104 NOMOLOGY. 



Solicitor General, is a lawyer specially appointed by the executive, 

 to manage causes in which the government is a party directly con- 

 cerned. 



The jurisdiction of a court, signifies the extent of its powers, in 

 regard to the causes which may be tried before it. It has original 

 jurisdiction in cases which may come primarily before it; and 

 appellate jurisdiction, in those cases which can only be brought be- 

 fore it by an appeal from some other court. Jurisdiction is also termed 

 civil, when it extends only to the rights of persons and property ; 

 and criminal, when it extends to the trial of imputed crimes. Of 

 legal hermeneutics, or the just interpretation of laws, we have only 

 room here to remark that it depends upon the same principles as 

 biblical hermeneutics ; that is, the just principles of grammar, logic, 

 ethics, and sound criticism in general. 



4. The Principles of Administration of governments, compre- 

 hend the greater part of what is usually termed Statesmanship, in- 

 cluding Diplomacy. They relate to the duties of the chief Magis- 

 trate, and his immediate assistants and advisers, whether called Se- 

 cretaries, Ministers, or by other names. The propriety of having 

 a single and responsible chief, at the head of every government or 

 society of men, is too evident to need any argument. Whether that 

 chief be called President, or Consul, or King, or Emperor, is far less 

 important, than that he should feel himself responsible to the people, 

 for the manner in which he exercises the power confided to him ; 

 and that he should be competent to direct the government beneficially 

 and wisely, with the aid of competent assistants and advisers. 



The necessity of a cabinet, or ministry, to assist the chief magis- 

 trate, will at once appear, from the manifold duties of the executive 

 branch. These duties are, for the most part, supervisory ; to see 

 that the laws are faithfully executed, and to advise for their alteration 

 or improvement ; to manage the fiscal and financial affairs of the 

 nation ; to superintend public improvements ; to preserve friendly 

 intercourse with foreign nations ; and to provide for the public de- 

 fence, with the aid of the military and naval forces. Accordingly, in 

 most governments, there are distinct departments, of State, for cor- 

 respondence and intercourse with foreign powers ; of the Treasury, 

 or of Finance, for the collection and disbursement of the public 

 moneys ; of War, for the management of military affairs ; of the 

 Navy or Marine, for naval affairs : besides others for various express 

 purposes, as Posts, and Mails ; Internal Improvements ; Education ; 

 Patents ; and the like. 



Diplomacy, is that portion of Statesmanship, which relates to the 

 intercourse of a government with foreign powers, by means of its ac- 

 credited agents. It treats of the qualifications, and the duties of these 

 agents ; and the rules and precedents by which they are governed in 

 their official acts. Diplomatic agents of the highest rank, are called 

 Ambassadors, or Ministers ; of whom ministers plenipotentiary, 

 and envoys extraordinary, usually take precedence. Resident minis- 

 ters rank next ; and inferior to these in official grade, are Charges 

 d'affaires, and finally Secretaries of legation, and Attaches. As 

 the interests and honor of a nation are confided, in a great degree, to 



