13th United States Congress
The 13th United States Congress , made up of the House and Senate , was the United States' legislature . Its legislative period lasted from March 4, 1813 to March 4, 1815. All members of the House of Representatives and a third of the senators ( Class III ) were elected in the 1812 congressional elections. This resulted in a majority for the Democratic Republican Party in both chambers . The Congress met in the American capital Washington, DC Since the Capitol was destroyed during the British-American War of 1812 , the Congress first had to switch to the building of the patent office. Later until 1819 the meetings took place in the so-called Old Capitol Prison . The United States then consisted of 18 states. President was James Madison . The distribution of seats in the House of Representatives was based on the 1810 census .
Important events
- March 4, 1813: beginning of the legislative period of the 13th Congress. At the same time, President James Madison is inducted into his second term.
- Most of this legislative period is dominated by the events of the British-American War. At the same time there are further clashes with the Indians. See also Indian Wars .
- August 25, 1814: The British burn Washington down. See also Washington fire .
- November 23, 1814: Vice President Elbridge Gerry dies. This also makes the office of the official Senate President vacant.
- December 15, 1814 - January 5, 1815: In Hartford , several meetings are held under the name Hartford Convention go down in history. The New England states are protesting against the British-American War, which in their eyes is too strong a federal government, and are threatening to leave the Union, which does not happen.
- December 24, 1814: The Peace of Ghent ends the British-American War.
- 1814: The Democratic Republican Party defends its majority in both chambers in the congressional elections.
- January 8, 1815: Ignoring the peace of Ghent, the Battle of New Orleans takes place . The Americans, led by Andrew Jackson, defeat the British troops.
Composition according to parties
senate
- Democratic Republican Party: 24
- Federalist Party : 11
- Others (0
- Vacant: 1
Total: 36 at the end of the legislative period
House of Representatives
- Democratic Republican Party: 115
- Federalist Party: 67
- Others (0
- Vacant: 0
Total: 182 at the end of the legislative period
There were also four congressional delegates who were not entitled to vote
Public officials
senate
- President of the Senate : Elbridge Gerry (DR) until his death on November 23, 1814, after which the office was vacant.
- President per tempore : William Harris Crawford (DR) until March 23, 1813, then Joseph Bradley Varnum (DR) until February 3, 1814 and then John Gaillard (DR).
House of Representatives
- Speaker of the House of Representatives : Henry Clay (DR) until January 19, 1814, then Langdon Cheves (DR).
Senate members
The following senators represented their respective states in the 13th Congress:
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James Barbour (DR) from January 2, 1815
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Members of the House of Representatives
The following congressmen represented the interests of their respective states in the 13th Congress:
Connecticut All MPs were state-elected.
Delaware All MPs were elected state-wide.
Georgia All MPs were elected state-wide.
Kentucky Ten Constituencies
Maryland Eight constituencies. The fifth electoral district had two MPs.
Massachusetts 20 constituencies
New Hampshire All MPs were state-elected.
New Jersey There were three constituencies with two MPs each in Congress.
New York 21 constituencies. The 1st, 2nd, 12th, 15th, 20th and 21st constituencies each had two MPs.
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North Carolina 13 constituencies
Ohio 6 constituencies
Pennsylvania 15 constituencies. The first constituency had four MPs, the 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 6th and 10th constituencies had two MPs each. The rest one each.
Rhode Island All MPs were state-elected. South Carolina 9 constituencies
Tennessee 6 constituencies
Vermont All six MPs were elected state-wide
Virginia 22 constituencies
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Members of the House of Representatives who are not entitled to vote:
- Illinois Territory : Shadrach Bond until August 2, 1813, then Benjamin Stephenson from November 14, 1814
- Indiana Territory : Jonathan Jennings
- Mississippi Territory : William Lattimore
- Missouri Territory : Edward Hempstead until September 17, 1814, then Rufus Easton from September 17, 1814
Web links
- bioguide.congress.gov (by entering 13 under Year OR Congress: you get a list of the members of the 13th Congress with a link to the official biographies; English)