James Morgan papers

The James Morgan Papers collection contains correspondence, bills, receipts, maps, military orders and other military records that belonged to Colonel James Morgan. Many of these papers relate to the Texas Revolution, land speculation in Texas, slavery, Morgan's military service and his business activities. Morgan’s primary business activity in Texas was as the local agent for the New Washington Association and later the Navasota Association, but he also had interest in some mercantile firms, such as Morgan & Reed and Morgan Richardson & Co. Records from these companies will be found within the collection. A large part of the collection consists of correspondence and records dating to when Morgan served as Commandant of Galveston Island during the Texas Revolution. These records include many items related to the Mexican prisoners under Morgan’s care at Fort Travis. His primary correspondents are Samuel Swartwout and James Treat, relating to his partnerships with them. Other correspondents include various Texas officials, such as David G. Burnet, Mirabeau Lamar, and Sam Houston, and men who served under him at Galveston.