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 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.
Letter to wife. Topics include John Gregory Smith; receptions of cabinet Secretaries and President Franklin Pierce; Representative Nathaniel Banks (MA).
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).
Letter to sister. Topics include 4th of July festivities including processions by Juvenile Temperance Societies, Sabbath School Societies, and black Sabbath School children numbering near five hundred.
Topics include minority report on the Thirty Hour Bill; Huey Long as a potential candidate for President; dinner hosted by Mildred Austin for the British Ambassador.
Topics include Austin's amendments to an airmail bill; Austin's successful effort to get Senator La Follette to include Puerto Rico in a public health bill.
