12th United States Congress

Updated on Nov 19, 2024

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House Speaker: Henry Clay (DR) House Majority: Democratic-Republican		Senate Majority: Democratic-Republican

Senate President George Clinton (DR)until April 20, 1812Vacantfrom April 20, 1812 Senate Pres. pro tem: William H. Crawford (DR) Members: 36 Senators143 Representatives4 Non-voting members

The Twelfth United States Congress was a meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, consisting of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives. It met in Washington, D.C. from March 4, 1811, to March 4, 1813, during the third and fourth years of James Madison's presidency. The apportionment of seats in the House of Representatives was based on the Second Census of the United States in 1800. Both chambers had a Democratic-Republican majority.

Major events

November 6, 1811: Battle of Tippecanoe: William Henry Harrison defeated Tecumseh's forces

December 16, 1811: New Madrid earthquake

April 4, 1812: President Madison enacted a 90-day embargo on trade with the United Kingdom

April 20, 1812: Vice President George Clinton died

June 18, 1812: War of 1812: United States declared war on Great Britain

August 16, 1812: War of 1812: Detroit surrendered to the British.

October 13, 1812: War of 1812: the Battle of Queenston Heights

November 5, 1812: Elections of 1812:

United States presidential election, 1812: Incumbent James Madison beat DeWitt Clinton.

United States Senate elections, 1812

United States House of Representatives elections, 1812

States admitted and territories organized

April 30, 1812: Louisiana was admitted as a state into the Union. It was formerly known as the Territory of Orleans

June 4, 1812: Missouri Territory was organized. It was formed from the remainder of the Territory of Orleans

Party summary

The count below identifies party affiliations at the beginning of the first session of this congress. Changes resulting from subsequent replacements are shown below in the "Changes in membership" section.

Senate

During this congress, two new Senate seats were added for the new state of Louisiana.

House of Representatives

During this congress, one new House seat was added for the new state of Louisiana.

Senate

President: George Clinton (DR), until April 20, 1812; vacant thereafter.

President pro tempore: William H. Crawford (DR)

House of Representatives

Speaker: Henry Clay (DR)

Members

This list is arranged by chamber, then by state. Senators are listed in order of seniority, and Representatives are listed by district.

Senate

Senators were elected by the state legislatures every two years, with one-third beginning new six-year terms with each Congress. Preceding the names in the list below are Senate class numbers, which indicate the cycle of their election.. In this Congress, Class 1 meant their term began in the last Congress, requiring reelection in 1814; Class 2 meant their term began with this Congress, requiring reelection in 1816; and Class 3 meant their term ended with this Congress, requiring reelection in 1812