31st United States Congress

The 31st 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, 1849, to March 4, 1851, during the 16 months of the Zachary Taylor presidency and the first eight months of the administration of Millard Fillmore's. The apportionment of seats in this House of Representatives was based on the 1840 [United States census]. The Senate had a Democratic majority, while there was a Democratic plurality in the House.

Major events

March 4, 1849: Zachary Taylor became President of the United States
June, 1849: Relations with France broke down as the French ambassador Guillaume-Tell de La Vallée Poussin engaged in "insulting and confrontational" behavior towards President Taylor, shortly after this a row erupted with France over reparations which France owed the United States. The president of France, Napoleon III, made this worse by making remarks that led to several members of Congress openly condemning him.
December 3–22, 1849: The election for the House speakership takes 63 ballots.
March 7, 1850: Senator Daniel Webster gave his "Seventh of March" speech in which he endorsed the Compromise of 1850 to prevent a possible civil war
May 22, 1850: Senate votes 42-11 in favor of ratifying the Clayton–Bulwer Treaty after the motion to do so was put forth by William R. King of Alabama. The results of the vote were celebrated in Britain.
July 9, 1850: President Taylor died and Vice President Millard Fillmore became President.

Major legislation

September 9, 1850: Compromise of 1850, sess. 1, chs. 48-51, -
September 18, 1850: Fugitive Slave Act, sess. 1, ch. 60,
September 20, 1850: "An Act to suppress the Slave Trade in the District of Columbia," sess. 1, ch. 63,
September 29, 1850: Donation Land Claim Act, sess. 1, ch. 76,

States admitted and territories organized

September 9, 1850 — As part of the Compromise of 1850:
* Texas's borders were changed, ch. 49,
* New Mexico Territory was organized, ch. 49,
* California was admitted as a state, ch. 50,
* Utah Territory was organized, ch. 51,

Party summary

Senate

During this Congress, two Senate seats were added for the new state of California.

House of Representatives

During this Congress, two House seats were added for the new state of California.

Leadership

Senate

President: Millard Fillmore, until July 9, 1850; vacant thereafter.
President pro tempore: David Atchison, until May 5, 1850
* William R. King, from May 6, 1850

House of Representatives

Speaker: Howell Cobb, elected December 22, 1849, after 63 ballots
Democratic Caucus Chairman: James Thompson

Members

This list is arranged by chamber, then by state. Senators are listed by class, and representatives 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, facing re-election in 1850; Class 2 meant their term began in the last Congress, facing re-election in 1852; and Class 3 meant their term began in this Congress, facing re-election in 1854.

Illinois">List of United States senators from Illinois">Illinois

Michigan">List of United States senators from Michigan">Michigan

Pennsylvania">List of United States senators from Pennsylvania">Pennsylvania

House of Representatives

The names of representatives are preceded by their district numbers.

California">List of United States representatives from California">California

Both representatives were elected statewide on a general ticket.

Kentucky">List of United States representatives from Kentucky">Kentucky

New Hampshire">List of United States representatives from New Hampshire">New Hampshire

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: 5
* Democrats (D): no net change
* Whigs (W): no net change
Deaths: 1
Resignations: 3
Seats from newly admitted states: 2
Interim appointments: 4
'''Total seats with changes: 8'''

House of Representatives

Replacements: 11
* Democrats (D): 2 seat net gain
* Whigs (W): 2 seat net loss
Deaths: 8
Resignations: 5
Contested election:1
Seats from newly admitted states: 2
'''Total seats with changes: 16'''

Committees

Lists of committees and their party leaders.

Senate

House of Representatives

Joint committees

Caucuses

Employees

Librarian of Congress: John Silva Meehan

Senate

Chaplain: Henry Slicer, until January 9, 1850
* Clement M. Butler, elected January 9, 1850
Secretary: Asbury Dickins
Sergeant at Arms: Robert Beale

House of Representatives

Chaplain: Ralph Gurley
Clerk: Thomas J. Campbell, died April 13, 1850
* Richard M. Young, elected April 17, 1850
Doorkeeper: Robert E. Horner
Postmaster: John M. Johnson
Reading Clerks:
Sergeant at Arms: Nathan Sargent, until January 15, 1850
* Adam J. Glossbrenner, from January 15, 1850