The Thomas Hart Benton Collection consists of political correspondence, family letters, family papers, newspaper articles, circulars, photographs, and genealogy and research notes. The collection contains original documents, typescripts, and photostats. The material in Box 1 relates primarily to Benton's career in the newspaper business in St. Louis and the beginning of his political career. Among the items are letters relating to Benton's involvement in the Barton-Hempstead duel and Benton's duel with Charles Lucas, fought in St. Louis in 1817. Folder 2 contains articles from the Missouri Intelligencer and Boonslick Advertiser concerning Benton's politics, 1821-1828. Folder 3 contains Benton's letters to friends and family regarding his marriage to Elizabeth McDowell in 1821. Folder 4 contains an original copy of a counter petition circulated on Benton's behalf by citizens of Missouri in response to an earlier petition citing Benton's unworthiness to hold office. Folder 5 contains articles written by Benton regarding the annexation of Texas. Folder 7 contains a facsimile of the Expunging Resolution of 1837, Benton's successful attempt to remove the censure placed on Andrew Jackson by the U.S. Senate in 1834. The collection contains letters from Benton to Andrew Jackson, Henry Clay, General John Preston, Reverend Finis Ewing, Father De Smet, Missouri Governor David Dunklin, and others regarding Missouri politics, Democratic politics, Jacksonian issues, the Bank of the United States, the salt tax, and John C. Fremont's expedition to the West. Box 2 contains a bound copy of the letter written by Benton declining a chance to run as vice-president under Martin Van Buren. The collection contains numerous family letters written by Thomas, his brothers Jesse and Samuel, his mother Ann, and various nephews, as well as, Benton's daughter Jesse Ann Benton Fremont. The letters contain information about family slaves, the emigration of Samuel and his family to the Sabine River region of Texas, Jesse Benton, Jr.'s studies at Marion College, and other family business.