Washington (CNN) Officials at the National Archives and Records Administration -- the agency tasked with managing official government records -- were in touch with the State Department about plans to preserve former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's records shortly before she left that office, newly released emails reveal.

The emails were obtained by CNN through a Freedom of Information Act request submitted to NARA in March, shortly after it was revealed that the former secretary exclusively used a personal email server while in office, preventing many from being archived until she ultimately submitted them to the Department.

One email in particular shows that concerns were raised two and a half years ago that any retention of documents on Clinton's part could create controversy.

"Before I forget," Chief Records Officer for U.S. Government Paul Wester told two of his colleagues in December 2012, "when we meet later this week we need to discuss what we know, and how we should delicately go about learning more about, regarding the transition plans for Secretary Clinton's departure from State."

Wester then refers to someone identified only as Tom who, "heard (or thought he heard) from the Clinton Library Director that there are or may be plans afoot for taking her records from State to Little Rock."

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