from
Bouvier's Law Dictionary, Revised 6th Ed (1856)
SECRETARY OF STATE OF THE UNITED STATES, government. The principal officer
in the Department of State. (q.v.) He shall perform such duties as shall be
enjoined on or entrusted to him by the president, agreeably to the
constitution, relative to the correspondences, commissions or instructions
to or with public ministers or consuls from the United States, or to
negotiations with foreign states or princes, or to memorials or other
applications from foreign public ministers or foreigners, or to such other
matters respecting foreign affairs as the president of the United States
shall assign to such department. The secretary shall conduct the business of
his department in such manner as the president shall, from time to time,
order or instruct. Act of 27th July, 1789 act of 15th Sept: 1789, s. 1.
Besides these general laws, there are various, others which impose upon him
inferior and less important duties.
2. His salary is six thousand dollars per annum. Act of 20th Feb. 1819.