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
Letter to wife. Topics include health of son Samuel P. Crafts; health of members of Congress; two members of the House and one Senator have died from causes possibly related to an influenza outbreak that fall.
Letter to wife. Topics include health of son Samuel P. Crafts; health of members of Congress; votes on admitting Missouri to the United States with slaves failed by three and six votes on successive days.
Letter to wife. Topics include duel between General Mason and Captain McCarty of Virginia over a political quarrel resulting in the death of General Mason; debate over censure of General Andrew Jackson over his engagement of the war in Florida.
Letter to wife. Topics include activities of a Congressman; constituent business; death of Representative George Mumford (NC); society events hosted by the President, and the British and French ministers.
Letter to wife. Topics include health of son Samuel P. Crafts; health of residents of Crafts' boarding house in Washington, DC; health of members of Congress, with four dead.
Letter to wife. Topics include Missouri and slavery; Federal deficit and Government spending; Representative Henry W. Edwards (CT) and the Connecticut delegation; Representative Timothy Pitkin (CT); Representative Samuel B. Sherwood (CT)
Letter to wife. Topics include mail robbery north of Baltimore; duel between Commodore Stephen Decatur and Commodore James Barron resulting in the death of Decatur; Decatur's funeral.
Letter to wife. Topics include travel; boarding houses; Senator William Palmer (VT), Representative Charles Rich (VT), Judge Livermore (NH), Mr. Phelps & Mr. Stevens of Connecticut; election of Speaker of the House; constitution of Missouri & slavery.
Letter to wife. Topics include social life; parties hosted by Secretary of War John Calhoun and Secretary of State John Quincy Adams; President James Monroe.
Letter to daughter. Topics include social life of wives of congressmen; steam ship Princeton accident; Representative John Quincy Adams (MA); Representative Solomon Foot (VT); social life
Letter to daughter. Topics include visit to the White House with Representative Solomon Foot (VT); Sarah Polk, wife of the President; Congressional prayer meetings.
Letter to daughter. Topics include city crowded with people seeking military appointments; Senator John Calhoun (SC) and the Calhoun branch of the Democratic party; President James Polk.
