Collections

James Patton Preston's Executive papers primarily consist of incoming correspondence during his three one-year terms as governor from 11 December 1816 to 11 December 1819. The correspondence in this collection relates to a variety of topics including appointments & recommendations for state positions; repairs & improvements to the Capitol & Capitol Square; the Public Guard; the Lexington Arsenal; John Wood's surveys of Virginia's rivers & counties; the Virginia Penitentiary; the settlement of accounts of Virginia with the United States for expenses during the War of 1812; resignations; extraditions; state expenses & revenue; elections; and others. These papers are arranged chronologically with pardons arranged to the rear of each year. In addition to correspondence, there are resolutions from the Virginia Senate & House of Delegates; accounts; oaths; muster rolls; pardons; proposals; receipts; election returns; certificates; qualifications; petitions; reports; appointments; resignations; bonds; commissions; orders; proceedings; applications; and other sundry items. The Governor received correspondence from three main sources: the Federal government, Virginia State government, and Governors from other states.