26th United States Congress
The 26th Congress of the United States , made up of the House and Senate , was the legislature of the United States . Its legislative period lasted from March 4, 1839 to March 4, 1841. All members of the House of Representatives and a third of the senators ( Class I ) were elected in the 1838 congressional elections. This resulted in a majority in both chambers for the Democratic Party , which, along with Martin Van Buren, also provided the president. The Whig Party only had the role in opposition. The congress met in the American capital Washington, DC At that time the United States consisted of 26 states. The distribution of seats in the House of Representatives was based on the 1830 census .
Important events
- March 4, 1839: Beginning of the legislative period of the 26th Congress.
- The Indian wars continue throughout the legislative period .
- March 9, 1840: The Wilmington and Raleigh Railroad Railroad is completed. The completion of the Raleigh and Gaston Railroad follows in April , both routes run in North Carolina .
- May 7, 1840: 317 people died and 109 injured in a tornado over the city of Natchez , Mississippi .
- November 7, 1840: In the presidential election, incumbent Martin Van Buren is defeated by William Henry Harrison . He took up his new office on March 4, 1841.
Composition according to parties
senate
- Democratic Party: 29
- Whig Party: 23
- Others (0
- Vacant: 0
Total: 52 at the end of the legislative period
House of Representatives
- Democratic Party: 124
- Whig Party: 111
- Others: 7
- Vacant: 0
Total: 242 at the end of the legislative period
There were also three congressional delegates who were not entitled to vote
Public officials
senate
House of Representatives
Senate members
The following senators represented their respective states in the 26th Congress:
Members of the House of Representatives
The following congressmen represented the interests of their respective states in the 26th Congress:
Members of the House of Representatives who are not entitled to vote:
- Florida Territory : Charles Downing
- Iowa Territory : William W. Chapman (D) through Oct. 27, 1840; Augustus C. Dodge (D)
- Wisconsin Territory : James Duane Doty (D)
Web links
- bioguide.congress.gov (by entering 26 under Year OR Congress: you get a list of the members of the 26th Congress with a link to the official biographies; English)