Our Collection

At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

Houston, Sam (1793-1863) to Albert S. Johnston re: preparing for attack on San Antonio

High-resolution images are available to schools and libraries via subscription to American History, 1493-1943. Check to see if your school or library already has a subscription. Or click here for more information. You may also order a pdf of the image from us here.

Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02401 Author/Creator: Houston, Sam (1793-1863) Place Written: City of Houston Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 1838/04/08 Pagination: 3 p. + addr. 25.2 x 20.1 cm Order a Copy

Signed as General. Commanding Johnston to have all militia in readiness for a possible attack, and giving permission to organize a military court. Houston also asks that Johnston inform the Comanche Indians and, if possible, to allow their chiefs visit the seat of government.

Houston, Sam, 1793-1863
Johnston, Albert Sidney, 1803-1862

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources