The Department has always regarded the letters as an evil and has sought on several occasions to abolish them. On January 12, 1855, Secretary Marcy said they had "long been discontinued," because diplomatic and consular officers complained that they caused inconvenience and trouble,' but they were resumed thereafter. In 1880 the Department printed the following form letter: Sir: DEPARTMENT OF STATE, 18 and to I have the honor to reply to your request of the for an introductory letter for inform you that the practice of the Department for many years has restricted the issuance of such letters to those departing from this country in connection with official business, or who occupy positions of high public responsibility. This rule has in recent years been temporarily relaxed in favor of private citizens, but the experience so gained has convinced the Department that the former custom is well founded and should be resumed. The passport for travel issued by the Department is fully sufficient to introduce the bearer to any officer whom he may wish to meet, and to secure from him the kindly civilities naturally due to countrymen in a strange land. An additional letter, however, from the Secretary, is too often regarded as suggesting special courtesies from our officers which must involve an expenditure of time and money not contemplated by the laws fixing the duties and salaries of the Consular service. I do not, therefore, feel at liberty to supply you with other 1 Quoted in Moore's Digest, IV, 785. papers than the enclosed blank applications and directions, which may be of service to you should a passport be desired. I have the honor to be, Sir, Your obedient servant, This was followed by a circular instruction to our officers abroad: DEPARTMENT OF STATE, WASHINGTON, April 25, 1881. To the Diplomatic and Consular Officers of the Gentlemen: United States. Letters of introduction in favor of American citizens traveling abroad will hereafter only be issued to officers of the government, or in cases where some special reason may make it the interest of the Department to commend some one to your consideration for a particular purpose. The practice of granting general introductory letters to facilitate travel will be discontinued. With regard to outstanding letters of introduction, I have to observe that personal commendation to your courteous attentions is not to be construed as importing any claims to the hospitalities of the representatives of the United States abroad, or as requiring more than the kindly civilities which are naturally due to countrymen in a strange land, and which it is presumed they uniformly receive at your hands. For such purpose, a passport, or evidence of citizenship and identity is thought to be sufficient. Under no circumstances is it intended that the recommendation of the Department should entail any charge on you, or constrain you to render personal service to a visitor to the detriment of the business of your office. I am, gentlemen, Your obedient servant, Nevertheless the free issuance of the letters was soon resumed and has continued since. Because of improper use of the letters in commercial enterprises, the following instruction was sent: LETTERS OF INTRODUCTION. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, February 14, 1910. To the Diplomatic and Consular Officers of the Gentlemen: United States. In the course of its routine business the Department not infrequently issues, at the instance of members of Congress or other gentlemen well known to it, letters introducing to the diplomatic and consular officers persons going abroad in the interest of private American enterprises. These letters are general in character and call for no service by the diplomatic and consular officers other than they are required under standing instructions to give to all American citizens whether possessed of one of these letters or not. It is not intended by such letters to give the Department's specific endorsement to the enterprises in the furtherance of which the bearers go abroad, or that diplomatic and consular officers should regard themselves as instructed to give active support to the projects. This is especially true when rival American interests may clash in the same channels. It is the expectation of the Department that all reputable American promoters should have equal opportunity to advance their their respective interests, and that no one shall be accorded by its diplomatic and consular representatives preference over American competition. Diplomatic and consular officers will understand, and will act accordingly, that when it is the desire of the Department that they should aid officially or personally in the promotion of any particular undertaking on the part of the citizens of the United States, separate instructions specifically authorizing and directing them to do so will be issued by the Department. Should circumstances so suggest, the instructions of the Department may be sought. I am, Gentlemen, Your obedient servant, PC KNOX CHAPTER XVI TREATIES. EXTRADITION. CLASSIFICATION OF CORRESPONDENCE. DISTRIBUTION OF DUTIES TH HE most important diplomatic function of the Department is that of making treaties-those agreements with foreign Powers which regulate our international relations and are, under the Constitution, "the supreme law of the land." Rules for negotiating them are an important section in works on international law, and will not be repeated here, except as they are a part of the executive duties of the Department. Indian treaties, it should be remarked, of which formerly many were made, were never negotiated by the Secretary of State, but by special commissioners acting for the President under the War Department, which had control of Indian affairs until the Department of the Interior took over the business. They were filed with the Department of State, however, as the other laws are. There have been no Indian treaties made since the Act of March 3, 1871, which forbade further recognition of Indian tribes or nations as independent Powers. Postal conventions with foreign governments were negotiated by the Secretary of State, until the Act of June 8, 1872, required that they be made by the |