from
Bouvier's Law Dictionary, Revised 6th Ed (1856)
SECRETARY FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF WAR, government. This officer is appointed
by the president. He is required to perform and execute such duties as
shall, from time to time, be enjoined on or entrusted to him by the
president, agreeably to the constitution, relative to military commissions
or to the land forces, or warlike stores of the United States, or to such
other matters respecting military affairs as the president shall assign to
the department of war, (q.v.) or relative to granting of lands to persons
entitled thereto for military services rendered to the United States, or
relative to Indian affairs. Act of 27th Aug., 1789, 1 Story's Laws, 31.
2. His salary is six thousand dollars per annum. Act of 20th Feb. 1819,
3 Story's Laws, 1720.
3. Various other duties are imposed upon the secretary by sundry acts
of congress. Vide Laws, Index, Departments, &c.; Gordon's Dig. art. 368 to
382.