3rd United States Congress

Updated on Nov 20, 2024

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Senate President John Adams (P) House Majority Anti-Administration		Senate Majority Pro-Administration

Senate Pres. pro tem John Langdon (P)Ralph Izard (P)Henry Tazewell (P) House Speaker Frederick Muhlenberg (A) Members 30 (with 0-3 vacancies) Senators105 (with 0-4 vacancies) Representatives1 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.

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.