Letters Home From Congress
This collection features letters home from Warren R. Austin (Senator, 1931-1946), Jacob Collamer (Representative, 1843-1848; Senator, 1855-1865), and Samuel C. Crafts (Representative, 1817-1824; Senator, 1842-1843). The letters document travel to and from Washington by horse, boat, train, and airplane; lodging in boarding houses, hotels, and homes; social life in Washington; significant local and national events; and legislative issues under consideration in Congress. Austin's letters detail his frustrations serving as a Senator in the minority party during the era of Roosevelt and the New Deal; his activities on the Judiciary Committee; and foreign affairs topics such as the Neutrality Act. The letters of Crafts and Collamer both extensively cover the question of slavery, discussing Missouri statehood, John Brown, the annexation of Texas, and the Civil War. All three Congressmen frequently discuss questions regarding appropriations and the Federal budget.
Biographical information is available from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, at:
https://bioguide.congress.gov/
Showing 141 - 150 of 443 Records
Letter to Mrs. C.G. (Ann) Austin, June 21, 1940
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- Creator: Austin, Warren Robinson, 1877-1962.
- Description: Letter to wife. Topics include question of Missouri's acceptance into the United States by Congress and split between Northern and Southern members; federal deficit and consideration of reduction of pay for government employees; social life; invitation to dine at President James Monroe's.
- Parent Collections: Letters Home From Congress
Letter to Mrs. C.G. (Ann) Austin, August 5, 1940
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- Creator: Austin, Warren Robinson, 1877-1962.
- Description: Topics include newspaper coverage of Congress; length and slowness of current session.
- Parent Collections: Letters Home From Congress
Letter to Mrs. C.G. (Ann) Austin, March 24, 1939
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- Creator: Austin, Warren Robinson, 1877-1962.
- Description: Topics include appropriation for military preparedness; Germans at Channel Ports.
- Parent Collections: Letters Home From Congress
Letter to Mrs. C.G. (Ann) Austin, May 5, 1939
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- Creator: Austin, Warren Robinson, 1877-1962.
- Description: Topics include Military Affairs Committee and the appointment of Stimson as Secretary of War.
- Parent Collections: Letters Home From Congress
Letter to Mrs. C.G. (Ann) Austin, May 23, 1939
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- Creator: Austin, Warren Robinson, 1877-1962.
- Description: Topics include radio address by Austin from the World's Fair, "Revitalizing the Declaration of Independence in 1940"; foreign policy.
- Parent Collections: Letters Home From Congress
Letter to Mrs. C.G. (Ann) Austin, May 24, 1939
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- Creator: Austin, Warren Robinson, 1877-1962.
- Description: Topics include National Defense; campaign; nominations of Stimson and Knox; Military Affairs Committee and the Selective Service Bill; Wendell Wilkie.
- Parent Collections: Letters Home From Congress
Letter to Mrs. C.G. (Ann) Austin, May 25, 1939
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- Creator: Austin, Warren Robinson, 1877-1962.
- Description: Topics include National Defense; campaign; nominations of Stimson and Knox; Military Affairs Committee and the Selective Service Bill; Wendell Wilkie.
- Parent Collections: Letters Home From Congress
Letter to Mrs. C.G. (Ann) Austin, June 23, 1939
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- Creator: Austin, Warren Robinson, 1877-1962.
- Description: Topics include speeches by Senator Taft (OH), Vandenberg (MI), Norris (NE), and Wheeler (MT) against the Conscription Bill; Senator Lee (OK) amendment to the Conscription Bill.
- Parent Collections: Letters Home From Congress
Letter to Mrs. C.G. (Ann) Austin, December 29, 1939
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- Creator: Austin, Warren Robinson, 1877-1962.
- Description: Topics include debate over vacant West Virginia seat in the Senate.
- Parent Collections: Letters Home From Congress
Letter to Mrs. C.G. (Ann) Austin, January 4, 1940
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- Creator: Austin, Warren Robinson, 1877-1962.
- Description: Letter to daughter and son-in-law. Topics include effect of severe weather on obtaining a quorum in the Senate; health of Senator Samuel Phelps (VT); church meeting preached by Dr. Nott, President of Union College, Schenectady, New York; boarding accommodations in Washington, DC.
- Parent Collections: Letters Home From Congress