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 51 - 60 of 104 Records

Letter to Eunice Todd Crafts, December 7, 1819
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    • Creator: Crafts, Samuel Chandler, 1768-1853.
    • Description: Topics include The Tarriff Act of 1930; first Senate speech compared to speeches Austin has made in court
    • Parent Collections: Letters Home From Congress


    Letter to Samuel P. Crafts, December 20, 1820
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      • Creator: Crafts, Samuel Chandler, 1768-1853.
      • Description: Topics include Austin speech in Senate on the Gold Reserve Act of 1934 and reaction from fellow Senators and constituents.
      • Parent Collections: Letters Home From Congress


      Letter to Eunice Crafts, January 9, 1825
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        • Creator: Crafts, Samuel Chandler, 1768-1853.
        • Description: Topics include Agricultural Adjustment Act.
        • Parent Collections: Letters Home From Congress


        Letter to Doctor Eli Todd, January 30, 1820
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          • Creator: Crafts, Samuel Chandler, 1768-1853.
          • Description: Topics include Merger bill
          • Parent Collections: Letters Home From Congress


          Letter to Mary N. Collamer, March 2, 1862
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            • Creator: Collamer, Jacob, 1791-1865.
            • Description: Topics include Judiciary sub-committee testimony on the need for an additional Judge in the Northern District of Georgia; cloture vote on the filibuster of the anti-lynching bill.
            • Parent Collections: Letters Home From Congress


            Letter to Samuel P. Crafts, April 22, 1822
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              • Creator: Crafts, Samuel Chandler, 1768-1853.
              • Description: Topics include Austin's reading of Washington's Farewell Address, an annual event in the Senate.
              • Parent Collections: Letters Home From Congress


              Letter to Nathan and Mary Hill, August 14, 1842
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                • Creator: Crafts, Samuel Chandler, 1768-1853.
                • Description: Topics include Tarriff debate; speeches by Austin and Representative Charles A. Plumley (VT) about Ethan Allen.
                • Parent Collections: Letters Home From Congress


                Letter to Eunice Crafts, February 7, 1824
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                  • Creator: Crafts, Samuel Chandler, 1768-1853.
                  • Description: Topics include a speech by Senator Wheeler; Austin assisting Senator McNary, Minority Leader, in the absence of a Minority Whip; Black Thirty Hour Bill.
                  • Parent Collections: Letters Home From Congress


                  Letter to Eunice Todd Crafts, February 20, 1820
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                    • Creator: Crafts, Samuel Chandler, 1768-1853.
                    • Description: Topics include The Mayflower; Merger Bill; Democrats blocking Republican nominations; Philippine Bill.
                    • Parent Collections: Letters Home From Congress


                    Letter to Eunice Todd Crafts, December 3, 1820
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                      • Creator: Crafts, Samuel Chandler, 1768-1853.
                      • Description: Topics include California; Yosemite.
                      • Parent Collections: Letters Home From Congress