Secretary of state

In American law

This is the tide of the chief of the executive bureau of the United States called the "Department of State." He is a member of the cabinet, and is charged with the general administration of the international and diplomatic affairs of the government. In many of the state governments there is an executive officer bearing the same title and exercising important functions. In English iaw. The secretaries of state are cabinet ministers attending the sovereign for the receipt and dispatch of letters, grants, petitions, and many ot the most important affairs of the kingdom, both foreign and domestic. There are five principal secretaries,—one for the home department, another for foreign affaire, a third for the colonies, a fourth for war, and a fifth for India. Wharton.