The governor is the chief executive of the state whose function is to administer the laws of the state. One of the activities used to accomplish this function is the appointing of individuals to various state and local offices and the signing of grants and commissions. This series contains letters and petitions relating to appointments, resignations, commissions, and contested elections. It contains recommendations for various positions and reasons for resignation from office. Some of the specific positions for which the Governor made appointments include an agent for the salt reserve in Clarke County, the director of the state bank in Mobile, and the solicitor for the second judicial ciruit. Chapman was also called upon to appoint a replacement to the U.S. Senate seat vacated by former governor Arthur P. Bagby in 1848 when he was appointed U.S. ambassador to Russia by President Polk. This series also contains correspondence to various state Supreme Court judges recommending individuals for appointment as the court clerk.
