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From Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Nourse, 11 December 1790
To Joseph Nourse
December 11th. 1790
Sir
In compliance with your letter of November 10th. I have now the honor to enclose you an estimate of the expenses of the Department of State for one year from the 1st. day of January 1791, as nearly as I can foresee them.
I am with great respect &c.
FC (DNA: RG 59, PCC No. 120). Enclosure (same): “Estimate of the expences of the Department of State for one year from the 1st. day of January 1791,” as follows:
| “The Secretary of State’s Salary | 3500 | dolrs. |
| one Chief Clerk | 800 | |
| Three Clerks @ 500 each | 1500 | |
| Clerk for foreign Languages | 250 | |
| Office keeper and Messenger | 200 | |
| Stationary of all kinds | 150 | |
| Firewood | 66 | |
| Newspapers from the different States, supposed 17 at 4 dollars | 68 | |
| A Collection of the Laws of the States to be made, and already begun, suppose |
200 | |
| Gazettes from abroad, & to be sent abroad | 25 | |
| Laws of the United States to be published in five papers at about 100 dolrs. each publication |
500 | |
| Laws of the 2d. Session published in four papers at 118 dollars each |
472 | |
| Office Rent at Philadelphia | 187 | .50 |
| Ditto at New York, supposing the house there not to be let, or if let, the Rent not recovered, for the office is responsible |
150 | |
| Whole amount of the expenses of the Department of State, at home |
8068 | .50 |
| Expenses of the same, as fixed by law, abroad | 40000. | |
| 48,068.50” |
Nourse’s letter of 10 Nov. 1790 (missing) was received on that date (SJL). For a general note on departmental personnel, services, and operating costs for the period 1790–1793, see group of documents at 12 Aug. 1790 (TJ 17: 343–87).