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 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.
Letter to daughter. Topics include abolitionism; Representative Joshua Giddings (OH); Representative John Quincy Adams (MA); Democrats and Whigs; speech making in Congress.
Letter to wife. Topics include activities of a Congressman; constituent business at the General Post Office, the Treasury, the War or Navy Department, and the Patent Office; Congressional prayer meeting; social life.
Letter to wife. Topics include opposition of Senator Stephen Douglas (IL) to the position of President James Buchanan on Kansas; new hall for House of Representatives.
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).
