The Colonial Secretary of the Bahama Islands was the second highest official in the colony, usually appointed from Britain. The Colonial Secretary was a member of the Executive Council and frequently served as Acting Governor in the absence of the Governor.
In other colonies, the position was sometimes known as Chief Secretary. In the Bahamas, the Colonial Secretary was also known at one time as the Secretary of the Providence.[1] One of the responsibilities of the Secretary of the Providence from 1764 to 1950 was keeper of the public records.[1]