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/

List

Gallery

Information

Showing 1 - 5 of 5 Records

Relevance Title (A-Z) Title (Z-A) Year (0-9) Year (9-0)
10 25 50 100
Active filters
Created Date Year Sort: 1845   Remove all  

5 text
Miniature of Letter to Mary N. Collamer, January 26, 1845
Letter to Mary N. Collamer, January 26, 1845
Image nop
    • Creator: Collamer, Jacob, 1791-1865.
    • Description: Topics include Relief Appropriation Bill; centralization of power in the Federal government.
    • Parent Collections: Letters Home From Congress
    Miniature of Letter to Mary N. Collamer, November 27, 1845
    Letter to Mary N. Collamer, November 27, 1845
    Image nop
      • Creator: Collamer, Jacob, 1791-1865.
      • Description: Topics include Austin's efforts to amend the Housing Bill; fast pace of Senate activity.
      • Parent Collections: Letters Home From Congress
      Miniature of Letter to Mary Collamer, February 2, 1845
      Letter to Mary Collamer, February 2, 1845
      Image nop
        • Creator: Collamer, Jacob, 1791-1865.
        • Description: Topics include burden of committee work for minority party.
        • Parent Collections: Letters Home From Congress
        Miniature of Letter to Mary Collamer, December 14, 1845
        Letter to Mary Collamer, December 14, 1845
        Image nop
          • Creator: Collamer, Jacob, 1791-1865.
          • Description: Topics include Senate floor debate over Court Bill.
          • Parent Collections: Letters Home From Congress
          Miniature of Letter to Mary Collamer, February 10, 1845
          Letter to Mary Collamer, February 10, 1845
          Image nop
            • Creator: Collamer, Jacob, 1791-1865.
            • Description: Topics include letters received about Judiciary Committee action on the Court Bill.
            • Parent Collections: Letters Home From Congress