chief clerk of the department of stat

from Bouvier's Law Dictionary, Revised 6th Ed (1856)
CHIEF CLERK OF THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE. This officer is appointed by the 
secretary of state; his duties are to attend to the business of the ofFice 
under the superintendence of the secretary; and when the secretary shall be 
removed from office, by the president, or in any other case of vacancy, 
shall, during such vacancy, have the charge and custody of all records, 
books and papers appertaining to such department, 
    

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