15th United States Congress

1817-1819 U.S. Congress February 2026 February 2026 February 2013 15th United States Congress 14th 16th BrickCapitol.jpg 220px The Old Brick Capitol, the temporary Capitol while the U.S. Capitol was being renovated after the Burning of Washington. (pictured here around 1861 in use as a Civil War prison) United States Congress United States March 4, 1817 March 4, 1819 Senate 42 Democratic-Republican President Daniel D. Tompkins (DR) President pro tempore James Barbour (DR) House of Representatives 185 representatives3 non-voting delegates Democratic-Republican Speaker Henry Clay (DR) SpecialSpecial session of the Senate. March 4, 1817 March 6, 1817 1st December 1, 1817 April 20, 1818 2nd November 16, 1818 March 3, 1819 The 15th 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 the Old Brick Capitol in Washington, D.C. from March 4, 1817, to March 4, 1819, during the first two years of James Monroe's presidency. The apportionment of seats in the House of Representatives was based on the 1810 United States census. Both chambers had a Democratic-Republican majority. 2 Letter of December 1818 Two major treaties with the United Kingdom were approved, finalized and signed during the 15th Congress, both the Rush–Bagot Treaty and the Treaty of 1818, both of which pertained to the United States-Canada border, and both of which were overwhelmingly popular in the United States. President James Monroe and Secretary of State John Quincy Adams were credited with the accomplishments. A letter signed by many members of congress expressing "Gratitude, amity and brotherhood with Great Britain" was addressed to British Prime Minister Robert Jenkinson, 2nd Earl of Liverpool, British Secretary of State for War and the Colonies Henry Bathurst, 3rd Earl Bathurst, British foreign secretary Robert Stewart, Viscount Castlereagh and Britain's minister plenipotentiary and envoy extraordinaire to the United States Charles Bagot. The letter also attacked King Louis XVIII of France for insulting remarks he had made towards American diplomats and about the United States, as well as his refusal to pay reparations owed to the United States from damages incurred during the Quasi-War. The letter was signed in December 1818 by Joel Abbot, Thomas W. Cobb, Zadock Cook, Joel Crawford, John Forsyth, William Terrell, Charles Tait, William Smith, John Gaillard, Henry Middleton, William Lowndes, James Ervin, Joseph Bellinger, Starling Tucker, Eldred Simkins, Elias Earle, Wilson Nesbitt, Stephen Decatur Miller, Montfort Stokes, Nathaniel Macon, Lemuel Sawyer, Joseph Hunter Bryan, Thomas H. Hall, Jesse Slocumb, James Owen, Weldon Nathaniel Edwards, James Stewart, James Strudwick Smith, Thomas Settle, George Mumford, Daniel Munroe Forney, Felix Walker, Lewis Williams, John J. Crittenden, Isham Talbot, David Trimble, Henry Clay, Richard Mentor Johnson, Joseph Desha, Anthony New, David Walker, George Robertson, Richard Clough Anderson Jr., Tunstall Quarles, Thomas Speed, William Hendricks, James Noble, Waller Taylor, John Eaton, John Williams, John Rhea, William Grainger Blount, Francis Jones, Samuel E. Hogg, Thomas Claiborne, George W.L. Marr, George Poindexter, Prentiss Mellen, Harrison Gray Otis, Enoch Lincoln, Jonathan Mason, Nathaniel Silsbee, Jeremiah Nelson, Timothy Fuller, Elijah H. Mills, Samuel Clesson Allen, Henry Shaw, Zabdiel Sampson, Walter Folger Jr., Marcus Morton, Benjamin Adams, Solomon Strong, Nathaniel Ruggles, John Holmes, Ezekiel Whitman, Benjamin Orr, John Wilson, Thomas Rice, Joshua Gage and Albion Parris, all of whom also voted to ratify both of the aforementioned treaties. Several governors also signed the letter, which was entirely symbolic and intended as a gesture of goodwill, including Gabriel Slaughter, William Rabun, John Geddes, John Branch, John Brooks, James Patton Preston and David Holmes. This was significant because the governors and the members of congress were from different regions (both Massachusetts and several southern states were represented), and because signers came from both the Whig Party and the Democratic-Republicans.The American Response to Canada Since 1776 by Gordon T. StewartJohn Quincy Adams: Policymaker for the Union by James E. Lewis Jr.The Undefended Border: The Myth and the Reality by Charles Perry Stacey, Canadian Historical Association, 1967The American Entente by Robert Balmain Moway pg. 41-45 Many members of congress and Washington DC had a very hostile relationship with France's notoriously combative ambassador Jean-Guillaume, baron Hyde de Neuville, which contributed to the letters contents as per France.America in the French mind during the Bourbon Restoration by John deWitt MacBride 1955 pg. 45-46 Major events 1817 in the United States 1818 in the United States 1819 in the United States March 4, 1817: James Monroe became President of the United States July 4, 1817: Construction on the Erie Canal began November 20, 1817: The first Seminole War began in Florida January 2, 1819: The Panic of 1819, the first major financial crisis in the United States, began. February 2, 1819: Dartmouth College v. Woodward: Supreme Court allowed Dartmouth to keep its charter and remain a private institution. Major legislation List of United States federal legislation#15th United States Congress April 4, 1818: Flag Act of 1818, Sess. 1, ch. 34, 3 415 Treaties April 29, 1817: Rush–Bagot Treaty signed between the U.S. and the United Kingdom October 20, 1818: Treaty of 1818 between the U.S. and the United Kingdom established the northern boundary as the 49th parallel from the Lake of the Woods to the Rocky Mountains, also creating the Northwest Angle. February 22, 1819: Adams-Onís Treaty: Spain ceded Florida to the United States States admitted and territories created December 10, 1817: Mississippi admitted as the 20th state December 3, 1818: Illinois admitted as the 21st state March 2, 1819: Arkansas Territory was created, 3 493; it was formerly part of the Missouri 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 Senate seats were added for each of the new states of Mississippi and Illinois. 15 Democratic-Republican DR 25 25 28 29 Federalist F 13 13 12 9 0 0 2 4 House of Representatives During this congress, one House seat was added for each of the new states of Mississippi and Illinois. 15 Democratic-Republican DR 136 141 144 158 Federalist F 46 39 40 25 1 3 1 2 Leadership 200px DTompkins.png President of the SenateDaniel D. Tompkins 200px Henry Clay.JPG Speaker of the HouseHenry Clay Senate President: Daniel D. Tompkins (DR) President pro tempore: John Gaillard (DR), elected March 4, 1817 James Barbour (DR), elected February 15, 1819 House of Representatives Speaker: Henry Clay (DR) Members This list is arranged by chamber, then by state. Senators are listed by class and representatives are listed by district. Skip to House of Representatives, below Senate List of United States senators in the 15th Congress 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 1820; Class 2 meant their term began with this Congress, requiring re-election in 1822; and Class 3 meant their term ended with this Congress, requiring re-election in 1818. Connecticut Federalist Party1. Samuel W. Dana (F) Federalist Party3. David Daggett (F) Delaware Federalist Party1. Outerbridge Horsey (F) Federalist Party2. Nicholas Van Dyke (F) Georgia Democratic-Republican Party2. George Troup (DR), until September 23, 1818 Democratic-Republican PartyJohn Forsyth (DR), November 23, 1818 – February 17, 1819 Democratic-Republican Party3. Charles Tait (DR) Illinois Democratic-Republican Party2. Jesse B. Thomas (DR), from December 3, 1818 (newly admitted state) Democratic-Republican Party3. Ninian Edwards (DR), from December 3, 1818 (newly admitted state) Indiana Democratic-Republican Party1. James Noble (DR) Democratic-Republican Party3. Waller Taylor (DR) Kentucky Democratic-Republican Party2. John J. Crittenden (DR), until March 3, 1819 Democratic-Republican Party3. Isham Talbot (DR) Louisiana Democratic-Republican Party2. William C. C. Claiborne (DR), died November 23, 1817 Democratic-Republican PartyHenry Johnson (DR), from January 12, 1818 Democratic-Republican Party3. Eligius Fromentin (DR) Maryland Federalist Party1. Alexander C. Hanson (F) Federalist Party3. Robert H. Goldsborough (F) Massachusetts Federalist Party1. Eli P. Ashmun (F), until May 10, 1818 Federalist PartyPrentiss Mellen (F), from June 5, 1818 Federalist Party2. Harrison Gray Otis (F) Mississippi Democratic-Republican Party1. Walter Leake (DR), from December 10, 1817 (newly admitted state) Democratic-Republican Party2. Thomas H. Williams (DR), from December 10, 1817 (newly admitted state) New Hampshire Democratic-Republican Party2. David L. Morril (DR) Federalist Party3. Jeremiah Mason (F), until June 16, 1817 Democratic-Republican PartyClement Storer (DR), from June 27, 1817 New Jersey Democratic-Republican Party1. James J. Wilson (DR) Democratic-Republican Party2. Mahlon Dickerson (DR) New York Democratic-Republican Party1. Nathan Sanford (DR) Federalist Party3. Rufus King (F) North Carolina Democratic-Republican Party2. Montfort Stokes (DR) Democratic-Republican Party3. Nathaniel Macon (DR) Ohio Democratic-Republican Party1. Benjamin Ruggles (DR) Democratic-Republican Party3. Jeremiah Morrow (DR) Pennsylvania Democratic-Republican Party1. Jonathan Roberts (DR) Democratic-Republican Party3. Abner Lacock (DR) Rhode Island Federalist Party1. William Hunter (F) Federalist Party2. James Burrill Jr. (F) South Carolina Democratic-Republican Party2. William Smith (DR) Democratic-Republican Party3. John Gaillard (DR) Tennessee Democratic-Republican Party1. George W. Campbell (DR), until April 20, 1818 Democratic-Republican PartyJohn H. Eaton (DR), from September 5, 1818 Democratic-Republican Party2. John Williams (DR) Vermont Federalist Party1. Isaac Tichenor (F) Democratic-Republican Party3. Dudley Chase (DR), until November 3, 1817 Democratic-Republican PartyJames Fisk (DR), November 4, 1817 – January 8, 1818 Democratic-Republican PartyWilliam A. Palmer (DR), from October 20, 1818 Virginia Democratic-Republican Party1. James Barbour (DR) Democratic-Republican Party2. John W. Eppes (DR) thumb|375px|Senators' party membership by state at the opening of the 15th Congress in March 1817. The senators from Illinois and Mississippi were not seated until later in the Congress. #0044aa 2 Democratic-Republicans #660080 1 Democratic-Republican and 1 Federalist #aa0000 2 Federalists House of Representatives List of United States representatives in the 15th Congress The names of representatives are preceded by their district numbers. Connecticut All representatives were elected statewide on a general ticket. Federalist PartyConnecticut AL At-large. Uriel Holmes (F), until 1818 Democratic-Republican PartySylvester Gilbert (DR), from November 16, 1818 Federalist PartyConnecticut AL At-large. Ebenezer Huntington (F) Federalist PartyConnecticut AL At-large. Jonathan O. Moseley (F) Federalist PartyConnecticut AL At-large. Timothy Pitkin (F) Federalist PartyConnecticut AL At-large. Samuel B. Sherwood (F) Federalist PartyConnecticut AL At-large. Nathaniel Terry (F) Federalist PartyConnecticut AL At-large. Thomas S. Williams (F) Delaware Both representatives were elected statewide on a general ticket. Democratic-Republican PartyDelaware AL At-large. Willard Hall (DR) Federalist PartyDelaware AL At-large. Louis McLane (F) Georgia All representatives were elected statewide on a general ticket. Democratic-Republican PartyGeorgia AL At-large. Joel Abbot (DR) Democratic-Republican PartyGeorgia AL At-large. Thomas W. Cobb (DR) Democratic-Republican PartyGeorgia AL At-large. Zadock Cook (DR) Democratic-Republican PartyGeorgia AL At-large. Joel Crawford (DR) Democratic-Republican PartyGeorgia AL At-large. John Forsyth (DR), until November 23, 1818 Democratic-Republican PartyRobert R. Reid (DR), from February 18, 1819 Democratic-Republican PartyGeorgia AL At-large. William Terrell (DR) Illinois Democratic-Republican PartyIllinois AL At-large. John McLean (DR), from December 3, 1818 (newly admitted state) Indiana Democratic-Republican PartyIndiana AL At-large. William Hendricks (DR) Kentucky Democratic-Republican PartyKentucky 1 1. David Trimble (DR) Democratic-Republican PartyKentucky 2 2. Henry Clay (DR) Democratic-Republican PartyKentucky 3 3. Richard Mentor Johnson (DR) Democratic-Republican PartyKentucky 4 4. Joseph Desha (DR) Democratic-Republican PartyKentucky 5 5. Anthony New (DR) Democratic-Republican PartyKentucky 6 6. David Walker (DR) Democratic-Republican PartyKentucky 7 7. George Robertson (DR) Democratic-Republican PartyKentucky 8 8. Richard C. Anderson Jr. (DR) Democratic-Republican PartyKentucky 9 9. Tunstal Quarles (DR) Democratic-Republican PartyKentucky 10 10. Thomas Speed (DR) Louisiana Democratic-Republican PartyLouisiana AL At-large. Thomas B. Robertson (DR), until April 20, 1818 Democratic-Republican PartyThomas Butler (DR), from November 16, 1818 Maryland The 5th district was a plural district with two representatives. Federalist PartyMaryland 1 1. Philip Stuart (F) Federalist PartyMaryland 2 2. John C. Herbert (F) Federalist PartyMaryland 3 3. George Peter (F) Democratic-Republican PartyMaryland 4 4. Samuel Ringgold (DR) Democratic-Republican PartyMaryland 5 5. Peter Little (DR) Democratic-Republican PartyMaryland 5 5. Samuel Smith (DR) Democratic-Republican PartyMaryland 6 6. Philip Reed (DR) Democratic-Republican PartyMaryland 7 7. Thomas Culbreth (DR) Federalist PartyMaryland 8 8. Thomas Bayly (F) Massachusetts Federalist PartyMassachusetts 1 1. Jonathan Mason (F) Democratic-Republican PartyMassachusetts 2 2. Nathaniel Silsbee (DR) Federalist PartyMassachusetts 3 3. Jeremiah Nelson (F) Democratic-Republican PartyMassachusetts 4 4. Timothy Fuller (DR) Federalist PartyMassachusetts 5 5. Elijah H. Mills (F) Federalist PartyMassachusetts 6 6. Samuel C. Allen (F) Democratic-Republican PartyMassachusetts 7 7. Henry Shaw (DR) Democratic-Republican PartyMassachusetts 8 8. Zabdiel Sampson (DR) Democratic-Republican PartyMassachusetts 9 9. Walter Folger Jr. (DR) Democratic-Republican PartyMassachusetts 10 10. Marcus Morton (DR) Federalist PartyMassachusetts 11 11. Benjamin Adams (F) Federalist PartyMassachusetts 12 12. Solomon Strong (F) Federalist PartyMassachusetts 13 13. Nathaniel Ruggles (F) Democratic-Republican PartyMassachusetts 14 14. John Holmes (DR) Federalist PartyMassachusetts 15 15. Ezekiel Whitman (F) Federalist PartyMassachusetts 16 16. Benjamin Orr (F) Federalist PartyMassachusetts 17 17. John Wilson (F) Federalist PartyMassachusetts 18 18. Thomas Rice (F) Democratic-Republican PartyMassachusetts 19 19. Joshua Gage (DR) Democratic-Republican PartyMassachusetts 20 20. Albion K. Parris (DR), until February 3, 1818 Democratic-Republican PartyEnoch Lincoln (DR), from November 4, 1818 Mississippi Democratic-Republican PartyMississippi AL At-large. George Poindexter (DR), from December 10, 1817 New Hampshire All representatives were elected statewide on a general ticket. Democratic-Republican PartyNew Hampshire AL At-large. Josiah Butler (DR) Democratic-Republican PartyNew Hampshire AL At-large. Clifton Clagett (DR) Democratic-Republican PartyNew Hampshire AL At-large. Salma Hale (DR) Democratic-Republican PartyNew Hampshire AL At-large. Arthur Livermore (DR) Democratic-Republican PartyNew Hampshire AL At-large. John F. Parrott (DR) Democratic-Republican PartyNew Hampshire AL At-large. Nathaniel Upham (DR) New Jersey All representatives were elected statewide on a general ticket. Democratic-Republican PartyNew Jersey AL At-large. Ephraim Bateman (DR) Democratic-Republican PartyNew Jersey AL At-large. Benjamin Bennet (DR) Democratic-Republican PartyNew Jersey AL At-large. Joseph Bloomfield (DR) Democratic-Republican PartyNew Jersey AL At-large. Charles Kinsey (DR) Democratic-Republican PartyNew Jersey AL At-large. John Linn (DR) Democratic-Republican PartyNew Jersey AL At-large. Henry Southard (DR) New York There were six plural districts, the 1st, 2nd, 12th, 15th, 20th & 21st, each had two representatives. Democratic-Republican PartyNew York 1 1. Tredwell Scudder (DR) Democratic-Republican PartyNew York 1 1. George Townsend (DR) Democratic-Republican PartyNew York 2 2. William Irving (DR) Democratic-Republican PartyNew York 2 2. Peter H. Wendover (DR) Democratic-Republican PartyNew York 3 3. Caleb Tompkins (DR) Democratic-Republican PartyNew York 4 4. James Tallmadge Jr. (DR), from December 1, 1817 Federalist PartyNew York 5 5. Philip J. Schuyler (F) Democratic-Republican PartyNew York 6 6. James W. Wilkin (DR) Democratic-Republican PartyNew York 7 7. Josiah Hasbrouck (DR) Democratic-Republican PartyNew York 8 8. Dorrance Kirtland (DR) Federalist PartyNew York 9 9. Rensselaer Westerlo (F) Federalist PartyNew York 10 10. John P. Cushman (F) Democratic-Republican PartyNew York 11 11. John W. Taylor (DR) Democratic-Republican PartyNew York 12 12. John Palmer (DR) Democratic-Republican PartyNew York 12 12. John Savage (DR) Democratic-Republican PartyNew York 13 13. Thomas Lawyer (DR) Democratic-Republican PartyNew York 14 14. John Herkimer (DR) Democratic-Republican PartyNew York 15 15. John R. Drake (DR) Democratic-Republican PartyNew York 15 15. Isaac Williams Jr. (DR) Federalist PartyNew York 16 16. Henry R. Storrs (F) Democratic-Republican PartyNew York 17 17. Thomas H. Hubbard (DR) Federalist PartyNew York 18 18. David A. Ogden (F) Democratic-Republican PartyNew York 19 19. James Porter (DR) Democratic-Republican PartyNew York 20 20. Oliver C. Comstock (DR) Democratic-Republican PartyNew York 20 20. Daniel Cruger (DR) Democratic-Republican PartyNew York 21 21. Benjamin Ellicott (DR) Democratic-Republican PartyNew York 21 21. John C. Spencer (DR) North Carolina Democratic-Republican PartyNorth Carolina 1 1. Lemuel Sawyer (DR) Democratic-Republican PartyNorth Carolina 2 2. Joseph H. Bryan (DR) Democratic-Republican PartyNorth Carolina 3 3. Thomas H. Hall (DR) Federalist PartyNorth Carolina 4 4. Jesse Slocumb (F) Democratic-Republican PartyNorth Carolina 5 5. James Owen (DR) Democratic-Republican PartyNorth Carolina 6 6. Weldon N. Edwards (DR) Federalist PartyNorth Carolina 7 7.James Stewart (F), from January 5, 1818 Democratic-Republican PartyNorth Carolina 8 8. James S. Smith (DR) Democratic-Republican PartyNorth Carolina 9 9. Thomas Settle (DR) Democratic-Republican PartyNorth Carolina 10 10. George Mumford (DR), until December 31, 1818 Democratic-Republican PartyCharles Fisher (DR), from February 11, 1819 Democratic-Republican PartyNorth Carolina 11 11. Daniel M. Forney (DR), until 1818 Federalist PartyWilliam Davidson (F), from December 2, 1818 Democratic-Republican PartyNorth Carolina 12 12. Felix Walker (DR) Democratic-Republican PartyNorth Carolina 13 13. Lewis Williams (DR) Ohio Democratic-Republican PartyOhio 1 1. William Henry Harrison (DR) Democratic-Republican PartyOhio 2 2. John W. Campbell (DR) Democratic-Republican PartyOhio 3 3. Levi Barber (DR) Democratic-Republican PartyOhio 4 4. Samuel Herrick (DR) Federalist PartyOhio 5 5. Philemon Beecher (F) Democratic-Republican PartyOhio 6 6. Peter Hitchcock (DR) Pennsylvania There were six plural districts, the 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 6th & 10th had two representatives each, the 1st had four representatives. Democratic-Republican PartyPennsylvania 1 1. William Anderson (DR) Federalist PartyPennsylvania 1 1. Joseph Hopkinson (F) Federalist PartyPennsylvania 1 1. John Sergeant (F) Democratic-Republican PartyPennsylvania 1 1. Adam Seybert (DR) Federalist PartyPennsylvania 2 2. Isaac Darlington (F) Federalist PartyPennsylvania 2 2. Levi Pawling (F) Democratic-Republican PartyPennsylvania 3 3. James M. Wallace (DR) Democratic-Republican PartyPennsylvania 3 3. John Whiteside (DR) Democratic-Republican PartyPennsylvania 4 4. Jacob Spangler (DR), until April 20, 1818 Democratic-Republican PartyJacob Hostetter (DR), from November 16, 1818 Democratic-Republican PartyPennsylvania 5 5. Andrew Boden (DR) Democratic-Republican PartyPennsylvania 5 5. William Maclay (DR) Democratic-Republican PartyPennsylvania 6 6. Samuel D. Ingham (DR), until July 6, 1818 Democratic-Republican PartySamuel Moore (DR), from October 13, 1818 Democratic-Republican PartyPennsylvania 6 6. John Ross (DR), until February 24, 1818 Democratic-Republican PartyThomas J. Rogers (DR), from March 3, 1818 Democratic-Republican PartyPennsylvania 7 7. Joseph Hiester (DR) Democratic-Republican PartyPennsylvania 8 8. Alexander Ogle (DR) Democratic-Republican PartyPennsylvania 9 9. William P. Maclay (DR) Democratic-Republican PartyPennsylvania 10 10. John Murray (DR), from October 14, 1817 Democratic-Republican PartyPennsylvania 10 10. William Wilson (DR) Democratic-Republican PartyPennsylvania 11 11. David Marchand (DR) Democratic-Republican PartyPennsylvania 12 12. Thomas Patterson (DR) Democratic-Republican PartyPennsylvania 13 13. Christian Tarr (DR) Democratic-Republican PartyPennsylvania 14 14. Henry Baldwin (DR) Democratic-Republican PartyPennsylvania 15 15. Robert Moore (DR) Rhode Island Both representatives were elected statewide on a general ticket. Federalist PartyRhode Island AL At-large. John L. Boss Jr. (F) Federalist PartyRhode Island AL At-large. James B. Mason (F) South Carolina Democratic-Republican PartySouth Carolina 1 1. Henry Middleton (DR) Democratic-Republican PartySouth Carolina 2 2. William Lowndes (DR) Democratic-Republican PartySouth Carolina 3 3. James Ervin (DR) Democratic-Republican PartySouth Carolina 4 4. Joseph Bellinger (DR) Democratic-Republican PartySouth Carolina 5 5. Starling Tucker (DR) Democratic-Republican PartySouth Carolina 6 6. John C. Calhoun (DR), until November 3, 1817 Democratic-Republican PartyEldred Simkins (DR), from January 24, 1818 Democratic-Republican PartySouth Carolina 7 7. Elias Earle (DR) Democratic-Republican PartySouth Carolina 8 8. Wilson Nesbitt (DR) Democratic-Republican PartySouth Carolina 9 9. Stephen D. Miller (DR) Tennessee Democratic-Republican PartyTennessee 1 1. John Rhea (DR) Democratic-Republican PartyTennessee 2 2. William G. Blount (DR) Democratic-Republican PartyTennessee 3 3. Francis Jones (DR) Democratic-Republican PartyTennessee 4 4. Samuel Hogg (DR) Democratic-Republican PartyTennessee 5 5. Thomas Claiborne (DR) Democratic-Republican PartyTennessee 6 6. George W. L. Marr (DR) Vermont All representatives were elected statewide on a general ticket. Democratic-Republican PartyVermont AL At-large. Heman Allen (DR), until April 20, 1818; vacant thereafter Democratic-Republican PartyVermont AL At-large. Samuel C. Crafts (DR) Democratic-Republican PartyVermont AL At-large. William Hunter (DR) Democratic-Republican PartyVermont AL At-large. Orsamus C. Merrill (DR) Democratic-Republican PartyVermont AL At-large. Charles Rich (DR) Democratic-Republican PartyVermont AL At-large. Mark Richards (DR) Virginia Federalist PartyVirginia 1 1. James Pindall (F) Federalist PartyVirginia 2 2. Edward Colston (F) Democratic-Republican PartyVirginia 3 3. Henry St. George Tucker (DR) Democratic-Republican PartyVirginia 4 4. William McCoy (DR) Democratic-Republican PartyVirginia 5 5. John Floyd (DR) Democratic-Republican PartyVirginia 6 6. Alexander Smyth (DR) Democratic-Republican PartyVirginia 7 7. Ballard Smith (DR) Federalist PartyVirginia 8 8. Charles F. Mercer (F) Democratic-Republican PartyVirginia 9 9. William Lee Ball (DR) Democratic-Republican PartyVirginia 10 10. George F. Strother (DR) Democratic-Republican PartyVirginia 11 11. Philip P. Barbour (DR) Democratic-Republican PartyVirginia 12 12. Robert S. Garnett (DR) Democratic-Republican PartyVirginia 13 13. Burwell Bassett (DR) Democratic-Republican PartyVirginia 14 14. William A. Burwell (DR) Democratic-Republican PartyVirginia 15 15. William J. Lewis (DR) Democratic-Republican PartyVirginia 16 16. Archibald Austin (DR) Democratic-Republican PartyVirginia 17 17. James Pleasants (DR) Democratic-Republican PartyVirginia 18 18. Thomas M. Nelson (DR) Democratic-Republican PartyVirginia 19 19. Peterson Goodwyn (DR), until February 21, 1818 Democratic-Republican PartyJohn Pegram (DR), from April 21, 1818 Democratic-Republican PartyVirginia 20 20. James Johnson (DR) Democratic-Republican PartyVirginia 21 21. Thomas Newton Jr. (DR) Democratic-Republican PartyVirginia 22 22. Hugh Nelson (DR) Democratic-Republican PartyVirginia 23 23. John Tyler (DR) Non-voting members Alabama Territory AL Alabama Territory. John Crowell, from January 29, 1818 Illinois Territory AL Illinois Territory. Nathaniel Pope, until November 30, 1818, vacant thereafter Mississippi Territory AL Mississippi Territory. Vacant until statehood December 10, 1817 Missouri Territory AL Missouri Territory. John Scott, from August 4, 1817 Changes in membership The count below reflects changes from the beginning of the first session of this Congress. Senate List of special elections to the United States Senate Senate |- | New Hampshire(3) | | Jeremiah Mason (F) | style="font-size:80%" | Resigned June 16, 1817 | | Clement Storer (DR) | Seated June 27, 1817 |- | Vermont(3) | | Dudley Chase (DR) | style="font-size:80%" | Resigned November 3, 1817, to become Chief Justice of the Vermont Supreme Court | | James Fisk (DR) | Seated November 4, 1817 |- | Louisiana(2) | | William C. C. Claiborne (DR) | style="font-size:80%" | Died November 23, 1817 | | Henry Johnson (DR) | Seated January 12, 1818 |- | Mississippi(1) | rowspan=2 | New seats | rowspan=2 style="font-size:80%" | Mississippi was admitted to the Union on December 10, 1817 | | Walter Leake (DR) | rowspan=2 | Installed December 10, 1817 |- | Mississippi(2) | | Thomas H. Williams (DR) |- | Vermont(3) | | James Fisk (DR) | style="font-size:80%" | Resigned January 8, 1818, to become Vermont Collector of Customs.Winner elected October 20, 1818. | | William A. Palmer (DR) | Seated October 20, 1818 |- | Tennessee(1) | | George W. Campbell (DR) | style="font-size:80%" | Resigned April 20, 1818, to become Ambassador to Russia | | John Eaton (DR) | Seated September 5, 1818 |- | Massachusetts(1) | | Eli P. Ashmun (F) | style="font-size:80%" | Resigned May 10, 1818.Winner elected June 5, 1818. | | Prentiss Mellen (F) | Seated June 5, 1818 |- | Georgia(2) | | George Troup (DR) | style="font-size:80%" | Resigned September 23, 1818, to run for Governor of Georgia.Winner elected September 23, 1818. | | John Forsyth (DR) | Seated November 23, 1818 |- | Illinois(2) | rowspan=2 | New seats | rowspan=2 style="font-size:80%" | Illinois was admitted to the Union on December 3, 1818. | | Jesse B. Thomas (DR) | rowspan=2 | Installed December 3, 1818 |- | Illinois(3) | | Ninian Edwards (DR) |- | Georgia(2) | | John Forsyth (DR) | style="font-size:80%" | Resigned February 17, 1819, to become U.S. Minister to Spain.Winner was elected in the next Congress. | colspan=2 rowspan=2 | Not filled until next Congress |- | Kentucky(2) | | John J. Crittenden (DR) | style="font-size:80%" | Resigned March 3, 1819, to return to private practice.Winner was elected in the next Congress. |} House of Representatives List of special elections to the United States House of Representatives House |- | nowrap | New York 4 X | Vacant | Member-elect Henry B. Lee died before this Congress began | | James Tallmadge Jr. (DR) | Seated June 6, 1817 |- | Missouri Territory AL X | Vacant | Seat remained vacant from March 4, 1817, to August 4, 1817 | John Scott | Seated August 4, 1817 |- | Pennsylvania 10 X | Vacant | Member-elect David Scott resigned before this Congress began | | John Murray (DR) | Seated October 14, 1817 |- | North Carolina 7 X | Vacant | Member-elect Alexander McMillan died before this Congress began | | James Stewart (F) | Seated January 5, 1818 |- | South Carolina 6 X | | John C. Calhoun (DR) | Resigned November 3, 1817, after being appointed United States Secretary of War | | Eldred Simkins (DR) | Seated January 24, 1818 |- | Mississippi Territory AL X | rowspan=2 | Vacant | rowspan=2 | Seat remained vacant until Mississippi was admitted to the Union December 10, 1817 | rowspan=2 | George Poindexter (DR) | rowspan=2 | Seated December 10, 1817 |- | Mississippi AL X |- | Connecticut AL X | | Uriel Holmes (F) | Resigned sometime in 1818 | | Sylvester Gilbert (DR) | Seated November 16, 1818 |- | North Carolina 11 X | | Daniel Forney (DR) | Resigned sometime in 1818 | | William Davidson (F) | Seated December 2, 1818 |- | Alabama Territory AL X | Vacant | The first delegate from this new territory was not seated until January 29, 1818. | John Crowell | Seated January 29, 1818 |- | Massachusetts 20 X | | Albion K. Parris (DR | Resigned February 3, 1818 | | Enoch Lincoln (DR) | Seated November 4, 1818 |- | Virginia 19 X | | Peterson Goodwyn (DR) | Died February 21, 1818 | | John Pegram (DR) | Seated April 21, 1818 |- | Pennsylvania 6 X | | John Ross (DR) | Resigned February 24, 1818, to become President Judge of Pennsylvania's 7th Judicial Circuit | | Thomas J. Rogers (DR) | Seated March 3, 1818 |- | Louisiana AL X | | Thomas B. Robertson (DR) | Resigned April 20, 1818 | | Thomas Butler (DR) | Seated November 16, 1818 |- | Pennsylvania 4 X | | Jacob Spangler (DR) | Resigned April 20, 1818 | | Jacob Hostetter (DR) | Seated November 16, 1818 |- | Pennsylvania 6 X | | Samuel D. Ingham (DR) | Resigned July 6, 1818 | | Samuel Moore (DR) | Seated October 13, 1818 |- | Georgia AL X | | John Forsyth (DR) | Resigned November 23, 1818, after being elected to the U.S. Senate | | Robert R. Reid (DR) | Seated February 18, 1819 |- | Illinois Territory AL X | rowspan=2 | Nathaniel Pope | rowspan=2 | Pope's term ended November 30, 1818, and the seat remained vacant until Illinois was admitted to the Union December 3, 1818 | rowspan=2 | John McLean (DR) | rowspan=2 | Seated December 3, 1818 |- | Illinois AL X |- | North Carolina 10 X | | George Mumford (DR) | Died December 31, 1818 | | Charles Fisher (DR) | Seated February 11, 1819 |- | Vermont AL X | | Heman Allen (DR) | resigned April 20, 1818 | Vacant |} Committees Lists of committees and their party leaders. Senate Audit and Control the Contingent Expenses of the Senate (Chairman: Abner Lacock) Claims (Chairman: Jonathan Roberts then Robert Henry Goldsborough) Commerce and Manufactures (Chairman: Nathan Sanford) District of Columbia (Chairman: Robert Henry Goldsborough) Engrossed Bills (Chairman: John J. Crittenden) Finance (Chairman: George W. Campbell then John Wayles Eppes) Foreign Relations (Chairman: James Barbour then Nathaniel Macon) Indian Title to Certain Lands (Select) Judiciary (Chairman: John J. Crittenden then James Burrill Jr.) Military Affairs (Chairman: George M. Troup then John Williams) Militia (Chairman: Clement Storer then Benjamin Ruggles) Mississippi's Admission to the Union (Select) Naval Affairs (Chairman: Charles Tait then Nathan Sanford) Pensions (Chairman: James Noble then Abner Lacock) Post Office and Post Roads (Chairman: James J. Wilson then Montfort Stokes) Public Lands (Chairman: Jeremiah Morrow) Seminole War (Select) Slave Trade (Select) Whole House of Representatives Accounts (Chairman: Peter Little) Alabama's Admission to the Union (Select) Arkansas Territory (Select) Bank of the United States (Select) Claims (Chairman: Lewis Williams) Commerce and Manufactures (Chairman: Thomas Newton Jr.) District of Columbia (Chairman: John C. Herbert) Elections (Chairman: John W. Taylor) Expenditures in the Navy Department (Chairman: James Pleasants) Expenditures in the Post Office Department (Chairman: Samuel D. Ingham) Expenditures in the State Department (Chairman: John Forsyth) Expenditures in the Treasury Department (Chairman: William Lowndes) Expenditures in the War Department (Chairman: Richard M. Johnson) Expenditures on Public Buildings (Chairman: Henry S. Tucker) Judiciary (Chairman: Hugh Nelson) Pensions and Revolutionary War Claims (Chairman: John Rhea) Private Land Claims (Chairman: Samuel Herrick then George Robertson) Post Office and Post Roads (Chairman: Samuel D. Ingham then Arthur Livermore) Public Expenditures (Chairman: Joseph Desha) Public Lands (Chairman: Thomas B. Robertson then George Poindexter) Revisal and Unfinished Business (Chairman: John Savage then John W. Taylor) Rules (Select) Standards of Official Conduct Ways and Means (Chairman: William Lowndes then Samuel Smith) Whole Joint committees Enrolled Bills The Library (Chairman: N/A) Employees Legislative branch agency directors Architect of the Capitol: Benjamin H. Latrobe, resigned November 20, 1817 Charles Bulfinch, appointed January 8, 1818 Librarian of Congress: George Watterston Senate Chaplain: Sereno Edwards Dwight, Congregationalist, until December 9, 1817 William D. Hawley, Episcopalian, elected December 9, 1817 John Clark, Presbyterian, elected November 19, 1818 Secretary: Charles Cutts Sergeant at Arms: Mountjoy Bayly House of Representatives Chaplain: Burgiss Allison (Baptist) Clerk: Thomas Dougherty Doorkeeper: Thomas Claxton Sergeant at Arms: Thomas Dunn See also 1816 United States elections (elections leading to this Congress) 1816 United States presidential election 1816–17 United States Senate elections 1816–17 United States House of Representatives elections 1818 United States elections (elections during this Congress, leading to the next Congress) 1818–19 United States Senate elections 1818–19 United States House of Representatives elections Notes References The Historical Atlas of Political Parties in the United States Congress Martis Kenneth C. 1989 Macmillan Publishing Company New York The Historical Atlas of United States Congressional Districts Martis Kenneth C. 1982 Macmillan Publishing Company New York External links Statutes at Large, 1789–1875 Senate Journal, First Forty-three Sessions of Congress House Journal, First Forty-three Sessions of Congress Biographical Directory of the U.S. Congress U.S. House of Representatives: House History U.S. Senate: Statistics and Lists Message from President Monroe to the first session of the 15th Congress on December 2, 1817 Message from President Monroe to the second session of the 15th Congress on November 17, 1818