3rd United States Congress

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 3 1795, during the fifth and sixth years of George Washington's Presidency.

The apportionment of seats in this House of Representatives was based on the First Census of the United States in 1790. The Senate had a Pro-Administration majority, and the House had an Anti-Administration majority.

Dates of sessions

March 4 1793 - March 3 1795
*Special session of the Senate: March 4 1793
*First session: December 2 1793 - June 9 1794
*Second session: November 3 1794 - March 3 1795 — a lame duck sessionPrevious: 2nd Congress • Next: 4th Congress

Major events

* April 22 1793 — George Washington signed the Neutrality Proclamation
* March 14 1794 — Eli Whitney was granted a patent for the cotton gin
* March 27 1794 — The United States Government authorized the building of the first six United States Navy vessels.
* 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 forced a confederacy of Shawnee Mingo Delaware Wyandot Miami Ottawa Chippewa and Pottawatomie warriors into a disorganized retreat.
* November 19 1794 — The United States and the Kingdom of Great Britain signed Jay's Treaty, which attempted to clear up some of the lingering problems left over from the American Revolutionary War

Major legislation

* March 27, 1794 — Naval Act of 1794, Sess. 1, ch. 12, USStat|1|350
* January 29, 1795 — Naturalization Act of 1795, Sess. 2, ch. 20, USStat|1|414

Constitutional amendments passed or ratified

* March 4 1794 — The 11th Amendment to the United States Constitution was passed by the U.S. Congress. USStat|1|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.

Party 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. [cite book|title = The Historical Atlas of Political Parties in the United States Congress|last = Martis|first = Kenneth C.]

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

enate

House of Representatives

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

Employees

* Architect of the Capitol: William Thornton

Senate

* Secretary: Samuel A. Otis of Massachusetts, elected April 8 1789
* Doorkeeper: James Mathers of New York, elected April 7 1789
* Chaplain: William White, "Episcopalian", elected December 9 1790

House of Representatives

* Clerk: John Beckley of Virginia, elected December 2 1793
* Sergeant at Arms: Joseph Wheaton of Rhode Island, elected December 2 1793
* Doorkeeper: Gifford Dalley, elected December 2 1793
* Chaplain: Ashbel Green, "Presbyterian", elected December 2 1793

Notes

References

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External links

* [http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/amlaw/lwsllink.html Statutes at Large, 1789-1875]
* [http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/amla/lwsjlink.html Senate Journal, First Forty-three Sessions of Congress]
* [http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/amlaw/lwhjlink.html#anchor2 House Journal, First Forty-three Sessions of Congress]
* [http://www.gpoaccess.gov/serialset/cdocuments/hd108-222/index.html Biographical Directory of the U.S. Congress]
* [http://clerk.house.gov/art_history/house_history/index.html U.S. House of Representatives: House History]
* [http://www.senate.gov/pagelayout/reference/two_column_table/stats_and_lists.htm U.S. Senate: Statistics and Lists]