(A) government. An officer who is placed near the sovereign, and is invested with the administration of some one of the principal branches of the government. 2. Ministers are responsible to the king or other supreme magistrate who has appointed them. 4 Conn. 134. (B) international law. This is the general name given to public functionaries who represent their country abroad, such as ambassadors, envoys, and residents. A custom of recent origin has introduced a new kind of ministers, without any particular determination of character; these are simply called ministers, to indicate that they are invested with the general character of a sovereign’s mandatories, without any particular assignment of rank or character. 2. The minister represents his government in a vague and indeterminate manner, which cannot be equal to the first degree; and be possesses all the rights essential to a public minister. (C) eccles. law. One ordained by some church to preach the gospel. 2. Ministers are authorized in the United States, generally, to marry, and are liable to fines and penalties for marrying minors contrary to the local regulations. (D) mediator. An officer appointed by the government of one nation, with the consent of two other nations, who have a matter in dispute, with a view by his interference and good office to have such matter settled.
Law Dictionary – Alternative Legal Definition
In public law. One of the highest functionaries in the organization of civil government standing next to the sovereign or executive head, acting as his immediate auxiliary, and being generally charged with the administration of one of the great bureaus or departments of the executive branch of government Otherwise called a “cabiuet minister,” “secretary of state,” or “secretary of a department”
In international law. An officer appointed by the government of one nation as a mediator or arbitrator between two other nations who are engaged in a controversy with their consent, with a view to effecting an amicable adjustment of the dispute.
A general name given to the diplomatic representatives sent by one state to another, including ambassadors, envoys, and residents.
In ecclesiastical law. A person ordained according to the usages of some church or associated body of Christians for the preaching of Che gospel and filling the pastoral office.
In practice. An ofllcer of justice, charged with the execution of the law, and hence termed a “ministerial officer ;n such as a sheriff, bailiff, coroner, sheriff’s officer. Britt. c 21.
An agent; one who acts not by any inherent authority, but under another. Foreign minister. An ambassador, minister, or envoy from a foreign government. Cherokee Nation v. Georgia. 5 Pet 56, 8 L. Ed. 25. Public minister. In international law. A general term comprehending all the higher classes of diplomatic representatives, as ambassadors, envoys, residents, but not including the commercial representatives, such as consuls.