Colonial agent
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A colonial agent was the official representative of a British colony based in London during the British Empire. The role evolved during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. Initially established as a temporary role to deal with a specific problem, by the eighteenth century the role became more permanent. However, this did not always mean there was full continuity[1]
At first a colony would send occasional special agents on a temporary basis. Thus Rhode Island engaged John Clarke as their agent both to the Commonwealth government of Oliver Cromwell and the restoration regime of Charles II.[2]
Following the "Glorious Revolution"
At the time of the Glorious Revolution four colonies had started to have more permanent representation: Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Virginia.
About 200 men served. They were selected and paid a fixed salary by the colonial government, and given the long delays in communication, they played a major role in negotiating with royal officials, and explaining colonial needs and resources. Their main business was with the Board of Trade, where the agent dealt with land problems, border disputes, military affairs, and Indian affairs. They provided the British officials with the documents and news, secured acceptance of controversial colonial legislation, and tried to head off policies objectionable to the colonies. They handled the appeal cases, which usually went to the Privy Council. Permanent agents became the practice after 1700; most were Americans but some were British. Many of the agents worked together 1730-1733 to oppose a bill establishing a monopoly in West Indian rum, sugar and molasses.
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