Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

There are no access restrictions.

Use Restrictions

Use microfilm (Miscellaneous Reels 2999-3015, 6191-6200).

Preferred Citation

Executive Letter Books of the Virginia Office of the Governor, [cite specific date, Governor and accession used]. State government records collection, The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia.

Acquisition Information

No acquisition information available.

Alternate Form of Material

Microfilm copy available (Miscellaneous Reels 2999-3015, 6191-6200)

Biographical Information

During the colonial period of Virginia's history the governor, as an appointee of the Crown, was the colony's principal representative and upholder of royal authority. Although his powers were limited somewhat by the Council and by the laws passed by the House of Burgesses, the governor still had the authority to prorogue, adjourn, or dissolve the legislature, to confirm or veto its acts, to preside as the chief jurist of the colony, to command the provincial military forces, and to appoint many of the subordinate officers of government.

Most of these powers, excepting the military and appointive, were swept away by the American Revolution. The several revolutionary conventions assumed the executive role in 1774 and 1775 until the Committee of Safety was created in July 1775 to function in that capacity. The constitution adopted in 1776 made the governor subordinate to the legislative branch, elected by the General Assembly and circumscribed by a Council of State appointed by the assembly.

It was not until the constitution of 1851 was adopted that the power of the governor was strengthened appreciably. The Council of State was abolished, and the governor was popularly elected. In subsequent years his authority was consolidated and expanded to statute, and his veto power was restored. The state government reorganization act passed by the General Assembly on April 18, 1927, firmly established the governor as the chief administrative officer of a government composed of departments, the directors of which serve at the pleasure of the governor. In addition, the organization of the governor's staff has increased in size and complexity until it has become virtually a department itself: the Office of the Governor, encompassing both the chief executive and his staff.

Scope and Content

Executive letter books, 1780-1906, are comprised of copies of outgoing letters of Virginia Governors. Most volumes include an index of correspondents.

Includes letter books for 1780-1864, 1874-1881, 1890-1893, and 1902-1906, and for the following governors: Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Nelson, David Jameson, Benjamin Harrison, Edmund Randolph, Beverly Randolph, Henry Lee, James Monroe, John Page, William H. Cabell, John Tyler, George W. Smith, James Barbour, Wilson Cary Nicholas, James Pleasants, John Floyd, Littleton W. Tazewell, David Campbell, James McDowell, William Smith, Henry A. Wise and John Letcher; Francis Pierpont, James L. Kemper, Frederick Holliday, Philip McKinney, and Andrew J. Montague.

Arrangement

These volumes are arranged chronologically.