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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- Letter to Col. Joseph Scott, March 23, 1820
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Topics include soldiers pensions; Federal deficit; duel between Commodore Stephen Decatur and Commodore James Barron resulting in the death of Decatur.
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- Letter to Eunice Todd Crafts, February 6, 1819
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Letter to wife. Topics include duel between General Mason and Captain McCarty of Virginia over a political quarrel resulting in the death of General Mason; debate over censure of General Andrew Jackson over his engagement of the war in Florida.
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- Letter to Eunice Todd Crafts, March 26, 1820
- Description
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Letter to wife. Topics include mail robbery north of Baltimore; duel between Commodore Stephen Decatur and Commodore James Barron resulting in the death of Decatur; Decatur's funeral.
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- Letter to Mary N. Collamer, February 17, 1844
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Letter to wife. Topics include party hosted by Postmaster General Charles Wickliffe; George Perkins Marsh; Democrats and Whigs; dueling.
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- Letter to Samuel P. Crafts, March 25, 1820
- Description
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Letter to son. Topics include mail robbery north of Baltimore; duel between Commodore Stephen Decatur and Commodore James Barron resulting in the death of Decatur; Decatur's funeral.