The United States Government Manual 1998/1999, Preface, Contents

The United States Government Manual

1998/1999

Office of the Federal Register

National Archives and Records Administration

Revised June 2, 1998

Raymond A. Mosley,

Director of the Federal Register.

John W. Carlin,

Archivist of the United States.

On the Cover: ``Plan of A Projected Castle for Charleston Harbor, So. Carolina'' (from the holdings of the National Archives and Records Administration, Records of the Office of the Chief of Engineers).

This undated ink and watercolor design for an octagonal two-story

``castle'' or fortified enclosure was proposed as part of the defenses guarding the harbor at Charleston, SC. The plans for the upper and lower stories indicate the locations of the embrasures or flared wall openings through which the guns were to be fired. The upper part of the drawing shows the front and rear facades, and the interior space arrangements can be seen near the bottom. This plan, by an unknown artist, was not approved.

The plan is one of nearly 100 drawings on display in ``Designs for Democracy: 200 Years of Drawings from the National Archives,'' a major exhibition in the Circular Gallery of the National Archives Building in Washington, DC, which highlights some of the essential evidence representing 200 years of Federal design. Prepared, commissioned, received, or approved by the U.S. Government, the designs were originally created to support military objectives, provide civilian services, and facilitate the conduct of Government business. They include elegant watercolors, exquisite ink and wash drawings, bold charcoal and pencil sketches, and finely executed engineering details that were created by professional artists, engineers, inventors, draftsmen, or graphic artists, as well as a few inspired citizens.

``Designs for Democracy'' is on display through January 10, 1999.

For information on NARA's holdings, exhibits, and publications, visit the National Archives Internet site at http://www.nara.gov/.

For sale by the U.S. Government Printing Office

Superintendent of Documents, Mail Stop: SSOP, Washington, DC 20402-9328

Preface

As the official handbook of the Federal Government, The United States Government Manual provides comprehensive information on the agencies of the legislative, judicial, and executive branches. The Manual also includes information on quasi-official agencies; international organizations in which the United States participates; and boards, commissions, and committees.

A typical agency description includes a list of principal officials, a summary statement of the agency's purpose and role in the Federal Government, a brief history of the agency, including its legislative or executive authority, a description of its programs and activities, and a

``Sources of Information'' section. This last section provides information on consumer activities, contracts and grants, employment, publications, and many other areas of public interest.

The 1998/99 Manual was prepared by the Presidential and Legislative Publications Unit, Office of the Federal Register. Maxine L. Hill was Team...