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 - 9 of 9)
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- Letter to Mrs. C.G. (Ann) Austin, February 27, 1939
- Description
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Topics include National Defense Bill.
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- Letter to Mrs. C.G. (Ann) Austin, February 28, 1939
- Description
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Topics include debate on National Defense Bill; President Roosevelt; economic sanctions.
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- Letter to Mrs. C.G. (Ann) Austin, March 1, 1939
- Description
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Topics include Austin's participation in the debate on the National Defense Bill.
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- Letter to Mrs. C.G. (Ann) Austin, March 10, 1939
- Description
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Topics include Conference Committee on the Common Defense Bill.
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- Letter to Mrs. C.G. (Ann) Austin, March 23, 1939
- Description
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Topics include Appropriations Committee and War Department funds; Conference Report on the National Defense Bill.
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- Letter to Mrs. C.G. (Ann) Austin, March 6, 1939
- Description
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Topics include debate on foreign affairs and common defense; bill to reimburse Vermont for 1812 War.
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- Letter to Mrs. C.G. (Ann) Austin, March 7, 1939
- Description
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Topics include Senator Barkley (KY) speech on amendments to the Common Defense Bill; death of General Sargent.
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- Letter to Mrs. C.G. (Ann) Austin, March 8, 1939
- Description
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Topics include passing of the Common Defense Bill; Senator Tydings (MD) speech on housing; visit of Arthur Packard, President of the Vermont Farm Bureau, and discussion of Packard's ideas on managed currency.
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- Letter to Mrs. C.G. (Ann) Austin, March 9, 1939
- Description
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Topics include Conference Committee on the Common Defense Bill.