Records of the Virginia Commercial Agent,

Access and use

Location of collection:
Library of Virginia
The Library of Virginia
800 East Broad Street
Richmond, VA 23219
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Archives Reference Services
Phone: (804) 692-3888

Summary

Creator:
Commercial Agent.

Background

Scope and content:

Virginia Commerical Agent records include accounts, daybooks, journals, ledgers and papers.

For additional records see the Governor's Executive Papers for this time period.

Biographical / historical:

The Office of the Commercial Agent was created by the General Assembly at its May 1780 session. The 1780 Act abolishing the Board of Trade authorized the governor, with advice of council, to appoint a commercial agent who was to discharge the several duties which shall be by the executive adjudged to appertain to the office (Chapter XXIV, 1780 May). The Agent was responsible for the procurement of military supplies, assuming these functions of the Board of Trade. These functions originated with the State Agent and then were passed to the Commissary of Stores before being assumed by the Commercial Agent.

A year later, along with other public offices, the Commercial Agent was ordered to lodge returns of the tobacco and hemp which had been either raised by taxes or allotted to his disposal with the War Office quarterly. Returns of stores both purchased and issued were likewise required (Chapter XV, 1781 May).

In October 1782, in an attempt at economy, the War Office (and thus the Commercial Agent) was abolished, with the duties pertaining thereto being transferred to executive, who delegated the duties to the office of the Quartermaster General (Chapter XIV, 1782 Oct).

William Armistead, serving as the Commissary of Stores, was appointed the first commercial agent by Governor Thomas Jefferson on July 31, 1780. He was succeeded by David Rose on February 2, 1781. William Hay, who was holding the office when it was discontinued, was appointed in May 1782.

Acquisition information:
Acquired prior to 1905.
Physical description:
6 volumes, .45 cubic feet, and 2 items.