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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(1 - 10 of 10)
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- Letter to Benjamin Clark, February 21, 1818
- Description
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Topics include activities of a Congressman; constituent business; imports and export imbalance and its effect on currency and the national debt.
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- Letter to Eunice Todd Crafts, January 1, 1819
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Letter to wife. Topics include activities of a Congressman; constituent business; death of Representative George Mumford (NC); society events hosted by the President, and the British and French ministers.
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- Letter to Mary Collamer, January 14 1844
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Letter to wife. Topics include activities of a Congressman; constituent business at the General Post Office, the Treasury, the War or Navy Department, and the Patent Office; Congressional prayer meeting; social life.
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- Letter to Mary Collamer, January 8, 1846
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Letter to daughter. Topics include speeches about Oregon; Representative Solomon Foot (VT); constituent business, particularly in regard to pensions.
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- Letter to Mary Hill, July 10, 1842
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Letter to daughter. Topics include attendance at Church meeting; heavy work load in the Senate, including committee work and constituent business.
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- Letter to Mary N. Collamer, December 12, 1858
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Letter to wife. Topics include constituent business; invitation to dinner from President James Buchanan; new Senate chambers; Pension Office.
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- Letter to Mary N. Collamer, May 15, 1858
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Letter to wife. Topics include constituent business.
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- Letter to Mrs. C.G. (Ann) Austin, March 3, 1939
- Description
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Topics include citizen and colleague response to Austin's participation in the debate on foreign affairs.
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- Letter to Mrs. C.G. (Ann) Austin, September 30, 1939
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Topics include response to constituents regarding foreign policy.
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- Letter to William Collamer, January 11, 1849
- Description
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Letter to son. Topics include constituent business regarding William Billings and the East Barnard, Vermont post office.