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 41 - 50 of 104 Records

Letter to Mary N. Collamer, December 11, 1859
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    • Creator: Collamer, Jacob, 1791-1865.
    • Parent Collections: Letters Home From Congress


    Letter to Eunice Todd Crafts, April 15, 1820
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      • Creator: Crafts, Samuel Chandler, 1768-1853.
      • Description: Topics include Senator Blaine filibuster; Agricultural Colleges; Extension Service; Vocational Education; bank closings; Presidential inauguration.
      • Parent Collections: Letters Home From Congress


      Letter to Harriet Johnson, April 7, 1844
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        • Creator: Collamer, Jacob, 1791-1865.
        • Description: Topics include debate on the Conference Report on the Neutrality Bill; Senator McNarry and Austin's duties as Assistant Minority Leader; Court Bill in the Judiciary Committee.
        • Parent Collections: Letters Home From Congress


        Letter to Mary Collamer, December 14, 1845
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          • Creator: Collamer, Jacob, 1791-1865.
          • Description: Topics include Senate floor debate over Court Bill.
          • Parent Collections: Letters Home From Congress


          Letter to Mary Collamer, January 24, 1847
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            • Creator: Collamer, Jacob, 1791-1865.
            • Description: Topics include letter received by Senator McCarran from Mrs. C.G. Austin.
            • Parent Collections: Letters Home From Congress


            Letter to Mary Collamer, January 8, 1846
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              • Creator: Collamer, Jacob, 1791-1865.
              • Description: Topics include death and funeral of Senator Robinson; President Roosevelt and the Court Packing Bill.
              • Parent Collections: Letters Home From Congress


              Letter to Mary N. Collamer, July 8, 1848
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                • Creator: Collamer, Jacob, 1791-1865.
                • Description: Topics include Secretary of Agriculture's opposition to the farm bill being considered in a Special Session of the Senate.
                • Parent Collections: Letters Home From Congress


                Letter to Mary N. Collamer, April 13, 1856
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                  • Creator: Collamer, Jacob, 1791-1865.
                  • Description: Topics include the maximum authorization of money for the farm bill; soil erosion projects.
                  • Parent Collections: Letters Home From Congress


                  Letter to Mary N. Collamer, February 7, 1848
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                    • Creator: Collamer, Jacob, 1791-1865.
                    • Description: Topics include farm bill and centralization of power in the Federal government.
                    • Parent Collections: Letters Home From Congress


                    Letter to Mary N. Collamer, February 13, 1859
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                      • Creator: Collamer, Jacob, 1791-1865.
                      • Description: Topics include Seantor Austin's speech in Utica, NY on Lincoln's birthday; tie vote in Judiciary Committee on Equal Rights for Women, Austin voted for it.
                      • Parent Collections: Letters Home From Congress