powers and duties of the head of the department. That section reads:

Shall perform and execute such duties as shall from time to time be enjoined on or entrusted to him by the President of the United States, agreeable to the Constitution, relative to correspondence, commissions or instructions to or with public ministers or consuls, from the United States, or to negotiations with public ministers from foreign states or princes, or to memorials or other applications from foreign public ministers or other foreigners, or to such other matters respecting foreign affairs, as the President of the United States shall assign to said department; furthermore, that the said principal officer shall conduct the business of the said department in such manner as the President of the United States shall from time to time order or instruct.

The Secretary of the department was authorized to appoint a chief clerk, but no provision was made by the act for any other inferior officer or employees. By an act approved September 15, 1789, the designation of the department was changed from that of Foreign Affairs to that of State. The act of September 15 was entitled "An act to provide for the safekeeping of the acts, records and seal of the United States, and for other purposes." It changed the title of the principal officer of the department to Secretary of State.

By this act the duties of the Secretary were greatly enlarged. Under the act establishing the department he could transact only such business as the President might entrust to him relating to foreign affairs, but under that of September 15 he was made the custodian of the acts and resolutions of Congress and of the Great Seal of the United States. He was also required by this act to make out and certify all commissions issued to civil officers appointed by the President. He now attests and affixes the Great Seal to all executive proclamations, to various commissions, and to warrants for the extradition of fugitives