William Taft actually said...

Recourse to private letters to the Secretary of State or other officers of the Department of State upon topics relating to the official busi...

Despatches regarded as especially of a reserved or secret nature should be conspicuously marked 'Confidential' on the top of the first page.

All communications to the Department of State should be addressed to the Secretary of State.

Despatches should be written on one side only of single-sheet despatch paper.