Records, 1775-1779, 1788, including accounts, bills of lading, correspondence, receipts, and vouchers relating to the activities of State Agents, William Aylett and Thomas Smith, and assistant State Agents, Raleigh Colston and Archibald Richardson. Accounts and receipts document purchases of indigo, tobacco, bar iron, nails, sugar, bread, beef, corn, salt, and cloth, among others.

Correspondence is chiefly concerning shipments to and from the West Indies, using the ports of St. Eustatius, Netherland Antilles, and St. Pierre, Martinique, major sources of supplies during the 18th century, and Nantes, France. Some of the documents were written in French.

Often mentioned is the firm of Van Bibber and Harrison, colonial agents. Tobacco, pork, and corn were sent to the West Indies, and tobacco and wheat to Europe. In return, the state agents were provided with French guns with bayonets, tent cloth, thread, blankets, medicines, etc. Payrolls for the ships crews list names. An affidavit from June 25, 1788, lists "all of the vessels under the direction of Thomas Smith, late commercial agent." Also includes a letter, 1776 November 11, from Richard Henry Lee, Philadelphia, regarding gathering provisions for Virginia Battalions.

This collection is on microfilm [Misc. reels 650-652].

This volume contains an accounting of disbursements from the public store in Williamsburg. Payments are made for goods and services, including tobacco, sundries, and a writing desk.

This record consists of the state agent's accounts with ships bringing supplies chiefly from the West Indies. The agent, Thomas Smith, operated from Williamsburg. There is one loose entry for a ship's account.

These records contain recorded copies of the outgoing correspondence of Thomas Smith, State Agent, in Williamsburg, to ships captains and merchants regarding the purchase and outfitting of vessels with provisions, and the distribution of these goods.

The first volume (186 p.) covers the period December 22, 1777 - November 7, 1778, and includes a few letters of William Aylett after he resigned as state agent. Inverted and reversed are letters received by the office, 1777 Nov-1778 May. This volume also includes a copy of a Council order, November 29, 1777, appointing William Lee as State's Agent in France.

The second volume (78 p.) covers the period November 13, 1778 - May 3, 1779. There are copies of occasional incoming letters, as well as in frequent outgoing letters over signatures of other people. Date of initial letter is illegible and a final letter of August 15, 1779 is marked through.

This collection is on microfilm [Misc. reel 366].

This volume contains receipts for tobacco, sundries, and ships stores received by Thomas Smith, State Agent, at Williamsburg, and payment for services or wages. Entries include date, amount of money, and the use for which it is intended. Entries are then signed by the recipient. There are 23 records tipped in to the back of the volume that were issued in places other than Williamsburg.

This volume contains receipts for tobacco, sundries, and ships stores received by Thomas Smith, State Agent, at Williamsburg, and payment for services or wages. Entries include date, amount of money, and the use for which it is intended. Entries are then signed by the recipient. There are 23 records tipped in to the back of the volume that were issued in places other than Williamsburg.

This collection is on microfilm [Misc. reel 366].

Contains an invoice in French for diverse merchandise including arms, tents, hats, and other items sent from Nantes to Cape Francais in Santo Domingo on board the Ship La Chavigny by Capt. Etienne Fourneau on the order of William Aylett.

Contains a transcript of a letter from W[illiam] Aylett, [State Agent], to [John Rutledge], Governor of South Carolina, regarding eight tons of indigo which Governor [Henry] requested Governor Rutledge purchase. According to Aylett, the indigo is being shipped to St. Eustatia for the purpose of purchasing arms for the defence of the Commonwealth.