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 31 - 40 of 104 Records

Letter to Eunice Todd Crafts, May 8, 1820
Image nop
    • Creator: Crafts, Samuel Chandler, 1768-1853.
    • Description: Topics include Emergency Farm Mortgage Act; Presidential power; Agricultural Colleges; Extension Service; Industrial Education.
    • Parent Collections: Letters Home From Congress


    Letter to Nathan and Mary Hill, December 11, 1842
    Image nop
      • Creator: Crafts, Samuel Chandler, 1768-1853.
      • Description: Topics include Pure Food and Drug Bill; Court Bill hearings in the Judiciary Committee and opposition by Democrats; Guffey Coal Bill.
      • Parent Collections: Letters Home From Congress


      Letter to Eunice Todd Crafts, April 30, 1820
      Image nop
        • Creator: Crafts, Samuel Chandler, 1768-1853.
        • Description: Topics include President Roosevelt's bank bill; Economy bill.
        • Parent Collections: Letters Home From Congress


        Letter to Mary Collamer, February 2, 1845
        Image nop
          • Creator: Collamer, Jacob, 1791-1865.
          • Description: Topics include burden of committee work for minority party.
          • Parent Collections: Letters Home From Congress


          Letter to Mary Collamer, January 2, 1859
          Image nop
            • Creator: Collamer, Jacob, 1791-1865.
            • Description: Topics include filibuster of Anti-Lynching Bill; sub-committee work on constitutional amendments, changes in the judiciary system, immigration, appointment of N.J. Senator, and equal rights of women.
            • Parent Collections: Letters Home From Congress


            Letter to Nathan and Mary Hill, December 11, 1842
            Image nop
              • Creator: Crafts, Samuel Chandler, 1768-1853.
              • Description: Topics include Neutrality Bill.
              • Parent Collections: Letters Home From Congress


              Letter to Samuel P. Crafts, December 3, 1821
              Image nop
                • Creator: Crafts, Samuel Chandler, 1768-1853.
                • Description: Topics include filibuster by southern Senators to prevent consideration of the anti-lynching bill; Senator Glass; Senator Bankhead.
                • Parent Collections: Letters Home From Congress


                Letter to Mary Collamer, February 14, 1847
                Image nop
                  • Creator: Collamer, Jacob, 1791-1865.
                  • Description: Topics include lunch with Herber Hoover; Austin's duties as Assistant Minority Leader.
                  • Parent Collections: Letters Home From Congress


                  Letter to Mary N. Collamer, February 14, 1849
                  Image nop
                    • Creator: Collamer, Jacob, 1791-1865.
                    • Description: Topics include visit to Washington of Alfred Landon and Col. Frank Knox; requests made of Austin to be a candidate for President; Governor Aiken; farm bill.
                    • Parent Collections: Letters Home From Congress


                    Letter to Mary N. Collamer, March 5, 1849
                    Image nop
                      • Creator: Collamer, Jacob, 1791-1865.
                      • Description: Topics include visit to Washington of Alfred Landon and Col. Frank Knox; dinner at Gridiron Club with President, Vice-President and others; remarks about Austin by Senator Pope.
                      • Parent Collections: Letters Home From Congress