Since the United States was recognized as an independent country in 1783, it first established diplomatic relations with Norway in 1818 when Jonathan Russell was accepted as the Minister Plenipotentiary to Sweden and Norway.

Although each country was fully sovereign, they had a common foreign policy and diplomatic service.

On November 14, 1905, the U.S. State Department instructed Ambassador Charles H. Graves to handle affairs for Sweden and Norway separately and the Ambassador was thus commissioned to Norway equally with Sweden, though he remained in Stockholm.

On August 6, 1906, the embassy in Stockholm ceased all functions related to Norway.

Peirce presented his credentials to the foreign minister of Norway on August 13, 1906.