The Correspondence (Chronological) series is housed in fifteen archival boxes and is arranged chronologically, then alphabetically by correspondent. This series documents correspondence received by Governor Montague and a small amount of outgoing correspondence that was returned. In addition to correspondence, there are reports, proclamations, telegrams, orders, resolutions, acts, publications, news clippings, invitations, proceedings, financial statements, invoices, and other sundry items. Correspondence in this series relates to appointments, extraditions, the Good Roads Convention, convicts & the Penitentiary, Executive Mansion & Capitol improvements, proclamations, state mental hospitals, the Virginia Volunteers, the Virginia Military Institute, pardons, Virginia State Library, and others. Noteworthy correspondents include William A. Anderson, Attorney General; George Helms, Superintendent of the Penitentiary; William F. Drewry, Superintendent of Central State Hospital; L.S. Foster, Superintendent of Eastern State Hospital; R.J. Preston, Superintendent of Southwestern State Hospital; John Hay, Secretary of State; William Nalle, Adjutant General; Scott Shipp, Superintendent of the Virginia Military Institute; and John P. Kennedy, State Librarian.

Attorney General, William A. Anderson, writes to Governor Montague to provide opinions regarding a variety of issues. Anderson provides opinions on the following topics: the contract between the Superintendent of the Penitentiary and the Davis Boot & Shoe Company (1902 Feb. 15), the petition of H.G. Nutt (1902 Sept. 26), the Brickhouse suit (1903 Mar. 26), Judge Farrar's duties under Section 9 of the Virginia Election Law (1903 Oct. 20), the Walton-Parker Law (1903 Oct. 9), the nomination of Judge William A. Smith of the Cumberland County Court as Commonwealth's Attorney (1903 Oct. 20), the shooting of a horse by a South Carolina soldier (1904 Dec. 22), the reduction of the sentence to a convict in the Penitentiary (1904 Dec. 12), and Article XVI of the Convention between the U.S. & Italy (1905 Sept. 14).

During Montague's term in office, he received correspondence & reports from both the superintendent & president of the Board of Directors of the Virginia Penitentiary. A.C. Harman & W.D. Chesterman, Presidents of the Board of Directors, submit synopses of the superintendent's & surgeon's monthly reports (1902 Jan. 7, Apr. 15, & July 7). Chesterman writes regarding the use of convicts to work on the road to Monticello (1902 Feb. 12). Chesterman's successor as president of the Board of Directors, Milton E. Marcuse, submits a surgeon's report (1903 May 5). Lastly, as superintendent, George M. Helms writes regarding the sanity of two convicts in the Penitentiary (1903 Oct. 26).

Correspondence to Governor Montague also originates from the various superintendents & president of the Board of Directors of Virginia's state mental hospitals including Central State Hospital, Eastern State Hospital, & Southwestern State Hospital. William F. Drewry, Superintendent of Central State Hospital, submits quarterly reports to Governor Montague (1902 Jan. 8 & 1904 Apr. 7). Drewry also writes on 22 December 1905 enclosing the amount appropriated for the maintenance & improvements at the hospital. Robert Gilliam, President of the Board of Directors of Central State Hospital, encloses the superintendent's report for the quarter ending 31 December 1902 (1902 Oct. 8). L.S. Foster, Superintendent of Eastern State Hospital, provides a brief account of the fire which occurred at the Hospital on 4 January (1902 Feb. 10). In addition, John L. Mercer, clerk, encloses proceedings of the Board of Directors of Eastern State Hospital regarding the fire (1902 Jan. 8). R.J. Preston, Superintendent of Southwestern State Hospital, submits a census of patients, along with the Steward's financial statement (1902 Jan. 7 & 1904 May 4). Preston also writes regarding overcrowded conditions at the hospital (1902 July 15). Preston submits encloses quarterly reports on 1903 Jan. 7 & Apr. 7. On 19 July 1904, Preston writes regarding the movement of patients (admissions, discharges, etc.) & quarterly financial statement. In addition, John G. Osborne, President of the Board of Directors of the Southwestern State Hospital, advises the governor on state of the hospital (1902 Oct. 21).

John Hay, Secretary of State, writes to Governor Montague regarding various issues. Hay writes regarding the extradition from Great Britain of a fugitive from justice (1902 Feb. 5). Hay also writes regarding the judgment of the Supreme Court of the U.S. in the fisheries case of Manchester vs. Massachusetts (1902 Feb. 10). In addition, Hay encloses Advance Sheets of Consular Reports, No. 1271 (1902 Mar. 4). On 27 March 1903, Hay writes regarding changes to the Imperial German marriage law. Finally, Hay writes regarding legislative regulative and protection of the sale of cheese (1903 Oct. 24).

As Adjutant General, William Nalle writes concerning general & special orders, the Virginia Volunteers, and the return of Confederate battle flags. Nalle submits special orders regarding the uniform & equipment of the governor's staff (1902 Jan. 25 & 29). Nalle also submits general orders regarding an oath to maintain & support the new state constitution by all the members of the Virginia Volunteers (1902 June 28). On 20 April 1903, Nalle encloses a list of surgeons connected with the Virginia Volunteers. Additionally, Nalle writes regarding an act to promote the efficiency of the militia (1903 Sept. 29). On 26 October 1904, Nalle transmits General Court Martial proceedings. Lastly, Nalle, John Lamb, & J.L. Moring write regarding the examination of Confederate battle flags sent to Virginia by the Secretary of war (incl. letter of William H. Taft, Secretary of War & a list of the confederate flags) (1905 Mar. 28).

Scott Shipp, Superintendent of the Virginia Military Institute, corresponds with Governor Montague regarding the discipline of cadets, typhoid fever, and cadet complaints. Included is a printed report of Shipp as superintendent to the Board of Visitors on a breach of discipline upon part of certain cadets (1902 Dec. 15). Shipp also includes a report regarding typhoid fever in Lexington (1903 Oct. 24). Later, Shipp writes regarding a leave of absence for cadets and the health conditions at VMI (1903 Nov. 16). Furthermore, Shipp writes regarding complaints by cadets about the food in the Mess Hall (1905 Nov. 13). Lastly, Shipp provides statistics on cadet discipline (1906 Jan. 3).

John P. Kennedy, State Librarian, provides information regarding conditions at the Virginia State Library. On 31 March 1904, Kennedy writes regarding the resolution of the Library Board requesting the governor to turn over to the Virginia State Library any or all space shortly to be vacated by the Law Library (1904 Mar. 31). Kennedy also writes regarding the addition of more libraries, stack space, salary adjustments, and new positions including a Chief of the Reading Room, bibliographer, Chief of the Dept. of Archives & History, and Chief of the Serials Division (1905 Dec. 14).

Additional miscellaneous correspondence includes the following: telegrams of John W. Crockett, Sheriff of Pocahontas, re. strikers from West Virginia coming to Pocahontas for the purpose of forcing the men to quit (1902 June 17 & 18); William Jennings Bryan, Lincoln, re. an amendment to the Constitution providing for the election of U.S. senators by direct vote of the people (1902 Feb. 6); Noland & Baskervill, Architects & Engineers, providing an estimate of proposed improvements at the Executive Mansion (1902 Mar. 4); A.H. Buchanan, Tennessee & Virginia Boundary Commission, encl. a statement of expenditures in the Boundary Survey (1902 Sept. 24); report of the president of the Richmond Chamber of Commerce (1902 Jan. 9); John W. Daniel, Senator from Virginia, re. the claims of Virginia against the U.S. (1902 Aug. 16); Martin Dodge, Director of the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, encl. a bill to create a Bureau of Public Roads (1902 Dec. 11); D.Q. Eggleston, Secretary of the Commonwealth, encl. a resolution of the Tennessee General Assembly re. the calling of a convention to propose an amendment to the U.S. Constitution providing for the election of U.S. senators by direct vote of the people (1902 Apr. 3); convention between the U.S. & Guatemala re. the tenure & disposition of real & personal property (1902 Sept. 18); John R. Hooper, Superintendent of the Hollywood Cemetery Company, re. the removal of inscription plates on the tomb of President James Monroe by vandals (1902 Jan. 24); G.L. Hergert, Secretary of the American Exposition, encl. a plan of the main floor of the Crystal Palace in London (1902 Feb. 3); Giles B. Jackson, Secretary of the Negro Business League of Virginia, re. the annual meeting of the National League of the U.S. in Richmond (1902 Apr. 26); proclamation of Governor Charles B. Aycock, North Carolina, calling for a Good Roads Convention in Raleigh (1902 Jan. 22); Andrew J. Montague to the Senate & House of Delegates re. the fire at Eastern State Hospital, the condition of the Capitol Building, Penitentiary, etc. (1902 Feb. 20); proclamation of Governor Andrew J. Montague designating November 27, 1902, as a day of Thanksgiving (1902 Nov. 13); Ethan A. Hitchcock, Dept. of the Interior, transmitting a resolution of the Senate that the Secretary of the Interior & Secretary of Agriculture transmit to the Senate any facts on the buffalo or American bison (1902 Feb. 3); John W. Williams, Clerk of the House of Delegates, encl. a joint resolution that the governor be requested to invite plans & specifications for the renovation & repair of the exterior & interior of the Capitol (1902 Feb. 20); report of the Office of the Attorney General (1902 Nov.); W.P. Brownlow, Committee on Appropriations, House of Representatives, encl. H.R. 15369 providing for a system of national, state, & local cooperation in the permanent improvement of the public highways (1903 Mar. 4); Clara Barton, American National Red Cross, requesting the governor's membership on the National Advisory Board of the Red Cross (1903 July 18); Clara Barton re. the nomination of George B. Davis to represent Virginia in the National Advisory Board of the Red Cross (1903 Sept. 19); George C. Cabell, Jr., resigning as Chief of Staff (1903 Mar. 19); act of Congress to regulate the immigration of aliens into the U.S. (1903 Mar. 3); invitation to the Louisiana Purchase Centennial Dedication ceremonies in St. Louis (1903 May 2); Andrew A. Lipscomb, Chairman of the Board of Governors, Thomas Jefferson Memorial Association of the U.S., re. a memorial to the author of the Declaration of Independence at the National Capital (1903 May 14); Jefferson Myers, President of the Lewis & Clark Centennial Exposition Commission, inviting Virginia to make an exhibit at the Lewis & Clark Exposition to be held in Portsmouth in 1905 (1903 Dec. 12); Noland & Baskervill re. their bill for services in repairs to the Executive Mansion (1903 Jan. 22); William C. Ritter, President of the Virginia Association for the Deaf, re. the education of colored deaf & blind children (1903 Apr. 8); Frederick E. Rittman, Auditor, Treasury Dept., Office of the Auditor for the War Dept., re. expenses due Virginia for the benefit of the U.S. during the War of 1812 (1903 Apr. 22); Rittman re. expenses incurred by Virginia in aiding the U.S. to raise the volunteers army for the war with Spain (1903 June 8); Clara Barton re. the American National Red Cross and encl. booklet "Clara Barton & Her Work" & "The Red Cross on a New Field" (1903 June 10); proclamation of Governor Montague designating November 26, 1903, as Thanksgiving Day (1903 Nov. 11) (Acc. # 33675); Governor J.M. Terrell, Georgia, re. the National Conference of Charities & Corrections in Atlanta (1903 Mar. 23); R.J. Tracewell, Comptroller, Treasury Dept., re. the readjustment of all claims of the State of Virginia for & on account of advances & expenditures made by the state during the War of 1812 (1903 Feb. 5); Richard M. Taylor, Mayor of Richmond, requesting aid to restore peace & good order in the city (1903 June 23); William Cary Sanger, Assistant Secretary of War, re. inspections of the organized militia of the several states (1903 June 5); bill for the purchase & preservation of Jamestown Island, Virginia (H.R. 15439) (1904 Apr. 26); George H. Harries, Chairman of the Inaugural Committee, requesting information on the participation of Virginia troops in the parade following the inauguration of President Roosevelt (1904 Dec. 10); Giles B. Jackson, director of the Negro Development & Exposition Company of the U.S., encl. an address of the company (1904 July 14); Fitzhugh Lee, President of the Jamestown Exposition Company, re. selection of a date for "Virginia Day" (1904 Sept. 6); John W. Richardson, Register & Superintendent of Public Grounds & Buildings, encl. his opinion of William A. Anderson re. the heating of the State Library Building (1904 May 3); John G. Tilton, Attorney, protesting against the pardon of Annie Whaley, mother of Lillie Davis, who is serving a 12-month sentence in Norfolk City Jail for beating her daughter (incl. photograph of Davis with scars & bruises) (1904 Apr. 15); Booker T. Washington, Principal, encl. annual report of the Tuskegee Normal & Industrial Institute (1904 Nov. 5); Otto Eisenrohr encl. a photograph of Gilbert Stuart's portrait of Gen. George Washington and offering to see a reproduction (1904 [N.D.]); Mrs. L.L. Harman, Staunton, re. the establishment of a school for the colored deaf, dumb, & blind (letterhead incl. photo of Wheatland Farm) (1905 Nov. 22); G. Trentenove, Florence, Italy, re. payment for his marble sculpture of the late General Fitzhugh Lee in the rotunda of the Capitol (1905 May 20); Woodrow Wilson re. an account of the ceremonies attending his inauguration as President of Princeton University (1905 Mar. 21); specification & description of work & material required in the repairing & completion of work necessary to be done on the Governor's Mansion (1905 undated); Janet H. Randolph, President of the Fitzhugh Lee Monument Association, requesting an appropriation of $10,000 (1906 Jan. 24); and Claude A. Swanson resigning as a member of the House of Representatives (1906 Jan. 24).

Arranged chronologically by year, then alphabetically by correspondent.

The Correspondence (Alphabetical) series is housed in seven archival boxes and is arranged alphabetically by folder title. This series documents subject files maintained by Governor Andrew J. Montague. In addition to correspondence, there are reports, bills, receipts, recommendations, telegrams, lists, applications, pardons, proclamations, and other sundry items.

The most significant material in this series relates to the Capitol Enlargement. The Capitol Enlargement files contain correspondence, bills, receipts, minutes, acts, and reports. The correspondence includes letters to the governor from contractors, manufacturers, etc. There is correspondence from Samuel W. Bigger, Clerk of the Legislative Committee of Restoring & Repairing the State Capitol Building regarding payment of expenses for attending meetings of the Commission, payments for contracts, and applications for the position of Engineer in charge of the proposed improvements. W.A. Chesterman, General Contractor, writes regarding progress in the improvements to the Capitol Building, sub-contractors for brickwork, roofing, painting, etc., and his contract as contractor. D.Q. Eggleston, Secretary of the Commonwealth, writes regarding furniture needed in his new office in the new Capitol Building. E.A. Morgan, Acting Superintendent of the Penitentiary, writes regarding convicts from the Penitentiary for digging the foundation & grading. The architectural firm of Noland & Baskervill enclose bids for work on the Capitol. John Keevan Peebles writes regarding drawings of his work as architect of the Capitol Enlargement. John W. Richardson, Register & Superintendent of the Land Office, writes regarding coal contracts, phones for the Capitol, windows, fireproofing, furniture, his office, carpeting, and radiators. Sydnor & Hundley, Inc., provide pencil sketches of furniture for the Capitol. In addition to correspondence, there are various proposals submitted for furnishing the House & Senate, providing labor & material to do the work according to the plans & specifications in the alterations & additions. Lastly, there is a blueprint drawing of a water cooler & stand and double lockers ("W" folder).

Applications for pardon, bills and receipts, outgoing telegrams, quarterly reports, recommendations, text books, and Thanksgiving proclamations comprise a significant portion of this series. The applications for pardon are filed alphabetically and contain petitions, correspondence, prison records, & court records. The bills & receipts are also filed alphabetically and relate to expenses of the Executive Mansion. In addition, there is a separate folder regarding expenses for the funeral of Fitzhugh Lee. Outgoing telegrams from Governor Montague to various individuals relate to requisitions, judges, special elections, regrets, lynchings, fugitives, rewards, and commutations. The quarterly reports originate from the Central State Hospital and Southwestern State Hospital, along with the Newport News Quarantine Office. Quarterly reports can also be found in the Correspondence (Chronological) Series. The recommendations by Governor Montague concern positions on the Board of Fisheries, judgeships in the Chesterfield Court & Twentieth Circuit, Quarantine Officers, & the Superintendent of Public Printing. The Text Book files include correspondence from book companies furnishing text books for Virginia schools. These files sometimes include chapters, synopses, & excerpts of text books. Finally, the Thanksgiving proclamations are simply proclamations to hold a day of feasting and prayer from the governors of other states & territories.

Arranged alphabetically.

The Letter Books series is housed in six archival boxes and is arranged chronologically. This series documents outgoing letters by Governor Andrew J. Montague. Correspondence in this series relates to applications for positions, payments, pardons, recommendations, appointments, invitations, regrets, annual passes of transportation companies (prohibited under the new Constitution), resignations, U.S. Senate candidacy against Thomas Martin, Louisiana Purchase Exposition, launching of the battleship "Virginia," and the State Central Committee. Noteworthy correspondents include judges, commonwealth's attorneys, William A. Jones (House of Representatives), clerks of courts, colleges & universities, John S. Patton (University of Virginia), Henry St. George Tucker, and Charles N. Needham (President of the Columbian University in Washington, D.C.). Some of the outgoing letters are from Montague's secretary D.A. Ritchie. These files are arranged alphabetically by correspondent.

Arranged chronologically.

The Personal Papers series is housed in twenty-four archival boxes and is arranged in two subseries. Subseries have been designated for Chronological Files & Subject Files. This series mainly consists of files transferred from a collection of Montague records donated by Elizabeth Hoskins Montague (Acc. 22001) and transferred from the Library of Virginia's Private Papers Section. Although it's labeled "Personal Papers" much of the series documents the work of Andrew J. Montague in his official capacity as governor of Virginia between 1902 and 1906. The correspondence in this series should be researched in conjunction with the correspondence found in the previous series.

Arranged chronologically, then alphabetically by correspondent.