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 101 - 104 of 104 Records

Letter to Eunice Todd Crafts, November 27, 1820
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    • Creator: Crafts, Samuel Chandler, 1768-1853.
    • Description: Topics include California; President and Mrs. Herbert Hoover.
    • Parent Collections: Letters Home From Congress


    Letter to Nathan and Mary Hill, July 3, 1842
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      • Creator: Crafts, Samuel Chandler, 1768-1853.
      • Description: Topics include Austin's role in two amendments of the Robinson-Putnam Bill.
      • Parent Collections: Letters Home From Congress


      Letter to Harriet Johnson, June 20, 1848
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        • Creator: Collamer, Jacob, 1791-1865.
        • Description: Topics include President Roosevelt's message on housing.
        • Parent Collections: Letters Home From Congress


        Letter to Mary N. Collamer, December 19, 1859
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          • Creator: Collamer, Jacob, 1791-1865.
          • Description: Topics include sub-committee hearings on nomination of Robert Jackson for the post of Solicitor General; Austin's duties as Assistant Minority Leader; farm bill; cloture vote on the filibuster of the anti-lynching bill.
          • Parent Collections: Letters Home From Congress