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 - 7 of 7)
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- Letter to Mrs. C.G. (Ann) Austin, April 10, 1940
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Topics include Germany, Russia, Europe, and Asia; occupation of Denmark and Norway by the Germans; Senator Burke's (NE) primary defeat.
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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, April 5, 1940
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Topics include situation in Europe and neutrality.
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- Letter to Mrs. C.G. (Ann) Austin, July 3, 1940
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Topics include radio address by Austin from the World's Fair, "Revitalizing the Declaration of Independence in 1940"; foreign policy.
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- Letter to Mrs. C.G. (Ann) Austin, March 3, 1939
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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, March 6, 1939
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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 8, 1939
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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.