Executive Papers of Governor John M. Gregory, 1842-1843.

Containers:

Box 1-4

Extent:

Extent: 4 boxes.

Scope and content:

The Governor received correspondence from three main sources: the Federal government, Virginia State government, and Governors from other states. Federal government correspondents include Walter Forward, Secretary of the Treasury, & Daniel Webster, Secretary of State. Walter Forward encloses a resolution of the House of Representatives requesting information showing the progress in the cultivation, manufacture, & consumption of tobacco in the United States (1842 Apr. 2). Forward also writes requesting a tabular statement of the tobacco inspected in Virginia since 1820 (1842 Apr. 12). Daniel Webster writes requesting copies of the laws of Virginia for 1821-1822 & 1823-1824 (1842 Dec. 6).

The majority of correspondence in John M. Gregory's Executive Papers originates from Virginia State government. Significant correspondents from Virginia State government include Robert G. Scott, President of the Board of Directors of the Penitentiary; John B. Richardson, Superintendent of Public Edifices & Superintendent of the Armory; George W. Munford, Clerk of the House of Delegates; James E. Heath, Auditor of Public Accounts; and Fabius M. Lawson, Treasurer.

Robert Scott, President of the Board of Directors of the Penitentiary, encloses statements showing the operation of the Penitentiary for the fiscal year ending 30 September 1842 (1842 Dec. 9). Scott also encloses an account current of James E. Watson, the report of Charles S. Morgan, the physician & Superintendent's report, the superintendent's general statement, and various tables regarding prisoners in the Penitentiary. Scott also writes regarding the case of Alexander Bogart, a prisoner in the Penitentiary for forgery (1842 Dec. 14).

John B. Richardson, as Superintendent of Public Edifices, writes regarding the white washing of several offices in the basement story of the Capitol and the reglazing of many of the windows (1842 Sept. 26). In his role as Superintendent of the Armory, Richardson writes regarding a break in the culverts which pass off the water from the Armory & Boring Mill (1842 Sept. 27).

George W. Munford, as Clerk of the House of Delegates, transmits a certificate of election for James McDowell as governor for three years (1842 Dec. 15). In addition, Munford encloses a resolution that the Executive be requested to inform the House whether he has received the standard of liquid measurers ordered to be distributed by the General government (1842 Dec. 29).

James E. Heath, Auditor of Public Accounts, corresponds with Governor Gregory transmitting a statement of receipts & disbursements at the Auditor's Office (1842 Apr. 18), his absence from office (1842 July 2), and carpeting for his office (1842 Sept. 13).

Fabius M. Lawson, Treasurer, writes requesting loans to meet the exigencies of the Treasury (1842 Apr. 4 & Dec. 24). In addition, Lawson writes concerning Treasurer's bonds given for the payment of a loan borrowed by his predecessor (1842 Apr. 5). Lastly, encloses a letter from J. Brown, Jr., 2nd Auditor, and an estimate of the certain & probably receipts & disbursements on account of the revenue of the Board of Public Works (1842 Apr. 16).

Governors from other states comprise a significant amount of correspondence received by the Governor. Included are letters from the following governors: Tilghman Tucker, Mississippi; William H. Seward, New York; Robert P. Letcher, Kentucky; and Francis Thomas, Maryland.

Governor Tilghman Tucker, Mississippi, encloses resolutions regarding the annexation of the Republic of Texas to the United States (1842 Apr. 8). Governor William H. Seward, New York, transmits resolutions of the New York Legislature concerning the regulations of the Post Office Department in the government in the United States (1842 May 6). Governor Robert P. Letcher, Kentucky, writes regarding a demand for the surrender of Moses Thompson & James Johnson (1842 July 2). Lastly, Governor Francis Thomas, Maryland, writes regarding his demand for Isaac Goudkop, a fugitive from justice in Virginia (1842 Nov. 15 & 22).

Additional significant correspondence includes the following: John Brown, Jr., 2nd Auditor, requesting an improvement to his office (1842 Apr. 4) and the act appropriating a sum of money for defraying the expenses incurred by the enlargement of his office (1842 Aug. 16); John F. Wren, Superintendent of the Public Warehouse, enclosing an estimate of the cost of work for repairs (1842 Sept. 13); J. A. Early to William H. Richardson, State Librarian, re. a book he borrowed which was lost (1842 Nov. 29); Henry A. Wise re. a bill refunding to General Andrew Jackson the amount of a fine with interest imposed on him at the time of the attack & defense of New Orleans (1842 Dec. 24); and S. S. Baxter, Attorney General, re. his opinion on the right of the state proxies to vote for directors of banks (1842 [N.D.]).

Other noteworthy items include: report of the Committee on the Action of the General Assembly on the subject of the Constitution by the Rhode Island General Assembly (1842 Apr. 4); a proclamation of Governor Gregory for an election to supply the vacancy in the State Senate occasioned by the resignation of Charles J. Faulkner (1842 Apr. 6); proclamation regarding an election to supply the vacancy in the Virginia Senate occasioned by the resignation of James Lyons (1842 Apr. 4); proclamation for an election in Nansemond County to supply the vacancy in the House of Delegates occasioned by the death of Joshua M. Harrell (1842 Sept. 26); contract & bond of Francis H. Deane as vaccine agent (1842 Nov. 18); proclamation requiring the sheriff of Henrico County to arrest Isaac Goudkop, a fugitive from justice from the State of Maryland (1842 Nov. 19); and proclamations by the governor offering rewards for the apprehension of escaped convicts (1842 Dec. 24 & 27).

Arrangement:

Arranged in chronological order.

Access and use

Contents