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 Show less
Topics include Spanish war; Florida and slavery; Representative Henry Clay's (KY) aspirations to become President after President James Monroe; Secretary of State John Quincy Adams; Representative Joel Crawford (GA).
Topics include soldiers pensions; Federal deficit; duel between Commodore Stephen Decatur and Commodore James Barron resulting in the death of Decatur.
Letter to brother-in-law. Topics include health of members of Congress; health of son Samuel P. Crafts; Representative Henry Clay to introduce a Senate resolution on the admission of Missouri to the United States; Florida treaty and Spain.
Letter to wife. Topics include traveling from New York to Washington, DC; lodgings in Washington, DC; start of Congress with organizational matters and election of a Speaker of the House.
Letter to wife. Topics include the decision of House of Representatives to make John Quincy Adams the next President of the United States and General Andrew Jackson's response.
Letter to wife. Topics include health of Eunice and Samuel P. Crafts; social life and parties in Washington, DC; Byron and Southey's Visions of Judgment.
Letter to wife. Topics include visit of General Lafayette to Congress and the United States; Crafts' opinion that the House will select John Quincy Adams as President.
Letter to wife. Topics include party for the anniversary of the Battle of New Orleans at General Brown's; Crafts' introduction to General Lafayette and presentation of a resolution inviting him to visit Vermont.
Letter to wife. Topics include question of Missouri's acceptance into the United States by Congress and split between Northern and Southern members; federal deficit and consideration of reduction of pay for government employees; social life; invitation to dine at President James Monroe's.
