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 - 3 of 3)
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- Letter to Mary Collamer, February 10, 1845
- Description
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Letter to daughter. Topics include Whig and Democrat members of Congress; President James Polk; annexation of Texas.
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- Letter to Mary Collamer, February 2, 1845
- Description
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Letter to daughter. Topics include speech by Collamer on Texas; case of Collamer's before the Supreme Court; health of Representative Willis Green (KY); annexation of Texas; tariff.
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- Letter to Mary N. Collamer, January 26, 1845
- Description
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Letter to wife. Topics include annexation of Texas debate and vote; speeches by Collamer and Representative George Perkins Marsh (VT) on Texas.