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 381 - 390 of 443 Records

Letter to Mrs. C.G. (Ann) Austin, March 26, 1940
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    • Creator: Austin, Warren Robinson, 1877-1962.
    • Description: Letter to wife. Topics include invitation to dinner with President Franklin Pierce; Kansas and the Senate Committee on Territories; Representative James Meacham (VT) and alcohol; Representative Justin Morrill (VT).
    • Parent Collections: Letters Home From Congress


    Letter to Mrs. C.G. (Ann) Austin, April 26, 1940
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      • Creator: Austin, Warren Robinson, 1877-1962.
      • Description: Letter to daughter. Topics include mailing of government documents and speeches by Collamer; new Senate chambers; social calls.
      • Parent Collections: Letters Home From Congress


      Letter to Mrs. C.G. (Ann) Austin, July 15, 1939
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        • Creator: Austin, Warren Robinson, 1877-1962.
        • Description: Topics include debate over the immunity of state and municipal bonds from Federal taxation.
        • Parent Collections: Letters Home From Congress


        Letter to Mrs. C.G. (Ann) Austin, September 5, 1940
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          • Creator: Austin, Warren Robinson, 1877-1962.
          • Description: Letter to wife. Topics include party for the anniversary of the Battle of New Orleans at General Brown's; Crafts' introduction to General Lafayette and presentation of a resolution inviting him to visit Vermont.
          • Parent Collections: Letters Home From Congress


          Warren R. Austin letter to Mrs. C.G. (Ann) Austin, December 27, 1940
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            • Creator: Austin, Warren Robinson, 1877-1962.
            • Description: Letter to daughter and son-in-law. Topics include veto of Tariff Bill by President Tyler; Southern and Western Whig opinions to leave Washington without a Tariff Bill leaving the Federal Government without revenue; strategy meetings of Whigs from the Senate and House; idea to give up on public lands piece of Tariff Bill; treaty between Great Britain and the United States is before the Senate, with possible Locofoco (Democrat) opposition to it; the treaty settles boundary questions from St. Croix to the Rocky Mountains.
            • Parent Collections: Letters Home From Congress


            Warren R. Austin letter to Mrs. C.G. (Ann) Austin, May 9, 1941
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              • Creator: Austin, Warren Robinson, 1877-1962.
              • Description: Letter to wife. Topics include duel between General Mason and Captain McCarty of Virginia over a political quarrel resulting in the death of General Mason; debate over censure of General Andrew Jackson over his engagement of the war in Florida.
              • Parent Collections: Letters Home From Congress


              Warren R. Austin letter to Mrs. C.G. (Ann) Austin, May 13, 1941
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                • Creator: Austin, Warren Robinson, 1877-1962.
                • Description: Letter to brother-in-law. Topics include Federal deficit; debate over Missouri.
                • Parent Collections: Letters Home From Congress


                Letter to Mrs. C.G. (Ann) Austin, February 08, 1934
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                  • Creator: Austin, Warren Robinson, 1877-1962.
                  • Description: Topics include Big Navy Bill; Bankruptcy Bill.
                  • Parent Collections: Letters Home From Congress


                  Letter to Mrs. C.G. (Ann) Austin, March 31, 1934
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                    • Creator: Austin, Warren Robinson, 1877-1962.
                    • Description: Topics include President Roosevelt's message on monopolies.
                    • Parent Collections: Letters Home From Congress


                    Letter to Mrs. C.G. (Ann) Austin, April 21, 1934
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                      • Creator: Austin, Warren Robinson, 1877-1962.
                      • Description: Topics include Merchant Marine Bill and the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO).
                      • Parent Collections: Letters Home From Congress