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 - 11 of 11)
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- Letter to Mrs. C.G. (Ann) Austin, April 29, 1940
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Topics include National Defense; luncheon hosted by Senator McNary (OR) to meet Republican National Convention keynote speaker Governor Stassen (MN); Austin's and other Republicans views on foreign policy.
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- Letter to Mrs. C.G. (Ann) Austin, August 27, 1940
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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, February 2, 1939
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Topics include sub-committee meeting on the common defense and raw materials for the armed forces and the civilian populations.
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- Letter to Mrs. C.G. (Ann) Austin, February 24, 1939
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Topics include Military Affairs Committee vote on the Stock Pile Bill; letters received by Austin in support of his stand on foreign policy and defense.
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- Letter to Mrs. C.G. (Ann) Austin, July 9, 1940
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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
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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, June 11, 1940
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Topics include legislation to speed up production of munitions; National Defense; Italy and Germany.
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- Letter to Mrs. C.G. (Ann) Austin, June 6, 1940
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Topics include defeat of Austin's amendment to accelerate industrial production for national defense.
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- Letter to Mrs. C.G. (Ann) Austin, May 21, 1940
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Topics include appropriation for military preparedness; Germans at Channel Ports.
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- Letter to Mrs. C.G. (Ann) Austin, May 29, 1940
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Topics include radio address by Austin, "Munitions, Men and Morale"; dedication of Howard Chandler Christy's mural of the signing of the Constitution in the Capitol.
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- Letter to Mrs. C.G. (Ann) Austin, May 29, 1940
- Description
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Topics include radio address by Austin, "Munitions, Men and Morale"; dedication of Howard Chandler Christy's mural of the signing of the Constitution in the Capitol.