First Congress

• Author: John P. Kaminski
• Pages: 1057-1059

Page 1057

One year after the CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION OF 1787 adjourned, the Confederation Congress called the first federal elections. An overwhelming majority of Federalists were elected to this First Congress, which was expected to function as a quasi-constitutional convention. The tasks facing the new Congress were formidable because, according to Congressman JAMES MADISON, the legislators would be traveling "in a wilderness without a single footstep to guide" them. If Congress acted wisely, however, Madison felt that its "successors [would] have an easier task."

Not surprisingly, experienced men were selected to

Page 1058

serve in the new Congress. Eleven of the first senators and nine congressmen had been delegates to the federal convention, and fourteen senators and twice as many congressmen had served in state ratifying conventions. GEORGE WASHINGTON told Lafayette that the new Congress "will not be inferior to any Assembly in the world."

The whole country anxiously anticipated the meeting of Congress at Federal Hall in New York City on March 4, 1789. However, much to the chagrin of Federalists, neither house had a quorum on the appointed day. Almost a month elapsed before the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES attained a quorum on April 1, followed five days later by the SENATE; at this time, a joint session of Congress performed its constitutionally assigned function of counting the presidential electoral votes. George Washington was declared President by a unanimous vote, while JOHN ADAMS, a distant second, was proclaimed vice president. Messengers were sent to Washington and Adams as Congress made plans for their reception and inauguration.

Early in April the House elected Frederick A. Muhlenberg of Pennsylvania speaker and John Beckley of Virginia clerk. The Senate elected JOHN LANGDON of New Hampshire president pro tempore and Samuel A. Otis of Massachusetts secretary. The House voted to hold open sessions except on sensitive matters such as Indian or military policy, whereas the Senate chose to keep its sessions closed. Two delegations came to the House under a cloud; opponents formally contested the elections of William Loughton Smith of South Carolina and the entire New Jersey delegation. Acting under Article I, section 5, of the Constitution, the House investigated the elections and declared that Smith and the New Jersey congressmen had been duly elected. The Senate, acting under Article I, section 3, drew...