The writings of James Madison, comprising his public papers and his private correspondence, including numerous letters and documents now for the first time printed. |
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MONDAY, DECR 2D. |
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 | The writings of James Madison, |  |
MONDAY, DECR 2D.
The Secy of foreign Affairs resigned his office, assigning as a
reason the increase of business in his office of Chancellor of N. Y.,
whereby it was become impossible for him to execute the duties
of both; informing Congress at the same time as a rule for providing
for his successor, that his expences exceeded his salary upwards
of 3000 Dollrs. per annum. The letter of resignation was committed
to Mr. McKean, Mr. Osgood, &c.[10]
Livingston consented to remain until the following May and did in fact serve
until June 4. The office of Secretary for Foreign Affairs was practically
vacant from Livingston's departure until Jay entered upon the duties of the
office September 21, 1784. Livingston, however, expressed a willingness to
return and temporarily resume the office in order to affix his signature to a final
treaty of peace. He wrote to Madison from Clermont, his seat on the Hudson
River, July 19, 1783: "I believe I mentioned to you before I left Philadelphia
that if Congress should make no appointment of a secretary before the
arrival of the treaty it would give me great pleasure to be permitted to sign it
in that character & thus conclude my political career. . . . As the grand
treaty which sets the seal to our independance should not want the usual
forms, & as several little matters may be necessary in consequence thereof,
perhaps they may be induced to recite that their removal & their want of a
full representation having prevented their supplying the place of the late
Secretary for foreign affairs that it would be agreeable to them that he
resume the direction of the department till the ratification of the definitive
treaty."—Mad. MSS.
| The writings of James Madison, | |