SECRETARY OF STATE, an ancient and important office in the government of Eng land. The oldest record of its existence is in the reign of Henry III., when John Mann sell is described as " secretarius roster." Prior to the restoration. the holder of this office was generally styled the "king's chief" or "principal secretary;" he had the cus tody of the king's signet, and discharged his duties with the assistance of four clerks. Two secretaries are said to have been first appointed toward the close of the reign of Henry VIII. The office, always one of influence, gradually grew in importance. On the union of 1707, Anne added a third secretary of state for Scotland, which office, how ever, was soon done away with. In the reign of George III. there were at first but two secretaries; for a time there was a third for America, but his office was abolished by statute in 1782. While the secretaries were two in number, both equally directed home affairs; to the one were committed the foreign affairs of the northern, to the other of the southern department. Irish affairs belonged to the province of the elder secretary.
There are now five principal secretaries of state, who are respectively appointed for home affairs, foreign affairs, war, the colonies, and India. They are all appointed by the sovereign by the mere delivery of the seals of office, without patent, and are always members of the privy council and of the cabinet. Though each has his own department, he is considered capable of discharging the duties of the others: a'member of the house of commons, if removed from one secretaryship to another, does not thereby vacate his seat.
The secretary of state for the home department has the charge of the maintenance of the internal peace of the United Kingdom, the security of the laws, and the administra tion of justice, so far as the royal prerogative is involved in it. He directs the disposal and employment of the regular troops at home, and provides for the suppression of riots. The militia, yeomanry, and volunteers are entirely under his control. He has the ulti mate supervision of all that relates to prisons and criminals; and numerous statutory powers have been given him regarding police. sanitary matters, the regulation of labor, etc. All patents, licenses, dispensations, charters of incorporation, commissions of the peace and of inquiry, pass through his office. He recommends persons to the sovereign for civil kniolithood, and is empowered to grant certificates of naturalization (q.v.) to foreigners. is the organ of communication between the cabinet and the viceregal fovernment of Ireland, for which he is responsible. and is informed of and advises all the graver measures adopted in that country. His patronage is very considerable, Including the nomination to a large number of judicial offices. Among the powers of the secretary of state is that of comntitting persons on suspicion of treason, a function which, though its legality has been called in question, has been often exercised.
The secretary of state for foreign affairs is the responsible adviser of the crown in all communications between the government and foreign powers. He negotiates treaties, either directly with the foreign ministers resident in the country, or through the British ministers abroad. It is his duty to inquire into the complaints of British subjects resid ing in foreign countries, to afford them protection, and to demand redress for their griev ances. The foreign secretary recommends to the sovereign all ambassadors, ministers, and consuls to represent this country abroad, He grants passports (q..v.) to British sub jects and naturalized foreigners.
The secretary for the colonial department has the supervisign of the laws and cus toms of the colonies, watches over their interests, directs their government, apportions the troops necessary for their defense or police, appoints the governors of the colonies, and sanctions or disallows the measures of the colonial governments; rarely, however, prescribing measures for their adoption.
Each of these four secretaries of state is assisted by two under secretaries of state nominated by himself—one usually permanent, while the other is dependent on the administration in power.
The secretary of state for India, whose office dates from the abolition in 1858, of the double government of India by the court of East India directors and board of control, has the same control over the government of India which was formerly exercised by these bodies, and countersigns all warrants and orders under the sign-manual relating to India. He is. assisted by an under-secretary, who is also a member of the legislature, and loses office with the cabinet, and by a permanent under-secretary and assistant-sec, retary, as also by a council of fifteen members, over whom he presides. Every order sent to India must be signed by the secretary, and all dispatches from governments and presidencies in India must be addressed to the secretary.
There is also a chief secretary for Ireland, resident in Dublin, except during the sib ting of parliament, and tinder the authority of the lord-lieutenant. His office resembles that of a secretary of state, but he is generally called secretary to the lord-lieutenant. He is assistedby an under-secretary.
The secretary of state for war (see SECRETARY-AT-WAR) has the superintendence of all matters connected with the army, assisted by the commander-in-chief, and is respon sible for the amount of the military establishment. He prepares for the royal signature and countersigns commissions in the army, and recommends to the sovereign for the order of knighthood of the bath.