Girish Mahajan (Editor)

3rd United States Congress

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Senate President
  
John Adams (P)

House Majority
  
Anti-Administration

Senate Majority
  
Pro-Administration

3rd United States Congress

Senate Pres. pro tem
  
John Langdon (P) Ralph Izard (P) Henry Tazewell (P)

House Speaker
  
Frederick Muhlenberg (A)

Members
  
30 (with 0-3 vacancies) Senators 105 (with 0-4 vacancies) Representatives 1 Non-voting members

The Third 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 at Congress Hall in Philadelphia Pennsylvania from March 4, 1793 to March 4, 1795, during the fifth and sixth years of George Washington's Presidency.

Contents

The apportionment of seats in the House of Representatives was governed by the Apportionment Act of 1792 and based on the 1790 Census. The Senate had a Pro-Administration majority, and the House had an Anti-Administration majority.

Major events

  • April 22, 1793: George Washington signed the Neutrality Proclamation
  • February 11, 1794: Wishing to avoid charges of being a Star Chamber, The Senate holds its first public session, resolving "That the Senate doors be opened".
  • March 14, 1794: Eli Whitney was granted a patent for the cotton gin
  • March 27, 1794: The federal government authorized the construction of the original six frigates of the United States Navy
  • August 7, 1794: Whiskey Rebellion began: Farmers in the Monongahela Valley of Pennsylvania rebelled against the federal tax on liquor and distilled drinks.
  • August 20, 1794: Battle of Fallen Timbers — American troops under General Anthony Wayne forced a confederacy of Shawnee, Mingo, Delaware, Wyandot, Miami, Ottawa, Chippewa and Pottawatomie warriors into a disorganized retreat.

    • Major legislation

  • March 22, 1794: Slave Trade Act of 1794
  • March 27, 1794: Naval Act of 1794, Sess. 1, ch. 12, 1 Stat. 350
  • January 29, 1795: Naturalization Act of 1795, Sess. 2, ch. 20, 1 Stat. 414

    • Constitutional amendments

  • March 4, 1794: The 11th Amendment to the United States Constitution was passed by Congress. 1 Stat. 402
  • February 7, 1795: The 11th Amendment to the United States Constitution was ratified by the states, clarifying judicial power over foreign nationals, and limiting the ability of citizens to sue states in federal courts and under federal law.

    • Treaties

  • November 19, 1794: The United States and the Kingdom of Great Britain signed the Jay Treaty, which attempted to clear up some of the lingering problems left over from the American Revolutionary War

    • Faction summary

    There were no political parties in this Congress. Members are informally grouped into factions of similar interest, based on an analysis of their voting record.

    Details on changes are shown below in the "Changes in membership" section.

    Senate

  • President: John Adams (P)
  • President pro tempore: John Langdon (P), until December 2, 1793
  • Ralph Izard (P), May 31, 1794 – November 9, 1794
  • Henry Tazewell (P), from February 20, 1795

    • House of Representatives

  • Speaker: Frederick Muhlenberg (A)

    • Members

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

    Skip to House of Representatives, below

    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.

    House of Representatives

    The names of members of the House of Representatives are preceded by their district numbers.

    Changes in membership

    The count below reflects changes from the beginning of the first session of this Congress

    Senate

    There were 1 death, 3 resignations, 1 late election, and 1 contested election.

    House of Representatives

    There were 2 deaths, 3 resignations, and 1 contested election.

    Committees

    Lists of committees and their party leaders.

    Senate

  • Whole

    • House of Representatives

  • Claims
  • Elections
  • Rules (Select)
  • Ways and Means
  • Whole

    • Joint committees

  • Enrolled Bills

    • Employees

  • Architect of the Capitol: William Thornton

    • Senate

  • Chaplain: William White (Episcopalian)
  • Doorkeeper: James Mathers
  • Secretary: Samuel Allyne Otis

    • House of Representatives

  • Chaplain: Ashbel Green (Presbyterian)
  • Clerk: John J. Beckley
  • Doorkeeper: Gifford Dalley
  • Sergeant at Arms: Joseph Wheaton

    • References

    3rd United States Congress Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA