Territorial Secretary Territorial Executive Papers
Digital Archives
About the Collection
The EXECUTIVE PAPERS are really part of a larger record keeping system maintained by the Executive Department of the territorial government. Most of the individual documents filed in the series are those that were sent to the Governor or the Secretary requesting or supporting some official action.
Territorial Secretary erritorial executive papers
The territorial secretary was responsible for recording all acts and proceedings of the Governor in his executive department and to provide copies of these official acts to specific federal officials. Over half of the series represent official acts of the Governor. Many other duties of the secretary are also documented, most reflecting routine administrative functions of the territorial government. The period from 1880 to 1895 represents the bulk of the collection. Important functions of the governor documented in the series include supervision of the militia; supervision of elections; appointment of officials; regulation of the court system; pardoning and extradition of criminals; supervision of Indian affairs; regulation of liquor, 1859-1860; and supervision of the executive department of the government. Routine activities of the secretary documented in the series include distributing copies of territorial laws, management of public works projects, supply procurement, and oversight of the financial affairs of the territorial government.