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.