fourth chapter treats briefly of Citizenship and the fifth is devoted to the literature of the subject. There is an Appendix, containing the Regulations governing Examinations for Consular positions, and for the office of Secretary of Embassy or Legation; Regulations governing Appointments and Promotions in the Consular Service; Sample Examination Papers; and a List of the present Diplomatic and Consular Officers. F. V. ix Our Foreign Service CHAPTER I THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE THE Declaration of Independence asserted that the united colonies as independent states possessed "full power to levy war, conclude peace, contract alliances, and establish commerce." As there was no distinct executive head of the government, the foreign affairs of the colonies were conducted by the Continental Congress, at first through a committee known as the "Committee of Secret Correspondence," of which Benjamin Franklin, the first and greatest American diplomat, was chairman; and later through a "Committee for Foreign Affairs." Congress initiated and directed the negotiations, discussed in detail the terms of treaties to be made, and in all cases before a draft or plan of a treaty was sent to our agents abroad, it was adopted by Congress. Under the Confederation, a "Department of Foreign Affairs" was established, with a "Secretary for Foreign Affairs" at its head. The authority of the head of this Department was limited, as he was required to submit to Congress all dispatches and communications from |