I don't know whether to dare send a despatch to the State Department, telling what he told me, for fear they'd leak.

And to leak this--Good Lord! Two of the Secretaries were here to dinner, and I asked them if I should send such a despatch.

They both answered instantly: "No, sir, don't dare: _write_ it to the President." I said: "No, I have no right to bother the President with regular business nor with frequent letters." To that they agreed; but the interesting and somewhat appalling thing is, they're actually afraid to have a confidential despatch go to the State Department.
I see nothing to do but to suggest to the President to put somebody in the Department who will stay there and give intelligent attention to the diplomatic telegrams and letters--some conscientious assistant or clerk.

For I hear mutterings, somewhat like these mutterings of mine, from some of the continental embassies .-- The whole thing is disorganizing and demoralizing beyond description.
All these and more are _my_ troubles.

I'll take care of them.