Letters Home From Congress
Collection Overview
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...
Show moreThis 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 are particularly strong in their coverage of his frustration at being a Senator in the minority party during the era of Roosevelt and the New Deal; his activities on the Judiciary Committee; and foreign affairs questions 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: http://bioguide.congress.gov/biosearch/biosearch.asp
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Related Archival Collections
(1 - 10 of 10)
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- Letter to Mrs. C.G. (Ann) Austin, August 13, 1940
- Description
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Topics include speech by Senator Burke (NE) on the Burke-Wadsworth Conscription Bill; amendment by Senator Lee (OK) on Conscription Bill; acceptance by Wilkie of Republican nomination for President.
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- Letter to Mrs. C.G. (Ann) Austin, August 14, 1940
- Description
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Topics include speeches by Senator Taft (OH), Vandenberg (MI), Norris (NE), and Wheeler (MT) against the Conscription Bill; Senator Lee (OK) amendment to the Conscription Bill.
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- Letter to Mrs. C.G. (Ann) Austin, August 20, 1940
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Topics include debate over Conscription Bill.
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- Letter to Mrs. C.G. (Ann) Austin, August 21, 1940
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Topics include debate over Conscription Bill.
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- Letter to Mrs. C.G. (Ann) Austin, August 26, 1940
- Description
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Topics include Austin's duties as Assistant Minority Leader in the Senate; debate over Conscription Bill.
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- Letter to Mrs. C.G. (Ann) Austin, August 27, 1940
- Description
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Topics include speech by Senator Johnson (CO) on Conscription Bill; commendations from President Roosevelt and Wendell Wilkie to Austin for service for National Defense.
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- Letter to Mrs. C.G. (Ann) Austin, August 5, 1940
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Topics include Military Affairs Committee, the conscription bill, and the National Guard bill.
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- Letter to Mrs. C.G. (Ann) Austin, July 30, 1940
- Description
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Topics include bill to authorize the President to call the National Guard for Federal Service for a year; bill for compulsory military training and service; bill for railroad unemployment insurance.
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- Letter to Mrs. C.G. (Ann) Austin, July 9, 1940
- Description
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Topics include National Defense; campaign; nominations of Stimson and Knox; Military Affairs Committee and the Selective Service Bill; Wendell Wilkie.
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- Letter to Mrs. C.G. (Ann) Austin, July 9, 1940
- Description
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Topics include National Defense; campaign; nominations of Stimson and Knox; Military Affairs Committee and the Selective Service Bill; Wendell Wilkie.