The article considers the genesis of the position of officials for special assignments as an integral part of the system of governor power of the Russian Empire in the first half of the 19th century. Based on the analysis of a wide range of sources, the author concluded that the institutional design of the post was a compensation for the extremely broad powers vested in the governor, the lack of clear mechanisms and ways to effectively and efficiently execute them. The institute of governorship in the first half of the 19th century. Functioned in the conditions of a “blurred” legal status of the chief, underformed vertical and horizontal executive power, constant staff shortages in local government institutions.