1st United States Congress
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The 1st United States Congress, comprising the
United States Senate The United States Senate is the upper chamber of the United States Congress, with the House of Representatives being the lower chamber. Together they compose the national bicameral legislature of the United States. The composition and po ...
and the
United States House of Representatives The United States House of Representatives, often referred to as the House of Representatives, the U.S. House, or simply the House, is the lower chamber of the United States Congress, with the Senate being the upper chamber. Together they ...
, met from March 4, 1789, to March 4, 1791, during the first two years of
George Washington George Washington (February 22, 1732, 1799) was an American military officer, statesman, and Founding Father who served as the first president of the United States from 1789 to 1797. Appointed by the Continental Congress as commander of ...
's
presidency A presidency is an administration or the executive, the collective administrative and governmental entity that exists around an office of president of a state or nation. Although often the executive branch of government, and often personified by ...
, first at Federal Hall in New York City and later at Congress Hall in
Philadelphia Philadelphia, often called Philly, is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the sixth-largest city in the U.S., the second-largest city in both the Northeast megalopolis and Mid-Atlantic regions after New York City. Since ...
. With the initial meeting of the First Congress, the
United States federal government The federal government of the United States (U.S. federal government or U.S. government) is the national government of the United States, a federal republic located primarily in North America, composed of 50 states, a city within a fed ...
officially began operations under the new (and current) frame of government established by the 1787
Constitution A constitution is the aggregate of fundamental principles or established precedents that constitute the legal basis of a polity, organisation or other type of entity and commonly determine how that entity is to be governed. When these pr ...
. The apportionment of seats in the House of Representatives was based on the provisions of Article I, Section 2, Clause 3 of the Constitution. Both chambers had a Pro-Administration majority. Twelve articles of amendment to the Constitution were passed by this Congress and sent to the states for
ratification Ratification is a principal's approval of an act of its agent that lacked the authority to bind the principal legally. Ratification defines the international act in which a state indicates its consent to be bound to a treaty if the parties inten ...
; the ten ratified as additions to the Constitution on December 15, 1791, are collectively known as the Bill of Rights, with an additional amendment ratified more than two centuries later to become the
Twenty-seventh Amendment to the United States Constitution The Twenty-seventh Amendment (Amendment XXVII, also known as the Congressional Compensation Act of 1789) to the United States Constitution prohibits any law that increases or decreases the salary of members of Congress from taking effect until a ...
.


Major events

* April 1, 1789: House of Representatives first achieved a quorum and elected its officers. * April 6, 1789: Senate first achieved a quorum and elected its officers. * April 6, 1789: The House and Senate, meeting in joint session, counted the Electoral College ballots, then certified that George Washington was unanimously elected
President of the United States The president of the United States (POTUS) is the head of state and head of government of the United States of America. The president directs the Federal government of the United States#Executive branch, executive branch of the Federal gove ...
and
John Adams John Adams (October 30, 1735 – July 4, 1826) was an American statesman, attorney, diplomat, writer, and Founding Fathers of the United States, Founding Father who served as the second president of the United States from 1797 to 1801. Befor ...
(having received 34 of 69 votes) was elected as Vice President. * April 21, 1789:
John Adams John Adams (October 30, 1735 – July 4, 1826) was an American statesman, attorney, diplomat, writer, and Founding Fathers of the United States, Founding Father who served as the second president of the United States from 1797 to 1801. Befor ...
was inaugurated as the nation's first vice president. * April 30, 1789:
George Washington George Washington (February 22, 1732, 1799) was an American military officer, statesman, and Founding Father who served as the first president of the United States from 1789 to 1797. Appointed by the Continental Congress as commander of ...
was inaugurated as the nation's first president at Federal Hall in New York City. * January 8, 1790: President Washington gave the first State of the Union Address * June 20, 1790: Compromise of 1790:
James Madison James Madison Jr. (March 16, 1751June 28, 1836) was an American statesman, diplomat, and Founding Father. He served as the fourth president of the United States from 1809 to 1817. Madison is hailed as the "Father of the Constitution" for h ...
agreed to not be "strenuous" in opposition to the assumption of state debts by the federal government; Alexander Hamilton agreed to support a national capital site in the South.


Major legislation


Session 1

Held March 4, 1789, through September 29, 1789, at Federal Hall in New York City * June 1, 1789: An act to regulate the time and manner of administering certain oaths, ch. 1, * July 4, 1789: Tariff of 1789, ch. 2, * July 27, 1789:
United States Department of State The United States Department of State (DOS), or State Department, is an executive department of the U.S. federal government responsible for the country's foreign policy and relations. Equivalent to the ministry of foreign affairs of other na ...
was established, originally named the Department of Foreign Affairs, ch. 4, . * July 31, 1789: Regulation of the Collection of Duties on Tonnage and Merchandise, ch.5, , which established the United States Customs Service and its ports of entry. * August 7, 1789:
Department of War War Department may refer to: * War Department (United Kingdom) * United States Department of War (1789–1947) See also * War Office, a former department of the British Government * Ministry of defence * Ministry of War * Ministry of Defence {{u ...
was established, ch. 7, . * September 2, 1789:
United States Department of the Treasury The Department of the Treasury (USDT) is the national treasury and finance department of the federal government of the United States, where it serves as an executive department. The department oversees the Bureau of Engraving and Printing and ...
was established, ch. 12, * September 24, 1789: Judiciary Act of 1789, ch. 20, , which established the
federal judiciary The judiciary (also known as the judicial system, judicature, judicial branch, judiciative branch, and court or judiciary system) is the system of courts that adjudicates legal disputes/disagreements and interprets, defends, and applies the law ...
and the office of Attorney General


Session 2

Held January 4, 1790, through August 12, 1790, at Federal Hall in New York City * March 1, 1790: Made provisions for the first Census, ch. 2, * March 26, 1790: Naturalization Act of 1790, ch. 3, * April 10, 1790: Patent Act of 1790, ch. 7, * April 30, 1790:
Crimes Act of 1790 The Crimes Act of 1790 (or the Federal Criminal Code of 1790), formally titled ''An Act for the Punishment of Certain Crimes Against the United States'', defined some of the first federal crimes in the United States and expanded on the crimin ...
, ch. 9, * May 31, 1790: Copyright Act of 1790, ch. 15, * July 16, 1790:
Residence Act The Residence Act of 1790, officially titled An Act for establishing the temporary and permanent seat of the Government of the United States (), is a United States federal statute adopted during the second session of the First United States Co ...
, ch. 28, , established Washington, D.C. as the seat of government of the United States. * July 22, 1790: Indian Intercourse Act of 1790, ch. 33, , regulated commerce with the
Indian Indian or Indians may refer to: Peoples South Asia * Indian people, people of Indian nationality, or people who have an Indian ancestor ** Non-resident Indian, a citizen of India who has temporarily emigrated to another country * South Asia ...
tribes. * August 4, 1790:
Funding Act of 1790 The Funding Act of 1790, the full title of which is An Act making provision for the ayment of theDebt of the United States, was passed on August 4, 1790, by the United States Congress as part of the Compromise of 1790, to address the issue of f ...
, ch. 34, , authorized the "full assumption" of state debts by the federal government. * August 4, 1790: Collection of Duties Act, ch.35, , among its provisions is Sec. 62, , authorizing establishment of the Revenue-Marine, since 1915 the
United States Coast Guard The United States Coast Guard (USCG) is the maritime security, search and rescue, and law enforcement service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the country's eight uniformed services. The service is a maritime, military, m ...
. * August 10, 1790: Tariff of 1790, ch. 39,


Session 3

Held December 6, 1790, through March 3, 1791, at Congress Hall in Philadelphia * February 18, 1791: Admission of
Vermont Vermont () is a U.S. state, state in the northeast New England region of the United States. Vermont is bordered by the states of Massachusetts to the south, New Hampshire to the east, and New York (state), New York to the west, and the Provin ...
postdated to March 4, ch. 10, * February 25, 1791: First Bank of the United States, ch. 10, * March 3, 1791: Tariff of 1791, ch. 15, , which triggered the Whiskey Rebellion


Constitutional amendments

* September 25, 1789: Approved 12 amendments to the
United States Constitution The Constitution of the United States is the supreme law of the United States of America. It superseded the Articles of Confederation, the nation's first constitution, in 1789. Originally comprising seven articles, it delineates the natio ...
establishing specific guarantees of personal freedoms and
rights Rights are legal, social, or ethical principles of freedom or entitlement; that is, rights are the fundamental normative rules about what is allowed of people or owed to people according to some legal system, social convention, or ethical theory ...
, clear limitations on government power, and submitted them to the state legislatures for
ratification Ratification is a principal's approval of an act of its agent that lacked the authority to bind the principal legally. Ratification defines the international act in which a state indicates its consent to be bound to a treaty if the parties inten ...
. : ** Article one has not been ratified and is still pending before the states. ** Article two was much later ratified on May 7, 1992, as the Twenty-seventh Amendment. ** Articles three through twelve, known as the " Bill of Rights," were later ratified on December 15, 1791.


States ratifying Constitution

* November 21, 1789:
North Carolina North Carolina () is a U.S. state, state in the Southeastern United States, Southeastern region of the United States. The state is the List of U.S. states and territories by area, 28th largest and List of states and territories of the United ...
became the 12th state to ratify the U.S. Constitution and thereby joined the Union. * May 29, 1790:
Rhode Island Rhode Island (, like ''road'') is a U.S. state, state in the New England region of the Northeastern United States. It is the List of U.S. states by area, smallest U.S. state by area and the List of states and territories of the United States ...
became the 13th state to ratify the U.S. Constitution and thereby joined the Union.


Territories organized

* May 26, 1790:
Territory South of the River Ohio The Territory South of the River Ohio, more commonly known as the Southwest Territory, was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from May 26, 1790, until June 1, 1796, when it was admitted to the United States a ...
organized from land ceded by North Carolina.


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. Details on changes are shown below in the "
Changes in membership Changes may refer to: Books * ''Changes'', the 12th novel in Jim Butcher's ''The Dresden Files'' Series * ''Changes'', a novel by Danielle Steel * ''Changes'', a trilogy of novels on which the BBC TV series was based, written by Peter Dickinso ...
" section.


Senate

During this congress, two Senate seats were added for North Carolina and Rhode Island when each ratified the Constitution.


House of Representatives

During this congress, five House seats were added for North Carolina and one House seat was added for Rhode Island when they ratified the Constitution.


Leadership


Senate

* President:
John Adams John Adams (October 30, 1735 – July 4, 1826) was an American statesman, attorney, diplomat, writer, and Founding Fathers of the United States, Founding Father who served as the second president of the United States from 1797 to 1801. Befor ...
(P) * President pro tempore:
John Langdon John is a common English name and surname: * John (given name) * John (surname) John may also refer to: New Testament Works * Gospel of John, a title often shortened to John * First Epistle of John, often shortened to 1 John * Second E ...
(P)


House of Representatives

*
Speaker Speaker may refer to: Society and politics * Speaker (politics), the presiding officer in a legislative assembly * Public speaker, one who gives a speech or lecture * A person producing speech: the producer of a given utterance, especially: ** In ...
:
Frederick Muhlenberg Frederick Augustus Conrad Muhlenberg (; January 1, 1750 – June 4, 1801) was an American minister and politician who was the first Speaker of the United States House of Representatives and the first Dean of the United States House of Repres ...
(P)


Members

This list is arranged by chamber, then by state. Senators are listed by class, 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. In this Congress, all senators were newly elected, and Class 1 meant their term ended with this Congress, requiring re-election in 1790; Class 2 meant their term ended with the next Congress, requiring re-election in 1792; and Class 3 meant their term lasted through the next two Congresses, requiring re-election in 1794.


Connecticut Connecticut () is the southernmost state in the New England region of the Northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, New York (state), New York to the west, and Long Island Sound to the ...

: 1. Oliver Ellsworth (P) : 3. William S. Johnson (P)


Delaware Delaware ( ) is a state in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Maryland to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and New Jersey and the Atlantic Ocean to its east. The state takes its name from the adjacent ...

: 1.
George Read George Read may refer to: * George Reade (colonial governor) (1608–1671), politician, judge, and Acting Governor of Virginia Colony * George Read (American politician, born 1733) (1733–1798), lawyer, signer of Declaration of Independence and U ...
(P) : 2.
Richard Bassett Richard is a male given name. It originates, via Old French, from Old Frankish and is a compound of the words descending from Proto-Germanic ''*rīk-'' 'ruler, leader, king' and ''*hardu-'' 'strong, brave, hardy', and it therefore means 'stron ...
(A)


Georgia

: 2. William Few (A) : 3. James Gunn (A)


Maryland Maryland ( ) is a state in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. It shares borders with Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware and the Atlantic Ocean t ...

: 1. Charles Carroll (P) : 3. John Henry (P)


Massachusetts Massachusetts (Massachusett: ''Muhsachuweesut Massachusett_writing_systems.html" ;"title="nowiki/> məhswatʃəwiːsət.html" ;"title="Massachusett writing systems">məhswatʃəwiːsət">Massachusett writing systems">məhswatʃəwiːsət'' En ...

: 1. Tristram Dalton (P) : 2. Caleb Strong (P)


New Hampshire New Hampshire is a U.S. state, state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Massachusetts to the south, Vermont to the west, Maine and the Gulf of Maine to the east, and the Canadian province of Quebec t ...

: 2. Paine Wingate (A) : 3.
John Langdon John is a common English name and surname: * John (given name) * John (surname) John may also refer to: New Testament Works * Gospel of John, a title often shortened to John * First Epistle of John, often shortened to 1 John * Second E ...
(P)


New Jersey New Jersey is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York; on the east, southeast, and south by the Atlantic Ocean; on the west by the Delawa ...

: 1. Jonathan Elmer (P) : 2. William Paterson (P), until November 13, 1790 :: Philemon Dickinson (P), from December 6, 1790


New York

: 1. Philip Schuyler (P), from July 27, 1789 : 3. Rufus King (P), from July 25, 1789


North Carolina North Carolina () is a U.S. state, state in the Southeastern United States, Southeastern region of the United States. The state is the List of U.S. states and territories by area, 28th largest and List of states and territories of the United ...

: 2. Samuel Johnston (P), from November 27, 1789 : 3.
Benjamin Hawkins Benjamin Hawkins (August 15, 1754June 6, 1816) was an American planter, statesman and a U.S. Indian agent He was a delegate to the Continental Congress and a United States Senator from North Carolina, having grown up among the planter eli ...
(P), from November 27, 1789


Pennsylvania Pennsylvania (; ( Pennsylvania Dutch: )), officially the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, is a state spanning the Mid-Atlantic, Northeastern, Appalachian, and Great Lakes regions of the United States. It borders Delaware to its southeast, ...

: 1. William Maclay (A) : 3. Robert Morris (P)


Rhode Island Rhode Island (, like ''road'') is a U.S. state, state in the New England region of the Northeastern United States. It is the List of U.S. states by area, smallest U.S. state by area and the List of states and territories of the United States ...

: 1. Theodore Foster (P), from June 25, 1790 : 2. Joseph Stanton Jr. (A), from June 25, 1790


South Carolina )''Animis opibusque parati'' ( for, , Latin, Prepared in mind and resources, links=no) , anthem = " Carolina";" South Carolina On My Mind" , Former = Province of South Carolina , seat = Columbia , LargestCity = Charleston , LargestMetro = ...

: 2. Pierce Butler (P) : 3.
Ralph Izard Ralph Izard (January 23, 1741/1742May 30, 1804) was a U.S. politician. He served as President pro tempore of the United States Senate in 1794, and owned slaves. Early life Izard was born at "The Elms" near Charleston, South Carolina. He was ...
(P)


Virginia Virginia, officially the Commonwealth of Virginia, is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern regions of the United States, between the Atlantic Coast and the Appalachian Mountains. The geography and climate of the Commonwealth are ...

: 1. William Grayson (A), until March 12, 1790 :: John Walker (P), March 31, 1790 – November 9, 1790 :: James Monroe (A), from November 9, 1790 : 2. Richard Henry Lee (A)


House of Representatives

The names of members of the House of Representatives are listed by their districts.


Connecticut Connecticut () is the southernmost state in the New England region of the Northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, New York (state), New York to the west, and Long Island Sound to the ...

All representatives were elected statewide on a general ticket. : . Benjamin Huntington (P) : .
Roger Sherman Roger Sherman (April 19, 1721 – July 23, 1793) was an American statesman, lawyer, and a Founding Father of the United States. He is the only person to sign four of the great state papers of the United States related to the founding: the Con ...
(P) : . Jonathan Sturges (P) : .
Jonathan Trumbull Jr. Jonathan Trumbull Jr. (March 26, 1740 – August 7, 1809) was an American politician who served as the 20th governor of Connecticut, the second speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and the 24th Lieutenant Governor of Connecticu ...
(P) : .
Jeremiah Wadsworth Jeremiah Wadsworth (July 12, 1743 – April 30, 1804) was an American sea captain, merchant, and statesman from Hartford, Connecticut who profited from his position as a government official charged with supplying the Continental Army. He r ...
(P)


Delaware Delaware ( ) is a state in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Maryland to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and New Jersey and the Atlantic Ocean to its east. The state takes its name from the adjacent ...

: . John Vining (P)


Georgia

: . James Jackson (A) : . Abraham Baldwin (A) : . George Mathews (A)


Maryland Maryland ( ) is a state in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. It shares borders with Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware and the Atlantic Ocean t ...

: . Michael J. Stone (A) : . Joshua Seney (A) : .
Benjamin Contee Benjamin Contee (1755 – November 30, 1815) was an American Episcopal priest and statesman from Maryland. He was an officer in the American Revolutionary War, a delegate to the Confederation Congress, and member of the first United States ...
(A) : . William Smith (A) : .
George Gale George Gale may refer to: Politicians * George Gale (MP) (1490–1556), member of parliament for City of York *George Gale (congressman) (1756–1815), American politician Law * George Alexander Gale (1906–1997), Canadian jurist * George Gale ( ...
(P) : .
Daniel Carroll Daniel Carroll (July 22, 1730May 7, 1796) was an American politician and plantation owner from Maryland and one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. He supported the American Revolution, served in the Confederation Congress, was a del ...
(P)


Massachusetts Massachusetts (Massachusett: ''Muhsachuweesut Massachusett_writing_systems.html" ;"title="nowiki/> məhswatʃəwiːsət.html" ;"title="Massachusett writing systems">məhswatʃəwiːsət">Massachusett writing systems">məhswatʃəwiːsət'' En ...

: . Fisher Ames (P) : . Benjamin Goodhue (P) : . Elbridge Gerry (A) : . Theodore Sedgwick (P) : . George Partridge (P), until August 14, 1790, vacant thereafter : . George Thatcher (P) : .
George Leonard George Burr Leonard (August 9, 1923 – January 6, 2010) was an American writer, editor, and educator who wrote extensively about education and human potential. He served as President Emeritus of the Esalen Institute, past-president of the ...
(P) : . Jonathan Grout (A)


New Hampshire New Hampshire is a U.S. state, state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Massachusetts to the south, Vermont to the west, Maine and the Gulf of Maine to the east, and the Canadian province of Quebec t ...

All representatives were elected statewide on a general ticket. : .
Abiel Foster Abiel Foster (August 8, 1735 – February 6, 1806) was an American clergyman and politician from Canterbury, New Hampshire, Canterbury, Province of New Hampshire. He represented New Hampshire in the Continental Congress and the United States H ...
(P), from June 23, 1789 : .
Nicholas Gilman Nicholas Gilman Jr. (August 3, 1755May 2, 1814) was an American Founding Father, a soldier in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War, a delegate to the Continental Congress, and a signer of the U.S. Constitution, representin ...
(P) : .
Samuel Livermore Samuel Livermore (May 14, 1732May 18, 1803) was a U.S. politician. He was a U.S. Senator from New Hampshire from 1793 to 1801 and served as President pro tempore of the United States Senate in 1796 and again in 1799. Life and career Livermore ...
(A)


New Jersey New Jersey is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York; on the east, southeast, and south by the Atlantic Ocean; on the west by the Delawa ...

All representatives were elected statewide on a general ticket. : . Elias Boudinot (P) : . Lambert Cadwalader (P) : . James Schureman (P) : . Thomas Sinnickson (P)


New York

: . William Floyd (A) : .
John Laurance John Laurance (sometimes spelled "Lawrence" or "Laurence") (1750 – November 11, 1810) was a delegate to the 6th, 7th, and 8th Congresses of the Confederation, a United States representative and United States Senator from New York and a Unite ...
(P) : . Egbert Benson (P) : . John Hathorn (A), from April 23, 1789 : . Peter Silvester (P), from April 22, 1789 : . Jeremiah Van Rensselaer (A), from May 9, 1789


North Carolina North Carolina () is a U.S. state, state in the Southeastern United States, Southeastern region of the United States. The state is the List of U.S. states and territories by area, 28th largest and List of states and territories of the United ...

: .
John Baptista Ashe John Ashe may refer to: * John Ashe (minister) (1671–1735), English dissenting minister * John Ashe (of Freshford) (1597–1658), MP for Westbury * John Ashe (priest) (born 1953), Church of England priest and Archdeacon of Lynn *John Ashe (genera ...
(A), from March 24, 1790 : .
Hugh Williamson Hugh Williamson (December 5, 1735 – May 22, 1819) was an American Founding Father, physician, and politician. He is best known as a signatory to the U.S. Constitution, and for representing North Carolina at the Constitutional Convention. W ...
(A), from March 19, 1790 : .
Timothy Bloodworth Timothy James Bloodworth (1736August 24, 1814) was a slave owner, ardent patriot in the American Revolution, member of the Confederation Congress, vigorous anti-Federalist, U.S. congressman and senator, and collector of customs for the Port of Wi ...
(A), from April 6, 1790 : .
John Steele John Steele may refer to: Politics * John Steele (Nova Scotia politician) (died c. 1762), surgeon and political figure in Nova Scotia * John Steele (North Carolina politician) (1764–1815), U.S. Representative from North Carolina * John Hardy Stee ...
(P), from April 19, 1790 : . John Sevier (P), from June 16, 1790


Pennsylvania Pennsylvania (; ( Pennsylvania Dutch: )), officially the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, is a state spanning the Mid-Atlantic, Northeastern, Appalachian, and Great Lakes regions of the United States. It borders Delaware to its southeast, ...

All representatives were elected statewide on a general ticket. : . George Clymer (P) : . Thomas Fitzsimons (P) : .
Thomas Hartley Thomas Hartley (September 7, 1748December 21, 1800) was an American lawyer, soldier, and politician from York, Pennsylvania. Early life and education Hartley was born in Colebrookdale Township in the Province of Pennsylvania. At 18 years of a ...
(P) : .
Daniel Hiester Daniel Hiester (June 25, 1747 – March 7, 1804) was an American political and military leader from the Revolutionary War period to the early 19th Century. Born in Berks County in the Province of Pennsylvania, he was a member of the Hiester ...
(A) : .
Frederick Muhlenberg Frederick Augustus Conrad Muhlenberg (; January 1, 1750 – June 4, 1801) was an American minister and politician who was the first Speaker of the United States House of Representatives and the first Dean of the United States House of Repres ...
(P) : . Peter Muhlenberg (A) : . Thomas Scott (P) : . Henry Wynkoop (P)


Rhode Island Rhode Island (, like ''road'') is a U.S. state, state in the New England region of the Northeastern United States. It is the List of U.S. states by area, smallest U.S. state by area and the List of states and territories of the United States ...

: .
Benjamin Bourne Benjamin Bourne (September 9, 1755September 17, 1808) was a United States representative from Rhode Island, a United States district judge of the United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island and a United States Circuit Judge of ...
(P), from December 17, 1790


South Carolina )''Animis opibusque parati'' ( for, , Latin, Prepared in mind and resources, links=no) , anthem = " Carolina";" South Carolina On My Mind" , Former = Province of South Carolina , seat = Columbia , LargestCity = Charleston , LargestMetro = ...

: . William L. Smith (P), from April 13, 1789 : . Aedanus Burke (A) : .
Daniel Huger Daniel Huger (February 20, 1742July 6, 1799) was an American planter and statesman from Berkeley County, South Carolina. Early life His grandfather was Daniel Huger Sr (1651–1711), a French Huguenot who was born in Loudun, France and se ...
(P) : .
Thomas Sumter Thomas Sumter (August 14, 1734June 1, 1832) was a soldier in the Colony of Virginia militia; a brigadier general in the South Carolina militia during the American Revolution, a planter, and a politician. After the United States gained independe ...
(A) : . Thomas Tudor Tucker (A)


Virginia Virginia, officially the Commonwealth of Virginia, is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern regions of the United States, between the Atlantic Coast and the Appalachian Mountains. The geography and climate of the Commonwealth are ...

: . Alexander White (P) : . John Brown (A) : . Andrew Moore (A) : . Richard Bland Lee (P) : .
James Madison James Madison Jr. (March 16, 1751June 28, 1836) was an American statesman, diplomat, and Founding Father. He served as the fourth president of the United States from 1809 to 1817. Madison is hailed as the "Father of the Constitution" for h ...
(A) : . Isaac Coles (A) : . John Page (A) : .
Josiah Parker Josiah Parker (May 11, 1751March 11, 1810) was an American politician, Revolutionary War officer and Virginia planter who served in the United States House of Representatives from Virginia in the First through Sixth United States Congresses as ...
(P) : . Theodorick Bland (A), until June 1, 1790 :: William B. Giles (A), from December 7, 1790 : . Samuel Griffin (P)


Changes in membership

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. New York,
North Carolina North Carolina () is a U.S. state, state in the Southeastern United States, Southeastern region of the United States. The state is the List of U.S. states and territories by area, 28th largest and List of states and territories of the United ...
, and
Rhode Island Rhode Island (, like ''road'') is a U.S. state, state in the New England region of the Northeastern United States. It is the List of U.S. states by area, smallest U.S. state by area and the List of states and territories of the United States ...
, were the last states to ratify the U.S. Constitution, and because of their late ratification, were unable to send full representation at the beginning of this Congress. Six Senators and nine Representatives were subsequently seated from these states during the sessions as noted.


Senate

There was 1 resignation, 1 death, 1 replacement of a temporary appointee, and 6 new seats. The Anti-Administration Senators picked up 1 new seat and the Pro-Administration Senators picked up 5 new seats. , - , New York (3) , rowspan=4 , New seats , rowspan=2 style="font-size:80%" , State legislature failed to choose senator until after Congress began. , , Rufus King (P) , July 25, 1789 , - , New York (1) , ,
Philip John Schuyler Philip John Schuyler (; November 18, 1804) was an American general in the Revolutionary War and a United States Senator from New York. He is usually known as Philip Schuyler, while his son is usually known as Philip J. Schuyler. Born in Al ...
(P) , July 27, 1789 , - ,
North Carolina North Carolina () is a U.S. state, state in the Southeastern United States, Southeastern region of the United States. The state is the List of U.S. states and territories by area, 28th largest and List of states and territories of the United ...
(3) , rowspan=2 style="font-size:80%" , North Carolina ratified the constitution on November 21, 1789. , ,
Benjamin Hawkins Benjamin Hawkins (August 15, 1754June 6, 1816) was an American planter, statesman and a U.S. Indian agent He was a delegate to the Continental Congress and a United States Senator from North Carolina, having grown up among the planter eli ...
(P) , rowspan=2 , Elected November 27, 1789 , - ,
North Carolina North Carolina () is a U.S. state, state in the Southeastern United States, Southeastern region of the United States. The state is the List of U.S. states and territories by area, 28th largest and List of states and territories of the United ...
(2) , , Samuel Johnston (P) , - ,
Virginia Virginia, officially the Commonwealth of Virginia, is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern regions of the United States, between the Atlantic Coast and the Appalachian Mountains. The geography and climate of the Commonwealth are ...

(1) , , William Grayson (A) , style="font-size:80%" , Died March 12, 1790. , , John Walker (P) , Appointed March 31, 1790 , - ,
Rhode Island Rhode Island (, like ''road'') is a U.S. state, state in the New England region of the Northeastern United States. It is the List of U.S. states by area, smallest U.S. state by area and the List of states and territories of the United States ...
(1) , rowspan=2 , New seats , rowspan=2 style="font-size:80%" , Rhode Island ratified the constitution on May 29, 1790. , , Theodore Foster (P) , rowspan=2 , Elected June 7, 1790 , - ,
Rhode Island Rhode Island (, like ''road'') is a U.S. state, state in the New England region of the Northeastern United States. It is the List of U.S. states by area, smallest U.S. state by area and the List of states and territories of the United States ...
(2) , , Joseph Stanton Jr. (A) , - ,
Virginia Virginia, officially the Commonwealth of Virginia, is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern regions of the United States, between the Atlantic Coast and the Appalachian Mountains. The geography and climate of the Commonwealth are ...

(1) , , John Walker (P) , style="font-size:80%" , James Monroe was elected to the seat of Senator William Grayson. , , James Monroe (A) , Elected November 9, 1790 , - ,
New Jersey New Jersey is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York; on the east, southeast, and south by the Atlantic Ocean; on the west by the Delawa ...
(2) , , William Paterson (P) , style="font-size:80%" , Resigned November 13, 1790,
having been elected
Governor of New Jersey The governor of New Jersey is the head of government of New Jersey. The office of governor is an elected position with a four-year term. There is a two consecutive term term limit, with no limitation on non-consecutive terms. The official r ...
. , , Philemon Dickinson (P) , Elected November 23, 1790


House of Representatives

There was 2 resignations, 1 death, and 6 new seats. Anti-Administration members picked up 3 seats and Pro-Administration members picked up 2 seats. , - , , , Benjamin West (P) , Member-elect declined to serve and a new member was elected in the first congressional special election. , ,
Abiel Foster Abiel Foster (August 8, 1735 – February 6, 1806) was an American clergyman and politician from Canterbury, New Hampshire, Canterbury, Province of New Hampshire. He represented New Hampshire in the Continental Congress and the United States H ...
(P) , June 23, 1789 , - , , rowspan=5 , New seats , rowspan=5 , North Carolina ratified the constitution November 21, 1789. , ,
John Baptista Ashe John Ashe may refer to: * John Ashe (minister) (1671–1735), English dissenting minister * John Ashe (of Freshford) (1597–1658), MP for Westbury * John Ashe (priest) (born 1953), Church of England priest and Archdeacon of Lynn *John Ashe (genera ...
(A) , March 24, 1790 , - , , ,
Hugh Williamson Hugh Williamson (December 5, 1735 – May 22, 1819) was an American Founding Father, physician, and politician. He is best known as a signatory to the U.S. Constitution, and for representing North Carolina at the Constitutional Convention. W ...
(A) , March 19, 1790 , - , , ,
Timothy Bloodworth Timothy James Bloodworth (1736August 24, 1814) was a slave owner, ardent patriot in the American Revolution, member of the Confederation Congress, vigorous anti-Federalist, U.S. congressman and senator, and collector of customs for the Port of Wi ...
(A) , April 6, 1790 , - , , ,
John Steele John Steele may refer to: Politics * John Steele (Nova Scotia politician) (died c. 1762), surgeon and political figure in Nova Scotia * John Steele (North Carolina politician) (1764–1815), U.S. Representative from North Carolina * John Hardy Stee ...
(P) , April 19, 1790 , - , , , John Sevier (P) , June 16, 1790 , - , , New seat , Rhode Island ratified the constitution May 29, 1790. , ,
Benjamin Bourne Benjamin Bourne (September 9, 1755September 17, 1808) was a United States representative from Rhode Island, a United States district judge of the United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island and a United States Circuit Judge of ...
(P) , December 17, 1790 , - , , , Theodorick Bland (A) , Died June 1, 1790. , , William B. Giles (A) , December 7, 1790 , - , , , George Partridge (P) , Resigned August 14, 1790. , colspan=2 , Remained vacant until next Congress


Committees

Lists of committees and their party leaders.


Senate

* Whole


House of Representatives

*
Elections An election is a formal group decision-making process by which a population chooses an individual or multiple individuals to hold public office. Elections have been the usual mechanism by which modern representative democracy has opera ...
(Chairman: N/A) * Rules (Select) * Ways and Means (Chairman: Thomas Fitzsimons) * Whole


Joint committees

* Enrolled Bills (Chairman: Paine Wingate)


Employees


Senate

* Secretary: Samuel A. Otis, elected April 8, 1789 * Doorkeeper: James Mathers, elected April 7, 1789 * Chaplain: ** Samuel Provoost ( Episcopalian), elected April 25, 1789 ** William White ( Episcopalian), elected December 9, 1790


House of Representatives

* Clerk: John J. Beckley * Sergeant at Arms: Joseph Wheaton, elected May 12, 1789 * Doorkeeper:
Gifford Dalley Gifford Dalley was a United States House of Representatives officer from 1789 to 1795. He served as the House Doorkeeper for the First, Second, and Third United States Congresses. At various times, Dalley's last name appeared in official records ...
* Chaplain: ** William Linn (
Presbyterian Presbyterianism is a part of the Reformed tradition within Protestantism that broke from the Roman Catholic Church in Scotland by John Knox, who was a priest at St. Giles Cathedral (Church of Scotland). Presbyterian churches derive their n ...
), elected May 1, 1789 ** Samuel Blair (
Presbyterian Presbyterianism is a part of the Reformed tradition within Protestantism that broke from the Roman Catholic Church in Scotland by John Knox, who was a priest at St. Giles Cathedral (Church of Scotland). Presbyterian churches derive their n ...
), elected December 10, 1790 * Reading Clerks: John Beckley. *


See also

* 1788–89 United States elections (elections leading to this Congress) **
1788–89 United States presidential election The 1788–1789 United States presidential election was the first quadrennial presidential election. It was held from Monday, December 15, 1788, to Saturday, January 10, 1789, under the new Constitution ratified that same year. George Washingto ...
**
1788 and 1789 United States Senate elections Events January–March * January 1 – The first edition of ''The Times'', previously ''The Daily Universal Register'', is published in London. * January 2 – Georgia ratifies the United States Constitution, and becomes the fourth U. ...
** United States House of Representatives elections, 1788 and 1789 * 1790 United States elections (elections during this Congress, leading to the next Congress) ** 1790 and 1791 United States Senate elections ** 1790 and 1791 United States House of Representatives elections


Notes


References


Further reading

* Bickford, Charlene Bangs, and Kenneth R. Bowling. ''Birth of the nation: the First Federal Congress, 1789–1791'' (Rowman & Littlefield, 1989) * Bordewich, Fergus M. ''The First Congress: How James Madison, George Washington, and a Group of Extraordinary Men Invented the Government'' (2016) * Bowling, Kenneth R. ''Politics in the first Congress, 1789–1791'' (Taylor & Francis, 1990) * Christman, Margaret C.S. ''The first federal congress, 1789–1791'' (Smithsonian Inst Pr, 1989.) * Currie, David P. "The Constitution in Congress: Substantive Issues in the First Congress, 1789–1791." ''The University of Chicago Law Review'' 61 (1994): 775–865.
online
* Jillson, Calvin C., and Rick K. Wilson. ''Congressional Dynamics: Structure, Coordination, and Choice in the First American Congress, 1774–1789'' (Stanford University Press, 1994) * *


External links


1st Federal Congress Project






* ttp://bioguide.congress.gov/ Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
House History
from the U.S. House of Representatives

from the U.S. Senate {{Authority control