International records / UK National Archives

Crown Agents collection

1999/221 | The origins of the Crown Agents go back to the 1700s when colonial administrations employed agents to recruit people, and procure and move goods to the colonies on their behalf. Some of these agents were authorised to handle British Treasury grants and they became known as 'crown agents'. This led to a growing number of agents and in order to rationalise the situation, in 1833 all agents were dismissed and only two were re-appointed. The Joint Agents General for the Crown Colonies, reporting to the Colonial Office, had the remit of managing grants, raising capital, recruiting person…