Secretaries of Foreign Affairs Under the Continental Congress
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Notice posted on January 12, 2024.
Last
updated March 14, 2024.
The Continental Congress voted on Jan 10, 1781, to establish a Department of Foreign
Affairs; on Aug 10 of that year, it elected Robert R. Livingston as
Secretary of Foreign Affairs. The Secretary’s duties involved corresponding with
U.S. representatives abroad and with ministers of foreign powers.
The Secretary was also charged with transmitting Congress’ instructions to U.S. agents abroad and was authorized to attend sessions of Congress. A further Act of Feb 22, 1782, allowed the Secretary to ask and respond to questions during sessions of the Continental Congress.
- Robert R. Livingston (1781)
- John Jay (1784–1789)