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 351 - 360 of 443 Records

Letter to Eunice Todd Crafts, November 19, 1820
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    • Creator: Crafts, Samuel Chandler, 1768-1853.
    • Description: Topics include investigating appointments of Receivers in Bankruptcy by Federal judges in California.
    • Parent Collections: Letters Home From Congress


    Letter to Mrs. C.G. (Ann) Austin, February 8, 1937
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      • Creator: Austin, Warren Robinson, 1877-1962.
      • Description: Topics include National Defense Bill.
      • Parent Collections: Letters Home From Congress


      Letter to Mrs. C.G. (Ann) Austin, March 3, 1937
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        • Creator: Austin, Warren Robinson, 1877-1962.
        • Description: Topics include Austin's participation in the debate on the National Defense Bill.
        • Parent Collections: Letters Home From Congress


        Letter to Mrs. C.G. (Ann) Austin, April 22, 1937
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          • Creator: Austin, Warren Robinson, 1877-1962.
          • Description: Topics include passing of the Common Defense Bill; Senator Tydings (MD) speech on housing; visit of Arthur Packard, President of the Vermont Farm Bureau, and discussion of Packard's ideas on managed currency.
          • Parent Collections: Letters Home From Congress


          Letter to Mary N. Collamer, February 24, 1856
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            • Creator: Collamer, Jacob, 1791-1865.
            • Description: Topics include farm bill and Vermont dairy farmers and egg producers.
            • Parent Collections: Letters Home From Congress


            Letter to Mrs. C.G. (Ann) Austin, October 18, 1933
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              • Creator: Austin, Warren Robinson, 1877-1962.
              • Description: Topics include speech by Senator Frazier and Austin's opinion of the tax bill.
              • Parent Collections: Letters Home From Congress


              Letter to Mrs. C.G. (Ann) Austin, May 21, 1940
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                • Creator: Austin, Warren Robinson, 1877-1962.
                • Description: Letter to wife. Topics include Missouri and slavery; Federal deficit and Government spending; Representative Henry W. Edwards (CT) and the Connecticut delegation; Representative Timothy Pitkin (CT); Representative Samuel B. Sherwood (CT)
                • Parent Collections: Letters Home From Congress


                Letter to Mrs. C.G. (Ann) Austin, May 29, 1940
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                  • Creator: Austin, Warren Robinson, 1877-1962.
                  • Description: Topics include Spanish war; Florida and slavery; Representative Henry Clay's (KY) aspirations to become President after President James Monroe; Secretary of State John Quincy Adams; Representative Joel Crawford (GA).
                  • Parent Collections: Letters Home From Congress


                  Letter to Mrs. C.G. (Ann) Austin, June 11, 1940
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                    • Creator: Austin, Warren Robinson, 1877-1962.
                    • Description: Letter to wife. Topics include adjournment of Congress.
                    • Parent Collections: Letters Home From Congress


                    Letter to Mrs. C.G. (Ann) Austin, July 18, 1940
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                      • Creator: Austin, Warren Robinson, 1877-1962.
                      • Description: Letter to son. Topics include traveling from Albany, NY to Washington, DC; beginning of Congressional session and search for a new Speaker of the House; lodgings in Washington, DC.
                      • Parent Collections: Letters Home From Congress