SECRETARY OF EMBASSY
(bouvier) | SECRETARY OF EMBASSY or OF LEGATION. An officer appointed by the sovereign
power, to accompany a minister of first or second rank, and sometimes,
though not often, of an inferior rank. He is, in fact, a species of public
minister; for independently of his protection as attached to an ambassador's
suite, be enjoys, in his own rights, the same protection of the law of
nations, and the same immunities as an ambassador. But private secretaries
of a minister must Dot be confounded with secretaries of embassy or of
legation. Such private secretaries are entitled to protection only as
belonging to the suite of the ambassador.
2. The functions of a secretary of legation consist in his employment
by his minister for objects of ceremony; in making verbal reports to the
secretary of state, or other foreign ministers; in taking care of the
archives of the mission; in ciphering and deciphering despatches; in
sometimes making rough draughts of the notes or letters which the minister
writes to his colleagues or to the local authorities; in drawup proces
verbaux; in presenting passports to the minister for his signature, and
delivering them to the persons for whom they are intended; and, finally, in
assisting the minister, under whom be is placed, in everything concerning
the affairs of the mission. In the absence of the minister he is admitted to
conferences and to present notes signed by the minister. Vide Ambassador;
Minister; Suite.
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