Virginia. Governor's Office

An act was passed by the General Assembly on 18 February 1817 entitled an act arranging the counties into districts for the election of senators and for equalizing the land tax. A similar act was passed on 24 March 1838 providing for the reassessment of lands in the Commonwealth. These acts established a board of principal assessors of four members for the newly created four districts. These acts also called for the appointment of assistant assessors in every county appointed by the Executive and recommended by the county court.

From the guide to the Records of Principal and Assistant Assessors, 1817-1838, (The Library of Virginia)

The General Assembly passed an act on 20 December 1791 authorizing the governor to transmit to sheriffs lists of land on which taxes were delinquent, so that the sheriffs might sell the land. An act passed on 9 February 1814 required the reversion of the land to the Literary Fund if no bid was received, to be held for future sale.

On 20 February 1817 the General Assembly passed an act authorizing the governor to redeem, or purchase for the state, certain lands already sold for taxes. The governor appointed agents to make the payments on his behalf, using public money. The purpose of the act was to discourage the practice of purchasing land for taxes, then holding it for speculation rather then settling and cultivating it. Subsequent acts were passed for the same purpose.

From the description of Records of lands redeemed by the Executive, 1792-1859. (Library of Virginia). WorldCat record id: 122555144

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 a 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.

From the guide to the Militia Commission Papers, 1777-1858, (The Library of Virginia)

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.

From the guide to the Records of the Virginia Governor's Office, 1946, 1970-1985, (The Library of Virginia)