Executive Papers

The Executive Papers in Virginia Untold consist of letters, petitions, trial papers, and other documents related to the pardoning and reprieving of sentences of free Black and enslaved people for various crimes in Virginia. Since 1776, all Virginia governors have had clemency power. They often received requests by letter or petition and evidence such as copies of Commonwealth Causes to pardon individuals for a crime. Documents received by the governor help to fill the narrative gaps created by lost or burned local court records, particularly records documenting those who were enslaved or free. The collection also includes material from the administration of Governor James Monroe related to Gabriel's Conspiracy which was digitized previously for the Gabriel's Conspiracy Documents collection.