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 1 - 10 of 104 Records

Letter to Eunice Todd Crafts, February 12, 1821
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    • Creator: Crafts, Samuel Chandler, 1768-1853.
    • Description: Topics include Austin radio broadcast on the air mail issue.
    • Parent Collections: Letters Home From Congress


    Letter to Eunice Todd Crafts, February 6, 1819
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      • Creator: Crafts, Samuel Chandler, 1768-1853.
      • Description: Text of Speech
      • Parent Collections: Letters Home From Congress


      Letter to Eunice Todd Crafts, February 19, 1821
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        • Creator: Crafts, Samuel Chandler, 1768-1853.
        • Description: Topics include debate on the air mail issue; Democratic Whip Senator Lewis' entering of Austin's address before the Vermont Bar Association into the Congressional Record.
        • Parent Collections: Letters Home From Congress


        Letter to Eunice Crafts, December 1, 1823
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          • Creator: Crafts, Samuel Chandler, 1768-1853.
          • Description: Topics include minority report on the Thirty Hour Bill; Huey Long as a potential candidate for President; dinner hosted by Mildred Austin for the British Ambassador.
          • Parent Collections: Letters Home From Congress


          Letter to Dr. Eli Todd, January 28, 1821
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            • Creator: Crafts, Samuel Chandler, 1768-1853.
            • Description: Topics include Austin radio broadcast on the air mail issue.
            • Parent Collections: Letters Home From Congress


            Letter to Mary Collamer, February 4, 1844
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              • Creator: Collamer, Jacob, 1791-1865.
              • Description: Topics include sit-down strikes; Court Bill hearings in the Judiciary Committee.
              • Parent Collections: Letters Home From Congress


              Letter to Mary N. Collamer, February 17, 1844
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                • Creator: Collamer, Jacob, 1791-1865.
                • Description: Topics include Court Bill, President Roosevelt, and potential votes against the bill in the Senate.
                • Parent Collections: Letters Home From Congress


                Letter to Mary N. Collamer, January 26, 1845
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                  • Creator: Collamer, Jacob, 1791-1865.
                  • Description: Topics include Relief Appropriation Bill; centralization of power in the Federal government.
                  • Parent Collections: Letters Home From Congress


                  Letter to William Collamer, January 19, 1859
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                    • Creator: Collamer, Jacob, 1791-1865.
                    • Description: Topics include sub-committee hearings on nomination of Robert Jackson for the post of Solicitor General.
                    • Parent Collections: Letters Home From Congress


                    Letter to Mary N. Collamer, January 30, 1849
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                      • Creator: Collamer, Jacob, 1791-1865.
                      • Description: Topics include visit to Washington of Governor Aiken; farm bill.
                      • Parent Collections: Letters Home From Congress