12th United States Congress
The 12th 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 in Washington, D.C. from March 4, 1811, to March 4, 1813, during the third and fourth years of James Madison's presidency. The apportionment of seats in the House of Representatives was based on the 1800 United States census. Both chambers had a Democratic-Republican majority.
Major events
- November 6, 1811: Battle of Tippecanoe: William Henry Harrison defeated Tecumseh's forces
- December 16, 1811: New Madrid earthquake
- April 4, 1812: President Madison enacted a 90-day embargo on trade with the United Kingdom
- April 20, 1812: Vice President George Clinton died
- June 18, 1812: War of 1812: United States declared war on Great Britain
- August 16, 1812: War of 1812: Detroit surrendered to the British.
- October 13, 1812: War of 1812: the Battle of Queenston Heights
- November 5, 1812: Elections of 1812:
- * 1812 United States presidential election: Incumbent James Madison beat DeWitt Clinton.
- * United States Senate elections, 1812 and 1813
- * House of Representatives elections, 1812 and 1813
States admitted and territories organized
- April 30, 1812: Louisiana was admitted as a state into the Union. It was formerly known as the Territory of Orleans
- June 4, 1812: Missouri Territory was organized. It was formerly known as Louisiana Territory
Party summary
The count below identifies party affiliations at the beginning of the first session of this congress. Changes resulting from subsequent replacements are shown below in the "Changes in membership" section.Senate
During this congress, two new Senate seats were added for the new state of Louisiana.House of Representatives
During this congress, one new House seat was added for the new state of Louisiana.Leadership
Senate
- President: George Clinton, until April 20, 1812; vacant thereafter.
- President pro tempore: William H. Crawford
House of Representatives
Speaker of the United States House of Representatives Henry Clay Democratic-RepublicanMembers
This list is arranged by chamber, then by state. Senators are listed by class, and representatives are listed by district.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, Class 1 meant their term began in the last Congress, requiring re-election in 1814; Class 2 meant their term began with this Congress, requiring re-election in 1816; and Class 3 meant their term ended with this Congress, requiring re-election in 1812New Hampshire">List of United States senators from New Hampshire">New Hampshire
Tennessee">List of United States senators from Tennessee">Tennessee
House of Representatives
The names of representatives are preceded by their district numbers.[List of [United States representatives from Connecticut|Connecticut]]
All representatives were elected statewide on a general ticket.Georgia">List of United States representatives from Georgia">Georgia
All representatives were elected statewide on a general ticket.Maryland">List of United States representatives from Maryland">Maryland
The 5th district was a plural district with two representatives.New Hampshire">List of United States representatives from New Hampshire">New Hampshire
All representatives were elected statewide on a general ticket.New Jersey">List of United States representatives from New Jersey">New Jersey
All representatives were elected statewide on a general ticket.New York">List of United States representatives from New York">New York
There were two plural districts, the 2nd & 6th each had two representatives.Pennsylvania">List of United States representatives from Pennsylvania">Pennsylvania
There were four plural districts, the 1st, 2nd, & 3rd had three representatives each, the 4th had two representatives.Rhode Island">List of United States representatives from Rhode Island">Rhode Island
Both representatives were elected statewide on a general ticket.Changes in membership
The count below reflects changes from the beginning of the first session of this Congress.Senate
- Replacements: 1
- * Democratic-Republicans: no net change
- * Federalists: no net change
- Deaths: 0
- Resignations: 4
- Interim appointments: 1
- Seats of newly admitted states: 2
- Vacancies:1
- '''Total seats with changes: 6'''
House of Representatives
- Replacements: 3
- * Democratic-Republicans: no net change
- * Federalists: no net change
- Deaths: 2
- Resignations: 5
- Contested election: 1
- Seats of newly admitted states: 1
- Vacancies: 1
- '''Total seats with changes: 10'''
Committees
Lists of committees and their party leaders.Senate
- Audit and Control the Contingent Expenses of the Senate
- Engrossed Bills
- National University
- Whole
House of Representatives
- Accounts
- Apportionment of Representatives
- Bankruptcy
- Claims
- Commerce and Manufactures
- District of Columbia
- Elections
- Post Office and Post Roads
- Public Lands
- Revisal and Unfinished Business
- Rules
- Standards of Official Conduct
- Ways and Means
- Whole
Joint committees
Employees
[List of [federal agencies in the United States#United States Congress|Legislative branch agency]] directors
- Architect of the Capitol: Benjamin Latrobe, until July 1, 1811; vacant thereafter
- Librarian of Congress: Patrick Magruder
Senate
- Chaplain: Walter D. Addison, until November 13, 1811
- * John Brackenridge, from November 13, 1811
- Secretary: Samuel A. Otis
- Sergeant at Arms: James Mathers, died
- * Mountjoy Bayly, elected November 6, 1811
House of Representatives
- Chaplain: Jesse Lee (Methodist), until November 13, 1811
- * Nicholas Snethen, elected November 13, 1811
- * Jesse Lee, elected November 2, 1812
- Clerk: Patrick Magruder
- Doorkeeper: Thomas Claxton
- Reading Clerks:
- Sergeant at Arms: Thomas Dunn