Texas Buys Historic Sam Houston Papers

The state of Texas recently acquired a collection of rare historic documents from the final years of the Texas Republic.

The Texas Historical Commission spent about $16,000 for a stash of papers detailing the final years of the Texas Navy and a brewing controversy between president Republic of Texas president Sam Houston and Edwin Moore, commodore of the Texas Navy.

The collection was purchased at a New York auction (man those New Yorkers have everything) and presented Friday to Texas State Librarian Peggy Rudd. It will be stored at the Texas State Library and Archives in Austin, Texas.

The Texas Navy, commanded by Moore, patrolled the Gulf of Mexico, but Houston didn't support the fleet and led an effort to sell it. Interestingly, Moore then defeated the Mexican Navy in two engagements and returned to Galveston as a hero.

The discussion continues at The Alamo Site Forums...