Governorates of the Russian Empire was created by the edict (ukase) of Peter the Great on 18 December 1708 "On the establishment of the gubernias and cities assigned to them", which divided Russia into eight guberniyas.
The higher chief (главный начальник - glavny nachal'nik) was the head of the Moscow governorate since 1727.
On 5 October 1781, Catherine II signed ukaz "On the Establishing of Moscow governorate".
On 30 October 1816, the title "chief" (начальник - nachal'nik) was renamed "military governor-general" (военнный генерал-губернатор - voyenny general-gubernator).
This office is roughly equals the post of speaker of regional or municipal parliament with executive powers.
In accordance with the city regulations of 1862 and 1870, Gorodskoy golova was elected for 4 years and approved by the Emperor.