These papers relate to the activities of Sam Houston mainly while he was governor of Tennessee, President of the Republic of Texas, and U. S. Senator from Texas. Included among the legal documents are photocopies from a lengthy land dispute with James H. Starr. The correspondence includes copies of seven letters to Eber Worthington Cave, mostly written in the last year of Houston's life, as well as one to Adolphus Sterne in 1842. All were omitted from the publication of 'The Writings of Sam Houston'. These and other letters discuss politics, the Civil War, and family matters. The collection also includes biographical materials with much about Houston's first marriage in Tennessee to Eliza Allen; genealogical materials; and information about memorial tributes to Houston (stamps, museums, portraits). Other persons associated with the collection include Stephen F. Austin, Margaret Lea Houston, Presidents John Tyler and Zachary Taylor, Thomas J. Rusk, and several Civil War leaders. Photocopies of six original documents signed by Houston, which are in the ETRC, are included.