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 21 - 30 of 104 Records

Letter to Samuel P. Crafts, November 19, 1820
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    • Creator: Crafts, Samuel Chandler, 1768-1853.
    • Description: Topics include Roosevelt in the boat Seqouia on the Potomac; Senator Metcalf's boat Felicia on the Potomac; Fort Washington; impeachment trial of Judge Lauderbach.
    • Parent Collections: Letters Home From Congress


    Letter to Benjamin Clark, February 21, 1818
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      • Creator: Crafts, Samuel Chandler, 1768-1853.
      • Description: Topics include Memorial to Senator Greene; political speeches; inefficiency of the Senate.
      • Parent Collections: Letters Home From Congress


      Letter to Mary Collamer, January 14 1844
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        • Creator: Collamer, Jacob, 1791-1865.
        • Description: Topics include Court Bill hearings in the Judiciary Committee.
        • Parent Collections: Letters Home From Congress


        Letter to Mary N. Collamer, December 26, 1858
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          • Creator: Collamer, Jacob, 1791-1865.
          • Description: Topics include debate on the Bill to Reorganize the Government and a speech on the Bill by Senator Wheeler (MT).
          • Parent Collections: Letters Home From Congress


          Letter to Mary N. Collamer, December 12, 1858
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            • Creator: Collamer, Jacob, 1791-1865.
            • Description: Topics include Austin's changing of his seat in the Senate, with a diagram; lack of Republicans in the Senate; filibuster of Anti-Lynching Bill.
            • Parent Collections: Letters Home From Congress


            Letter to Nathan and Mary Hill, June 18, 1842
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              • Creator: Crafts, Samuel Chandler, 1768-1853.
              • Description: Topics include a Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing for a Federal Judge of the 5th Circuit, Edwin Holmes, which pitted Senator Bilbo against Senator Harrison, both from Mississippi.
              • Parent Collections: Letters Home From Congress


              Letter to Nathan and Mary Hill, June 25, 1842
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                • Creator: Crafts, Samuel Chandler, 1768-1853.
                • Description: Topics include Austin's commentary on the conduct of an impeachment trial of Judge Ritter of Florida.
                • Parent Collections: Letters Home From Congress


                Letter to Samuel P. Crafts, December 24, 1821
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                  • Creator: Crafts, Samuel Chandler, 1768-1853.
                  • Description: Topics include bill for regulation of the stock exchange; air mail issue.
                  • Parent Collections: Letters Home From Congress


                  Letter to Samuel P. Crafts, April 8, 1822
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                    • Creator: Crafts, Samuel Chandler, 1768-1853.
                    • Description: Topics include Austin's work on the Thirty Hour Bill.
                    • Parent Collections: Letters Home From Congress


                    Letter to Samuel P. Crafts, February 15, 1824
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                      • Creator: Crafts, Samuel Chandler, 1768-1853.
                      • Description: Topics include Farm Owners Loan Bill; Austin's impression of a Huey Long speech listened to by packed galleries.
                      • Parent Collections: Letters Home From Congress