on the part of |
the United States, and by C. A Gerard |
on the part Of France. Following this |
treaty Gerard came to the United States |
as the first representative of foreign
state. He was styled minister plenipo-
tentiary, and also bore a commission
as consul general.
The first consul Of the United States
was William Palfrey, appointed Decem-
Der 3, 1850, to France.
Plan Reported in 1881.
In January. ISL a plan for the organ
Ization Of the Department Of Foreign L
Affairs was fist reported to Congress-
Il was eventually approved and the new Il
1erartment was first organized August
10 OF the same year. In the meantime
he artl:les of confederation had been
adopted. and the United States had a
'orm of government Robert r. Living
stone, OF New York. was elected the
irst secretary. John Jay was the only
'ther secretary under the Continental
Congress. The organization of tho de-
1artment was rapidly rounded into
working form under their management. |
When the new Government was
crIred under the Constitution, Con-
!resS. after declaring the election Of
President Washington and Vice Presi-
lent Adams. Immediately proceeded to
he question Of providing the proper
Executive machinery. The plan Of op-
rating the old department, developed
nGer Livingstone and Jay. was made
more elaborate. the organization ap-
roved by President Washington 122
oars aGo. being fundamentally that
which is operating in the State De-
today on a much greater
: ale.
The anniversary Of the department
as passed entirely unnoticed and with
ut any celebration. There are hu. few /
1en in the department. from Secretary
HnoX down. who know tkat the pres
Mt department vas instituted by the
t Of Congress, apr roved July q, 17S9. |