G. William Whitehurst Papers

Access and use

Location of collection:
Washington and Lee University, Leyburn Library
Special Collections and Archives
James G. Leyburn Library
Washington and Lee University
204 W. Washington Street
Lexington, VA 24450
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Tom Camden
Phone: (540) 458-8649
Phone: (540) 463-8109
Fax: (540) 463-8964
Restrictions:

This collection is open for research use.

Terms of access:

The materials from Washington and Lee University Special Collections are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. The user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used should be fully credited with the source. Permission for publication of this material, in part or in full, must be secured with the Head of Special Collections.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], G. William Whitehurst Papers, WLU Coll. 0378, Special Collections, Leyburn Library, Washington and Lee University, Lexington, VA. In some cases the citation format may vary. Please contact Special Collections staff to verify the appropriate format.

Summary

Extent:
230 Linear Feet Congressional Records - uncataloged and 56 Linear Feet Represented by this finding aid - WLU-Coll-0378
Creator:
Whitehurst, G. William
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], G. William Whitehurst Papers, WLU Coll. 0378, Special Collections, Leyburn Library, Washington and Lee University, Lexington, VA. In some cases the citation format may vary. Please contact Special Collections staff to verify the appropriate format.

Background

Scope and content:

The General Files contain various letters and other materials sent to Whitehurst by constituents and associates and typically include his reply. The subjects dealt with in these files cover the general comments pertaining to local and national matters of interest as well as current legislative issues and Republican Party business. Among the notable issues included in the General Files are files of correspondence covering the Watergate scandal, the Vietnam War, and the oil crises of the 1970's.

The Legislative sample pertains to specific bills which were pending in Congress. This sample predictably includes a great number of letters from various lobby groups. The Whitehurst collection provides insight into the prevelant viewpoints of the American public, as represented by the members of Whitehurst's district, on the pressing issues of the day. In addition, researchers utilizing this collection should also be able with some accuracy to ascertain not only the attitudes of the average citizen, but also to gain an understanding of the wide variety of tasks and matters a Congressman must necessarily deal with each day.

Contains correspondence concerning: - support for president Nixon in Watergate affair - opposition for president Nixon in Watergate affair - calling for impeachment of president Nixon in watergate affair. Also contains correspondence from citizens neither supporting or opposing the president, but urging primarily that watergate be put behind us so country can return to normalcy. Furthermore, contains staff acknowledgements for newspaper articles sent. Finally, concludes correspondence with consituent viocing lack of confidence in Congress.

Contains correspondence related to constituents voicing support for president Nixon, calling for impeachment over the Watergate affair. Also has correspondence from citizens neither supporting or opposing president Nixon, but urging primarily that Watergate be put behind us so country can return to normalcy. Furthermore, contains correspondence concerning: -the firing of the prosecutor in Watergate inquiry - the appointing of a special prosecutor - perceived press distortion of the news. Finally, folder contains correspondence with students (eighth graders) who are required to write letters to their congressman expressing their views on the Watergate affair.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard