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

warfan In 1903, said that lie should consider Secretary
Of States warrant throughout the whole affair nothing
pcrior " the Of common Justice Of the peace
The origin OF tho Office OF Secretary of State and the gta-
dual alterations which took place ut different periods his
powers and authority. afford striking exempfcaon of the
Ia which the English constitution adapts itself 10 cir
camstanccs without the frequent interference Of Legislative
attachments or the violence Of sudden change
Until about the end Of Eizabehs reign this officer
respect member OF the Government his duties being
fined to the royal correspondence and the communication
such Of the soveregns commands were given In writing.
The title of Principal Secretary Of State arose from the
existence Of Secretary for the French language well
one for the Latin language both during and subsequent to
the reign of Henry VIII. In 1889 the first important change
took place in the constitution Of this Office for then the
ties divided between persons bearing the same te
performing analogous functions and entitled to similar rank
but Tor many after the reign OF Elizabeth there but
one Principal Secretary OF States and in the ortyh year
Of that monarch reign the first instance occurred Of this Off
Ger being styled sour Principal Secretary OF Estae Soon
after the union with Scotland the number poiessedly in
creased 70 three by the swearing in Of James Duke Of Queens
berry, who, well his in Office, consider
ed to be Secretaries Of State for Scottish affairs This APP
pontment discontinued, however, in l746 and from
that time till l76s there but two Secretaries. In the
latter year. however, the resignation Of Of the existing
Secreares two were appointed in his place, of whom
was destined TO take charge of American possessions
But BY statute 20 Geo. Ill, chap so, the Office Of Colonial
Secretary was abolished and there remained but two Score
aries till l794 From 794 however, TO the present day.
there have been less than three for the Home
Department. for Foreign Affairs and for the Colonies
Until about the year 1852 it the practice to describe
tue TWO departments, one "northen and the other
southern but about that period these terms discon
tnued and the duties divided into hoe and " foreign Z;
the former Of these performed the Of Colonial Secretary
till separate officer permanently appointed 1884
The northern department used toinclude Germany Denmark
Sweden Poland Russia, &c while the southern included
France, Switzerland, Italy, Spain Portugal and Turkey
The designations at present in of home and foreign
qure no explanation. Ssi ok I'LL x. y
In 1874 the increase of business consequent upon the war
occasioned the appointment Of the right honorable Henry
Dundas, Afterwards Viscount Melville Secretary Of State
for War; Office which be confounded with that Of
Secretary at War; In the year 1901 the occasoned
by the colonies transferred the Secretary OF State for
the War Department and the offices have since ro
manned consolidated, notwithstanding attempt which was
made in 1916 to have this third secretaryshp abolished Mr.
Iierney motion, in the House of Commons this effect
was negatiyed on the ground that although the for which
the Office established had ceascd yet the colonial branch
OF his business sufficiently important and extensive
require the undivided attention Of distinct officer.
Each department includes an extensive establishment of
under secretaries and clerks The business Of the home
partment conducted in Whitehall while the colonial and
foreign Offices are In Downing street. sfss
There altogether six under Secretaries Of State two for
each department One of these is generally member
Of Parliament and is appointed resigns with the political
Office is unaffected by ministerial changes and in the absence
OF the Principal Secretary he is the official representative,
Just as his political colleague the parliamentary organ of the
department to which he belongs f.
secretary ireland subordinate TO the Secretary
of State for the Home Department. for whom he may lie said
to act in all Irish business That Office is present filled by
Mr.. HEsnr l4ABpucnEnE, M. p. for Taunton.
The Secretary at War Is the medium of communication
between the army and the Government of the day. just the
Aduan General is the channel Of intercourse between the
Commanders Chief and the military forces of the country.
HIS department has especial bearing upon the financial
portion OF the Government of the army He is bound to
give effect 70 the orders Of the Commandern Chief SO long
as they are consistent with the known Of the
vice but when they appear likely to occasion OF
expenditure he refers for further Instructions the Treasury
by whose decisions he is bound to abide His duty pre-
the army estimates and lay them before Parliament he
Is always, therefore, member of the House Of Commons.
He occasionally though not always member Of the Cab
net but he is usually privy councillor.
The office was established in 1866 aud the first person
who held the appointment detached from the Secretary
States Office intimately connected were he two depart
mens then considered The gazcng Of military appoint
men and promotions the preparation of the annual utny
bill the framing Of the articles Of war and the investigation
Of complains against the military all fall under his control
This office is discharged by the Right Hon Fox MAUIs
The Chancellor Of the Ercheque. Mr. Gas WooD, M r.
When the bury Sir John Falstaf resolved himself into
committee OF and means the utchin he INTERCEPTED
performed the great duty Of chancellor of the
exchequer-whch is to make statement Of the general
dtion of the finances What money in my purse !" is
important question, both individuals and nations it
that question which the Chancellor of the Exchequcr has
really to answer May the Wings escape that deficiency
with which Sir John, like many other great men,
IL
herit from Sir X. Peel
The Chancellor Of the Exchequer lord Of the treasury
and must always be member Of the lower House the peers
not having the power OF altering, amending, originating
measures involving the expenditure Of public money.
Among the duties of the Chancellor of the Exchequer is
that OF making each year general statement the financial
condition Of the country This speech technically termed
the budget and embraces of the income and ex-
pendtue Of the last year. compared with those of preced
ing years remarks upon the financial prospects Of tho
try an exposition of the intended repeal notification or
imposition OF taxes during the session detail of the public
expenditure during the current PERIOD with grounds Of
justification account Of all operations relating the ma
tona debt and finally, the of income over expend
ture Usa accompanied by such observations as the
occasion may seem 10 require.
On the death Of Chancellor of the Exchcqucr il has
been tho practice 10 commit the cxchequer seal (which he
hods to the custody of the Lord Chief Justice the Queens
Bench.
First Lordcf The admiralty Lord AocKLAsD.
The Board of Admiralty now discharges the duties once
attached to the Office Of Lord High Admiral which was al
ways conferred prince of the blood James the Second
when Duke Of York. filed this post in the reign Of his bro
ther Charles, commanding in person in the Dutch The
last in which the office held by an individual was
that OF the Duke Of Clarence, for short timc 1927 and
1928 The duties had long before that PERIOD and
been ever SINCE performed by number Of lords commits
sioners commonly known the Board Of Admiralty Of
sists Of four usually six Junior lords and two
but the others may have professional connexon with
service All the power and authority vested tho chief
lord and he is TO all ntents and purposes tho lord high adj
other