Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1846-11-07

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General; and Postmaster General +,
The Cabinet is collective phrase used to distinguish
the Ministers OF the highest political rank importance from
the general body of funconaes and heads of Departments
who yacate office matter Of every change
numbers opinion in the House of Commons implyi,o
confidence swami of confidence in ministry The
Cablnet does include than fourth part Of those
who are thus affected by the revolutions Of politics and the
numbers Of the division lists Thus it is possible be Nom
Der Of the Government and have seat in the Cabinet
consequently gain that distinction natural object q
ambition All the higher offices Of the State those that BOAR
the chief responsibility for the conduct Of the public affairs
necessarily give their holders seat in the Cabinet which sell
dom consists Of less than e more than fifteen individuals
They always of the Prvy Council also but there are at
least ten times many members Of that right honorable body
who are not in the Cabinet This is 10 fact select body
IN whom the whole Of the royal authority for the being
vested the other Ministers being considered as subornaes
and the instruments for carrying effect such measures as
the Cabinet may determine upon These measures arc broac
cd dscssed and arranged meetings of the selected few
popularity known as Cabinet councils ; and when they
summoned with unusual frequency il indicates there is more
than ordinary difficulty and danger in aspect Of public af-
fairs, or the critical position of the Cabinet ITSELF The deci
slons are taken BY votes and Minister may find himself
the double difficulty Of being minority in the Cabinet and
in the Legislature at the time such case his res
nation is inevitable Or having majority in Parliament he
may, In the situation, break up the Cabinet" receive
the royal command to form one and select colleagues
more compliant, Or with views with his own
Or, lastly, certain topics may be left what called open
questions that is, when they under discussion each
Minister may vote according his individual opinion upon
Them without regard to his official position But when any
matter is made Cabinet question: it expected that the
whole body will act together and stand fall by the public
decson whatever that may be- We need only add that the
deliberations of the Cabinet strictly secret and its resolves
are frequently unknown, to the colleagues Of this nu
entail council Of ten till they put in execution. But,
like many other secrets they generally mysterious
manner, and become secrets all memorable instance
of this occurred In December last when the Times was able TO
announce TO the world the coming repeal Of the laws
statement that was for time refused belief the credit Of the
journal hanging In the balance till doubt converted into
certainty The Cabinet therefore, it will be understood
the collective wisdom of the Ministry, as Parliament Is
the g collective wisdom" Of the nation.
FIRST Lord of the .Ireasury--LonD Joan RussELI.
The duties performed by the Lord High Treasurer
have, in modern times been divided among board of five
PERSONS styled Lords Commissioners for executing the Office
may has superseded the ancient Office Of Lord High Admi
raj The first Lord of the Treasury always the Prime Min
lister for the time being the head of her Majesty Gov
eminent another is the Chancellor Of the Excheque the
other three simply ssIords Of the Treasury
The Office Of Lord High Treasurer was held as eyery person
during the pleasure of the Crown and was conferred
by letters patent its duties consisted in the of the
Court of Excheque the custody Of the Kings treasure the
appointment of all employed collecting the revenues Of the
Crown and the reguaonof public All these powers
now delegated under letters patent the Commissioners
and the first lord is for all practical purposes Lord High
Treasurer but his ccnnexion with the Court of Exchequer
5 h (.
Killing the Lord High Treasurer during the execution of his
Office is high treason.
The Lord Chanceior--I,onp CorraSuAm
This distinguished unctionary, whose authority is declared
by statute 60 E lS) to be exactly the that Of
Lord Keeper holds his Office during tho pleasure of the
Crown being created by the will of the sovereign and not
necessarily by patent or writ The mere delivery Of The Kings
great seal into his custody constitutes the Lord Keeper but as
Lord Chancellor he usually receives letters patent in addition
The origin of the Is, according Sir Edward Coke
Canceando, account Of his power of canceng the
kngs letters patent when they granted contrary to law
The Office very ancient and said TO be derived from the Ro
empire thence transferred the Roman church and
thus arose Chancellor of a Diocese.
The Lord Chancellor is by prescription, Speaker Of the
Houseof Lords, and by virtue Of his Office member of the
Pnvy Council He appoints all Justices Of Peace though
usually upon the recommendation Of the Lords Lieutenant Of
the several counties He patron Of all ivngs in the gift of
the Crown rated below the value of twenty pounds year
he Is the visitor Of all hospitals and colleges Of royal ounda
ton the general guardian OF all Infants IDIOTS and lunac
and the highest judicial officer in the kingdom When roya
commissions issued for opening the session. for giving the
royal assent TO bills, or for porogung Parliament the Lord
Chancellor always OF the commissioners and reads the
royal speech upon the When the sovereign opens
closes the session person. the Lord Chancellor stands on
the right of the throne and hands the speech
opening terminating the annual abors Of the Legislature
In his person the Lord Chancellor enjoys considerable proec
ton, for II is high treason for any put him TO DEATH
being considered that during the OF his Office he
the immediate representative of the sovereign.
AS oil the great custody
fnctonay is the mode Of his appointment the resumption
or resignation of that instrument constitutes the Chanceors
dismissal or retirement
The title of Lord High Chancellor is also given 10 the
Chancellor for Ireland.
President Of The Couact-THE MARauIs OF LASspowsr
The President OF the Council appointed by letters patent
under the great seal dane bee aco and resigns his Office
with the political party TO which he belongs His duties in
cude attendance the Kings person an officer of State
and he manages all debates in the Council proposes matters
at the soveregns command and reports the resolutions Of the
Council which be agreed to heeupon From the reign
OF Ming John TO that Of Elizabeth he styled Principals
Cdpfdts Consiarius but in that Queens reign the Office
was suspended and the Lord Keeper supplied his place.
Chares revived the Office OCCASION bu, ii subse-
quently remained till the Council was remoIeIed by
Charles H., 1872 since which period has been regularly
occupied by peer Of considerable political Importance
Secretaries Of STATE
The three chief Secretaries Of State are Earl GRtr for
the Colonies Lord PALmEusros, for Foreign Aars and
SIR GEORGE GREr, for the Home Department The nature
Of Their several duties will be suggested by the of the
Offices over which they pcside their rank position and
powers will require little explanation
Though IN modern times has been the practice 10 cntrst
the duties Of Secretary Of State three individuals vet this
division Of labor is only arrangement to facilitate the dis
patch Of public business and the three Secretaries are in
theory but for their duties may be discharged y an in
dvdual and their authority being coorjnate each Is COM
Petent TO execute any Of the functions Of the other two To
the Secretary of State delegated the authority Of the Crown
throughout all our colonial possessions Governors Lieutenant
Governor and other public officers being chosen at his i'm
mediate recommendation To him is entrusted the appoint,
men OF all ambassadors onvoys, other Diplomatic min