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 391 - 400 of 443 Records

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, July 29, 1939
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      • Creator: Austin, Warren Robinson, 1877-1962.
      • Description: Topics include election results.
      • Parent Collections: Letters Home From Congress


      Letter to Mrs. C.G. (Ann) Austin, May 14, 1935
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        • Creator: Austin, Warren Robinson, 1877-1962.
        • Description: Topics include upcoming election in the Republican Caucus of Senate leaders; confirmation prospects for appointments of Harry Hopkins as Secretary of Commerce and Frank Murphy as Attorney General.
        • Parent Collections: Letters Home From Congress


        Letter to Mrs. C.G. (Ann) Austin, April 7, 1936
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          • Creator: Austin, Warren Robinson, 1877-1962.
          • Description: Topics include foreign policy and the plan for national defense in the Military Affairs Committee; President Roosevelt meeting with the Military Affairs Committee at the White House; Relief Bill; Judiciary Committee.
          • Parent Collections: Letters Home From Congress


          Letter to Mrs. C.G. (Ann) Austin, January 23, 1939
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            • Creator: Austin, Warren Robinson, 1877-1962.
            • Description: Topics include speech by Senator Burke (NE) on the Burke-Wadsworth Conscription Bill; amendment by Senator Lee (OK) on Conscription Bill; acceptance by Wilkie of Republican nomination for President.
            • Parent Collections: Letters Home From Congress


            Letter to Mrs. C.G. (Ann) Austin, February 20, 1939
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              • Creator: Austin, Warren Robinson, 1877-1962.
              • Description: Topics include Senator Tobey (NH) resolution; Justice Black; Presidential power.
              • Parent Collections: Letters Home From Congress


              Letter to Mrs. C.G. (Ann) Austin, June 29, 1939
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                • Creator: Austin, Warren Robinson, 1877-1962.
                • Description: Topics include Austin's duties as Assistant Minority Leader in the Senate; debate over Conscription Bill.
                • Parent Collections: Letters Home From Congress


                Letter to Mrs. C.G. (Ann) Austin, May 13, 1940
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                  • Creator: Austin, Warren Robinson, 1877-1962.
                  • Description: Letter to wife. Topics include boarding houses; new House chambers and difficulty of hearing speakers.
                  • Parent Collections: Letters Home From Congress


                  Letter to Mrs. C.G. (Ann) Austin, May 23, 1940
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                    • Creator: Austin, Warren Robinson, 1877-1962.
                    • Description: Letter to son. Topics include mail robbery north of Baltimore; duel between Commodore Stephen Decatur and Commodore James Barron resulting in the death of Decatur; Decatur's funeral.
                    • Parent Collections: Letters Home From Congress


                    Letter to Mrs. C.G. (Ann) Austin, June 6, 1940
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                      • Creator: Austin, Warren Robinson, 1877-1962.
                      • Description: Letter to wife. Topics include negotiations with Spain.
                      • Parent Collections: Letters Home From Congress