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| | Reference.com/Encyclopedia/United States Secretary of State |
 | | The position of "Secretary of State of the United States" was thus intended to be the most general and important office in the U.S. government, after the Presidency. |
 | | Secretaries who unsuccessfully ran for President (either before or after their service at the State Department) were Henry Clay, Daniel Webster, John C. Calhoun, William H. Seward, James G. Blaine, William Jennings Bryan, Charles Evans Hughes, and Edmund Muskie. |
 | | In addition, the Secretary performs such duties as the President is required, in accordance with the United States Constitution, relating to correspondence, commission, or instructions to U.S. or consuls abroad, and to conduct negotiations with foreign representatives. |
| www.reference.com /browse/wiki/United_States_Secretary_of_State (689 words) |
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