28th United States Congress
The 28th 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, 1843, to March 4, 1845, during the third and fourth years of John Tyler's presidency. The apportionment of seats in this House of Representatives was based on the 1840 [United States census]. The Senate had a Whig majority, and the House had a Democratic majority.
Major events
- May 24, 1844: The first electrical telegram was sent by Samuel F. B. Morse from the U.S. Capitol to the B&O Railroad "outer depot" in Baltimore, Maryland, saying "What hath God wrought".
- December 4, 1844: U.S. presidential election, 1844: James K. Polk defeated Henry Clay
Major legislation
- January 23, 1845: Presidential Election Day Act, ch. 1,
- March 3, 1845: For the first time, Congress overrode a Presidential veto. An act relating to revenue cutters and steamers was thereby enacted as the last Act of the 28th Congress: session II, ch. 78,.
Treaties
- July 3, 1844: Treaty of Wanghia which was signed with the Qing Empire. The treaty established five U.S. treaty ports in China with extraterritoriality and was the first unequal treaty that the country imposed on the dynasty.
States admitted
- March 1, 1845: Resolution for the Annexation of Texas,
- March 3, 1845: Florida admitted,. The statute also allowed for the provisional admission of Iowa, pending a referendum in that state.
Party summary
Senate
During this congress, two Senate seats were added for the new state of Florida.House of Representatives
Following the 1840 United States census, Congress reapportioned the House to include 223 seats. During this congress, one House seat was added for the new state of Florida.Leadership
Senate
- President of [the United States Senate|President]: Vacant
- President pro tempore: Willie P. Mangum
House of Representatives
Members
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 ended with this Congress, requiring reelection in 1844; Class 2 meant their term began in the last Congress, requiring reelection in 1846; and Class 3 meant their term began in this Congress, requiring reelection in 1848.Indiana">List of United States senators from Indiana">Indiana
Missouri">List of United States senators from Missouri">Missouri
South Carolina">List of United States senators from South Carolina">South Carolina
House of Representatives
Representatives are listed by their district numbers.Georgia">List of United States representatives from Georgia">Georgia
All representatives were elected statewide on a general ticket.Michigan">List of United States representatives from Michigan">Michigan
Mississippi">List of United States representatives from Mississippi">Mississippi
All representatives were elected statewide on a general ticket.Missouri">List of United States representatives from Missouri">Missouri
All representatives were elected statewide on a general ticket.New Hampshire">List of United States representatives from New Hampshire">New Hampshire
All representatives were elected statewide on a general ticket.Tennessee">List of United States representatives from Tennessee">Tennessee
Changes in membership
The count below reflects changes from the beginning of the first session of this Congress.Senate
- Replacements: 7
- * Democrats (D): no net change
- * Whigs (W): 1 seat net loss
- * Law and Order (LO): 1 seat net gain
- Deaths: 3
- Resignations: 5
- Interim appointments: 1
- '''Total seats with changes: 10'''
House of Representatives
- Replacements: 14
- * Democrats (D): 6 seat net loss
- * Whigs (W): 6 seat net gain
- Deaths: 7
- Resignations: 7
- Contested election: 0
- '''Total seats with changes: 16'''
Committees
Lists of committees and their party leaders.Joint committees
Employees
Senate
House of Representatives
- Chaplain: Isaac S. Tinsley, elected December 16, 1843
- * William M. Daily, from December 4, 1844
- Clerk: Matthew St. Clair Clarke, until December 7, 1843
- * Caleb J. McNulty, elected December 7, 1843
- * Benjamin B. French, elected January 18, 1845
- Doorkeeper: Jesse E. Dow, elected December 7, 1843
- Postmaster: William J. McCormick, until January 4, 1844
- * John M. Johnson, from January 4, 1844
- Reading Clerks:
- Sergeant at Arms: Eleazor M. Townsend, until December 8, 1843
- * Newton Lane, from December 8, 1843