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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Showing 1 - 10 of 16 Records

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Miniature of Letter to Nathan and Mary Hill, August 1, 1842
Letter to Nathan and Mary Hill, August 1, 1842
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    • Creator: Crafts, Samuel Chandler, 1768-1853.
    • Description: Topics include Senate speeches on the appropriation of relief funds.
    • Parent Collections: Letters Home From Congress
    Miniature of Letter to Nathan and Mary Hill, June 18, 1842
    Letter to Nathan and Mary Hill, June 18, 1842
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      • Creator: Crafts, Samuel Chandler, 1768-1853.
      • Description: Topics include a Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing for a Federal Judge of the 5th Circuit, Edwin Holmes, which pitted Senator Bilbo against Senator Harrison, both from Mississippi.
      • Parent Collections: Letters Home From Congress
      Miniature of Letter to Nathan and Mary Hill, June 25, 1842
      Letter to Nathan and Mary Hill, June 25, 1842
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        • Creator: Crafts, Samuel Chandler, 1768-1853.
        • Description: Topics include Austin's commentary on the conduct of an impeachment trial of Judge Ritter of Florida.
        • Parent Collections: Letters Home From Congress
        Miniature of Letter to Nathan and Mary Hill, December 11, 1842
        Letter to Nathan and Mary Hill, December 11, 1842
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          • Creator: Crafts, Samuel Chandler, 1768-1853.
          • Description: Topics include Neutrality Bill.
          • Parent Collections: Letters Home From Congress
          Miniature of Letter to Nathan and Mary Hill, August 14, 1842
          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
            Miniature of Letter to Matilda Corbin, July 7, 1842
            Letter to Matilda Corbin, July 7, 1842
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              • Creator: Crafts, Samuel Chandler, 1768-1853.
              • Description: Topics include Supreme Court and Circuit Court of Appeals of the District of Columbia decisions, which "held invalid parts of the New Deal usurpation of legislative power of the sovereignty of several States."
              • Parent Collections: Letters Home From Congress
              Miniature of Letter to Mary Hill, July 10, 1842
              Letter to Mary Hill, July 10, 1842
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                • Creator: Crafts, Samuel Chandler, 1768-1853.
                • Description: Topics include speech to be given by Senator Austin at the Al Koran Temple of the Shrine in Cleveland, Ohio at luncheon in honor of delegates to the Republican National Convention.
                • Parent Collections: Letters Home From Congress
                Miniature of Letter to Pliny Corbin, July 13, 1842
                Letter to Pliny Corbin, July 13, 1842
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                  • Creator: Crafts, Samuel Chandler, 1768-1853.
                  • Description: Topics include Republican National Convention.
                  • Parent Collections: Letters Home From Congress
                  Miniature of Letter to Nathan and Mary Hill, August 7, 1842
                  Letter to Nathan and Mary Hill, August 7, 1842
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                    • Creator: Crafts, Samuel Chandler, 1768-1853.
                    • Description: Topics include President Roosevelt and the Supreme Court.
                    • Parent Collections: Letters Home From Congress
                    Miniature of Letter to Nathan and Mary Hill, June 11, 1842
                    Letter to Nathan and Mary Hill, June 11, 1842
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                      • Creator: Crafts, Samuel Chandler, 1768-1853.
                      • Description: Topics include radio broadcasts of two Austin speeches: "The Supreme Court and Government by the People," and "Lincoln and Home Rule". Includes transcripts of speeches.
                      • Parent Collections: Letters Home From Congress