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 - 6 of 6)
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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 Hill, July 10, 1842
- Description
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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 Mrs. C.G. (Ann) Austin, April 27, 1933
- Description
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Topics include boundary case; farm relief bill; Roosevelt administration; Congressional powers; Presidential powers.
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- Letter to Mrs. C.G. (Ann) Austin, March 17, 1939
- Description
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Topics include Bill for Reorganization of Agencies of the Government; Presidential power; office of the Comptroller General; Congressional power; Austin's presiding over a session of the Miltary Affairs Committee.
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- Letter to Mrs. C.G. (Ann) Austin, March 22, 1939
- Description
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Topics include Senator Wheeler (MT) amendment to the Reorganization Bill; Congressional power.