Primary Source Sets
Sam Houston (1793–1863)
The resources in this primary source set are intended for classroom use. Click on a thumbnail image to view the original resource and download link for viewing and saving. Click on the caption next to the image to view the bibliographic record to share on a network or print. PDF documents are available for download to use in your classroom discussions. PDF
Letter to Sam Houston
Four page manuscript letter to Sam Houston from William G. Hill which is accompanied by the Goliad Declaration of Independence, an eight page manuscript. This was probably Sam Houston's copy, dated December 20, 1835. PDF
Documents relating to the Texas Cherokees
Certified copy of a Cherokee Indian Treaty (with transcription) obtained for legal action in the late nineteenth century. The first document is a certified copy of the 1835 treaty obtained by Sam Houston and John Forbes. PDF w/ Transcription (use with Intermediate Student Worksheet)
Surrender of Santa Anna
Print of Santa Anna's surrender to General Sam Houston during the Texas Revolution. 1836. PDF (use with our Online Student Interactive)
Treaty of Velasco
1836 copy of the Treaty of Velasco; negotiated by Sam Houston to achieve peace between Texas and Mexico. PDF
Sam Houston vs. James F. Perry, Executor
Legal case of Sam Houston, Apellant, vs. James F. Perry, Executor. 1837. PDF
Letter from Sam Houston to Charles Sims, August 12, 1838
Letter with orders from Sam Houston to Charles Sims instructing him to proceed to various Indian tribes to assure them that they will have peace. PDF w/ Transcription
Letter to Sam Houston from P. Clayton, January 26, 1853
Letter to Sam Houston from P. Clayton regarding claims by Baylor for bounty land, a horse killed in battle, and forage and rations during the Mexican War. PDF
Photograph of Sam Houston
Photograph from the Star of the Republic Museum. PDF
Speech of Senator Houston, of Texas
Speech delivered to the U.S. Senate on March 3, 1854 on the Nebraska and Kansas Bill. PDF (use with Advanced Student Worksheet)
Grimes County Document signed by Sam Houston
Statement certifying G.M. Mooring as Clerk of the County Court of Grimes County and signed by Governor Sam Houston. 1860. PDF
State Gazette : Austin, TX, 1860
Weekly newspaper from the Austin, Texas area that includes local, state, and national news along with advertising. (use with Reading & Vocabulary Comprehension worksheets).
Land Grant : Austin, TX, 1860
Land Grant for 160 acres in Denton County. PDF
Portrait of General Sam Houston
Hand-colored, engraved portrait of Sam Houston taken from a history book. This is a secondary source. PDF
Sam Houston
Portrait of Sam Houston from the Star of the Republic Museum. PDF
Portrait of Sam Houston
Engraved portrait of Sam Houston holding cane with signature below from the Star of the Republic Museum. PDF
Portrait of Sam Houston with cane
Portrait from the Star of the Republic Museum. PDF
Sam Houston
This drawing may be found in a book, titled Texas History Stories; Sam Houston, David Crockett, published in Richmond Virginia in 1901. This is a secondary source. PDF
"If you fail I will smite you to the Earth"
Houston obtained a wound by a barbed arrow in his thigh and could not pull it out after several attempts. He asked his lieutenant to try to do the same. After the attempt failed, he raised his sword and said "if you fail again I will smite you to the earth" (pp. 10-11). This is a secondary source. PDF (use with Beginning Student Worksheet)
