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/

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Miniature of Letter to Samuel P. Crafts, February 3, 1822
Letter to Samuel P. Crafts, February 3, 1822
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    • Creator: Crafts, Samuel Chandler, 1768-1853.
    • Description: Topics include Tariff; delegation of powers to the President.
    • Parent Collections: Letters Home From Congress
    Miniature of Letter to Samuel P. Crafts, April 8, 1822
    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
      Miniature of Letter to Samuel P. Crafts, April 22, 1822
      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
        Miniature of Letter to Samuel P. Crafts, March 3, 1822
        Letter to Samuel P. Crafts, March 3, 1822
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          • Creator: Crafts, Samuel Chandler, 1768-1853.
          • Description: Topics include Judiciary subcommittee consideration of the Black Thirty Hour Bill. Austin remarks that he looks to be the only member of the subcommittee opposed to the bill.
          • Parent Collections: Letters Home From Congress
          Miniature of Letter to James A. Paddock, April 7, 1822
          Letter to James A. Paddock, April 7, 1822
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            • Creator: Crafts, Samuel Chandler, 1768-1853.
            • Description: Topics include Gold Decision of the Supreme Court; lengthy commentary, with quotations from Court decisions, regarding a shift in favor of the Government and against citizen's property and rights.
            • Parent Collections: Letters Home From Congress