Before 1836, foreign relations were managed by the Reis ül-Küttab, who was replaced by a Western-style ministry as part of the Tanzimat modernization reforms.

A large part of the oversized responsibility of this ministry had to do with the prominence of Mustafa Reşid Pasha, whose legacy as long time foreign minister held great inertia.

[3] Many of the "Men of the Tanzimat," statesmen whom defined reorganization and reform efforts during the mid-19th century, had their beginnings in the Translation Office, and would alternate between being Grand Vizier and Foreign Minister: Mustafa Reşit Pasha served as Minister of Foreign Affairs 4 times and as Grand Vizier 6 times.

The second section held old Imperial Council departments handling internal affairs which itself had two departments: the Imperial Council itself: Divan-ı Hümayun Kalemi, which issued and recorded all imperial orders, treaties, letters of the sultan to foreign rulers, officials, and governments, and the sanctioning of travel within and outside the empire; and the Department of non-Muslim Religious Affairs [Mezahib-i Gayr-i Müslüm Dairesi], which was divided by millet and issued orders and communiques from not only the Foreign Ministry but from other ministries in the government.

[4] According to the Corps de droit Ottoman, it was headed by a minister representing the Réis Effendi and a six-member council with sub-secretary of state (mustéchar) leading it.