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 11 - 20 of 104 Records

Letter to Mary N. Collamer, May 15, 1858
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    • Creator: Collamer, Jacob, 1791-1865.
    • Description: Topics include filibuster and a petition for cloture related to the Anti-Lynching Bill.
    • Parent Collections: Letters Home From Congress


    Letter to Mary N. Collamer, November 27, 1845
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      • Creator: Collamer, Jacob, 1791-1865.
      • Description: Topics include Austin's efforts to amend the Housing Bill; fast pace of Senate activity.
      • Parent Collections: Letters Home From Congress


      Letter to Mary N. Collamer, January 19, 1846
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        • Creator: Collamer, Jacob, 1791-1865.
        • Description: Topics include overriding of a Presidential veto, 71 to 19; recommitting of the Court Bill to the Judiciary Committee.
        • Parent Collections: Letters Home From Congress


        Letter to Mary N. Collamer, December 20, 1857
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          • Creator: Collamer, Jacob, 1791-1865.
          • Description: Topics include Judiciary Committee business; National Labor Relations Board; Anti-Lynching Bill; Conference Report on Farm Bill.
          • Parent Collections: Letters Home From Congress


          Letter to William Collamer, January 24, 1848
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            • Creator: Collamer, Jacob, 1791-1865.
            • Description: Topics include Senator Byrnes (SC) speech on the Reorganization Bill; Anti-Lynching Bill debate and Senator Tom Connally (TX).
            • Parent Collections: Letters Home From Congress


            Letter to Mary N. Collamer, June 26, 1856
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              • Creator: Collamer, Jacob, 1791-1865.
              • Description: Topics include farm bill and the absence of New England Senators on the Agricultural Committee.
              • Parent Collections: Letters Home From Congress


              Letter to Mary N. Collamer, December 3, 1848
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                • Creator: Collamer, Jacob, 1791-1865.
                • Description: Topics include farm bill.
                • Parent Collections: Letters Home From Congress


                Letter to Eunice Todd Crafts, January 1, 1819
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                  • Creator: Crafts, Samuel Chandler, 1768-1853.
                  • Description: Topics include agriculture appropriations; indian appropriations; senate committees; anti-injunction bill.
                  • Parent Collections: Letters Home From Congress


                  Letter to Samuel P. Crafts, February 3, 1822
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                    • Creator: Crafts, Samuel Chandler, 1768-1853.
                    • Description: Topics include Tariff; delegation of powers to the President.
                    • Parent Collections: Letters Home From Congress


                    Letter to Nathan and Mary Hill, August 1, 1842
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                      • Creator: Crafts, Samuel Chandler, 1768-1853.
                      • Description: Topics include Senate speeches on the appropriation of relief funds.
                      • Parent Collections: Letters Home From Congress