Blacks Law Dict. 1st ed

SECONDARY EVIDENCE

1071

SECT

which presuppose some other conveyance precedent, and only serve to enlarge, confirm, alter, restrain, restore, or transfer the interest granted by such original conveyance. 2 Bl. Comm. 324. Otherwise termed "derivative conveyances," (q. t>.) SECONDARY EVIDENCE. That species of evidence which becomes admissible, as being the next best, when the primary or best evidence of the fact in question is lost or inaccessible; as when a witness details orally the contents of an instrument which is lost or destroyed. SECONDARY USE. A use limited to take effect in derogation of a preceding es tate, otherwise called a "shifting use," as a conveyance to the use of A. and his heirs, with a proviso that, when B. returns from India, then to the use of C. and his heirs. 1 Steph. Comm. 546. SECONDS. In criminal law. Those persons who assist, direct, and support oth ers engaged in fighting a duel. SECRET COMMITTEE. A secret com mittee of the house of commons is a commit tee specially appointed to investigate a cer tain matter, and to which secrecy being deemed necessary in furtherance of its ob jects, its proceedings are conducted with closed doors, to the exclusion of all persons not members of the committee. All other committees are open to members of the house, although they may not be serving upon them. Brown. SECRET EQUITY. An equitable claim or right, the knowledge of which has been confined to the parties for and against whom it exists, or which has been concealed from one or several persons interested in the sub ject-matter. SECRET LIEN. A lien reserved by the vendor of chattels, who has delivered them to the vendee, to secure the payment of the price, which is concealed from all third per sons. SECRET PARTNERSHIP. One where the existence of certain peisons as partners is not avowed to the public by any of the partners. 49 N. H. 225. SECRET TRUSTS. Where a testator gives property to a person, on a verbal prom ise by the legatee or devisee that he will hold it in trust for another person, this is called a "secret trust." Sweet.

SECRETARY. The secretary of a cor poration or association is an officer charged with the direction and management of that part of the business of tbe company which is concerned with keeping the records, the offi cial correspondence, with giving and receiv ing notices, countersigning documents, etc. The name "secretary" is also given to several of the heads of executive departments in the government of the United States; as the "Secretary of "War," "Secretary of the Interior," etc. It is also the style of some of the members of the English cabinet; as the "Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs." There are also secretaries of embassies and legations. SECRETARY OP DECREES AND INJUNCTIONS. An officer of the En glish court of chancery. The office was abol ished by St. 15 & 16 Viet. c. 87, § 23. SECRETARY OP EMBASSY. A dip lomatic officer appointed as secretary or as sistant to an ambassador or minister pleni potentiary. SECRETARY OF LEGATION. An officer employed to attend a foreign mission and to perform certain duties as clerk. SECRETARY OF STATE. In Amer ican law. This is the title of the chief of the executive bureau of the United States called the "Department of State." He is a member of the cabinet, and is charged with the general administration of the interna tional and diplomatic affairs of the govern ment. In many of the state governments there is an executive officer bearing the same title and exercising important functions. In English, law. The secretaries of state are cabinet ministers attending the sovereign for the receipt and dispatch of letters, giants, petitions, and many ot the most important affairs of the kingdom, both foreign and do mestic. There are five principal secretaries, —one for the home department, another for foreign affairs, a third for the colonies, a fouith for war, and a fifth for India. Whar ton. SECRETE. To conceal or hide away. Particularly, to put property out of the reach of creditors, either by corporally hiding it, or putting the title in another's name, or otherwise hindering creditors from levying on it or attaching it. SECT. "A religious sect is a body oi number of persons united in tenets, but con' stituting a distinct organization or party* fef

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