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 - 8 of 8)
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- Letter to Eunice Todd Crafts, April 15, 1820
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Letter to wife. Topics include proposed raising of import duties on Canada.
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- Letter to Mary Collamer, February 2, 1845
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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 Mrs. C.G. (Ann) Austin, April 4, 1940
- Description
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Topics include defeat of Senator O'Mahoney (WY) amendment on customs duties and import restrictions; Trade Treaty Bill.
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- Letter to Mrs. C.G. (Ann) Austin, March 29, 1940
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Topics include Secretary Hull and customs duties and import restrictions; Trade Treaty Bill.
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- Letter to Mrs. C.G. (Ann) Austin, May 17, 1934
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Topics include Tariff; delegation of powers to the President.
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- Letter to Nathan and Mary Hill, August 21, 1842
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Letter to daughter and son-in-law. Topics include treaty between Great Britain and the United States finally approved by the Senate after four long days of discussion, surmounting strong opposition by a vote of 39 to 9; continued deadlock on Tariff Bill; Treasury statement to the House stating...
Show moreLetter to daughter and son-in-law. Topics include treaty between Great Britain and the United States finally approved by the Senate after four long days of discussion, surmounting strong opposition by a vote of 39 to 9; continued deadlock on Tariff Bill; Treasury statement to the House stating that all funds on hand had been expended and asking for authority for more Treasury Notes; impact of governmental inaction on the Tariff Bill on factories and the importation of foreign goods.
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- Letter to Nathan and Mary Hill, June 11, 1842
- Description
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Letter to daughter and son-in-law. Topics include Tariff being considered in the House of Representatives; duties on imports; duty on foreign wool and response of wool manufacturers; distribution of the proceeds of the public lands; Apportionment Bill for Representatives to Congress debated in...
Show moreLetter to daughter and son-in-law. Topics include Tariff being considered in the House of Representatives; duties on imports; duty on foreign wool and response of wool manufacturers; distribution of the proceeds of the public lands; Apportionment Bill for Representatives to Congress debated in the Senate; fashions in Washington, DC; flowers and vegetables seen in DC.
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- Letter to William Collamer, January 19, 1859
- Description
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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.