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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(21 - 40 of 40)
Pages
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- Letter to Mary N. Collamer, February 13, 1859
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Letter to wife. Topics include acquisition of Cuba; Secretary of the Interior Jacob Thompson.
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- Letter to Mary N. Collamer, February 14, 1849
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Letter to wife. Topics include inauguration of President Zachary Taylor; traveling to Vermont by rail.
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- Letter to Mary N. Collamer, February 17, 1844
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Letter to wife. Topics include party hosted by Postmaster General Charles Wickliffe; George Perkins Marsh; Democrats and Whigs; dueling.
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- Letter to Mary N. Collamer, February 24, 1856
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Letter to wife. Topics include invitation to dinner with President Franklin Pierce; Kansas and the Senate Committee on Territories; Representative James Meacham (VT) and alcohol; Representative Justin Morrill (VT).
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- Letter to Mary N. Collamer, February 28, 1844
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Letter to wife. Topics include war steam ship Princeton explosion, killing Secretary of State Abel Upshur, Secretary of the Navy Thomas Gilmer, Chief of the Bureau of Construction, Equipment and Repairs Captain Beverly Kennon and others.
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- Letter to Mary N. Collamer, February 3, 1856
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Letter to wife. Topics include John Gregory Smith; receptions of cabinet Secretaries and President Franklin Pierce; Representative Nathaniel Banks (MA).
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- Letter to Mary N. Collamer, February 7, 1848
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Letter to wife. Topics include speech in House by Collamer; Hiram Powers statue of the Greek Slave.
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- Letter to Mary N. Collamer, January 19, 1846
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Letter to wife. Topics include Representative Solomon Foot (VT); death of Representative William Taylor (VA); President James Polk; Representative Cornelius Darragh (PA); Representative George Perkins Marsh (VT); Representative John Chipman (MI).
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- Letter to Mary N. Collamer, January 26, 1845
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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.
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- Letter to Mary N. Collamer, January 30, 1849
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Letter to wife. Topics include inauguration of President Zachary Taylor; possible Cabinet appointments.
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- Letter to Mary N. Collamer, July 8, 1848
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Letter to wife. Topics include question of slavery being admitted into newly acquired territories; presidential speeches in the House.
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- Letter to Mary N. Collamer, June 26, 1856
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Letter to wife. Topics include Kansas.
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- Letter to Mary N. Collamer, March 2, 1862
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Letter to wife. Topics include Civil War; slaves and slavery; health of Vermont troops.
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- Letter to Mary N. Collamer, March 5, 1849
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Letter to wife. Topics include inauguration of President Zachary Taylor; appointment of Collamer as Postmaster General.
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- Letter to Mary N. Collamer, May 15, 1858
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Letter to wife. Topics include constituent business.
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- Letter to Mary N. Collamer, May 9, 1858
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Letter to wife. Topics include death of Senator Josiah Evans (SC); Representative Justin Morrill; Kansas.
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- Letter to Mary N. Collamer, November 27, 1845
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Letter to wife. Topics include securing a seat in the House chamber; traveling to Washington.
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- Letter to William Collamer, January 11, 1849
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Letter to son. Topics include constituent business regarding William Billings and the East Barnard, Vermont post office.
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- Letter to William Collamer, January 19, 1859
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Letter to son. Topics include Tariff; Pacific Rail Road; African Slave Trade; Amistad; Vermont State House; mailing of government documents by Collamer; Joint Resolution introduced by Senator Solomon Foot (VT) on bounty land law; Bankruptcy Bill.
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- Letter to William Collamer, January 24, 1848
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Letter to son. Topics include General Zachary Taylor.