Skip to main content

SCOUT

Special Collections Online at UT

Letter to General Samuel Houston

 Collection
Identifier: MS-0804

  • Staff Only

This collection consists of a single letter written to General Sam Houston and signed by several parties including John Thomas, John M. Cox, and John C. Rutledge. Dated July 5, 1848, from Blountville, Tennessee, the letter persuades General Sam Houston to visit East Tennessee and make appointments with regional figures as the men there would carry out the "great democratic principles of the nation."

Dates

  • 1848 July 5

Conditions Governing Access

Collections are stored offsite and must be requested in advance. See www.special.lib.utk.edu for detailed information. Collections must be requested through a registered Special Collections research account.

Conditions Governing Use

The UT Libraries claims only physical ownership of most material in the collections. Persons wishing to broadcast or publish this material must assume all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any claimants on www.special.lib.utk.edu for detailed information. Collections must be requested through a registered Special Collections research account.

Extent

0.1 Linear Feet (1 folder)

Abstract

This collection consists of a single letter written to General Sam Houston and signed by several parties including John Thomas, John M. Cox, and John C. Rutledge.

Biographical/Historical Note

General Sam Houston was born on March 2, 1793 near Lexington, Virginia. After his father’s death in 1806, the Houston family moved to Maryville, Tennessee where Houston became acquainted with the Cherokee. In 1813, Houston joined the Army and became a war hero shortly after joining. General Andrew Jackson appointed Houston to his headquarters. It was there he became involved in politics. He served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1823-1826 and became Governor of Tennessee in 1827.

In 1829, Houston resigned as Governor and left Tennessee. He eventually settled in Texas and served as Major General in the fight for independence from Mexico. Houston became highly involved in the new Republic of Texas's politics that he served as President from 1836 to 1838 and again from 1841-1844. In 1845, he was elected Senator and served three terms. He was elected Governor of Texas in 1859, but he was deposed on March 18, 1861 because he would not sign an oath of allegiance to the Confederate States of America. Houston died in Huntsville, Texas on July 26, 1863 and is buried in Oakwood Cemetery.

Arrangement

This collection is in a single folder.

Acquisition Note

This collection was purchased by Special Collections in 1974.

Repository Details

Part of the Betsey B. Creekmore Special Collections and University Archives, University of Tennessee, Knoxville Repository

Contact:
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Knoxville TN 37996 USA
865-974-4480