Developing Agency Accountability in the Duchy of Warsaw

Following his victory in the First Polish War (1806-1807), Napoleon created the Duchy of Warsaw, dictating its constitution. This constitution required the Napoleonic system of government and specifically established six ministries. However, the imposed system of government required functions that went beyond the ministries’ responsibilities. As a result, the duchy’s government established agencies outside of ministry structures. Once the need for agencies was identified, the central authorities struggled to develop an organisation that would ensure accountability to the duchy’s government. This article focuses on five agencies - the Victualling Commission, the Post Office, the Education Commission, the Medical Council, and the Main Controllership Board - to demonstrate the government’s attempts to ensure effective governance and tight accountability while establishing a variety of agency types (operational, advisory, and central). Although Napoleon did not require that the duchy follow French governance practice in their attempt to secure accountability, the Poles came to employ the Napoleonic model.