14th United States Congress

14th United States Congress
Stilltim at en.wikipedia · Public domain · source
Number	14th
Caption	The U.S. Capitol after the Burning of Washington in 1814.
Start	March 4, 1815
End	March 4, 1817
Vice-president	Elbridge Gerry (DR), (until November 23, 1814), Vacant, (from November 23, 1814)
Pro-tempore	John Gaillard (DR)
Speaker	Henry Clay (DR)
Senators	36
Reps	183
Deptheus-majority	Democratic-Republican
Sessionnumber1	1st
Sessionstart1	December 4, 1815
Sessionend1	April 30, 1816
Sessionnumber2	2nd
Sessionstart2	December 2, 1816
Sessionend2	March 3, 1817

14th United States Congress. The Fourteenth United States Congress convened in the aftermath of the War of 1812, a period marked by a surge in American nationalism and a focus on economic consolidation. Dominated by the Democratic-Republican Party, it was the first Congress to meet in the reconstructed Capitol following its burning by British forces. Key figures included Henry Clay and John C. Calhoun, who championed an ambitious domestic program later termed the American System.

Major legislation

This Congress passed foundational economic measures central to the American System. The Tariff of 1816 was enacted to protect nascent New England manufacturing from foreign competition. It also chartered the Second Bank of the United States to stabilize the nation's currency and credit. Furthermore, it approved the Bonus Bill of 1817 for internal improvements, though it was subsequently vetoed by President James Madison. Other significant acts included laws to maintain a standing United States Army and expand the United States Navy.

Party summary

The Democratic-Republican Party held overwhelming majorities in both chambers, capitalizing on the collapse of the Federalist Party after the Hartford Convention. In the Senate, Democratic-Republicans held 25 seats to the Federalists' 11. The House of Representatives saw a similar lopsided division, with approximately 117 Democratic-Republicans and 65 Federalists. This political landscape facilitated the passage of the party's legislative agenda with minimal organized opposition.

Leadership

Henry Clay of Kentucky resumed his role as Speaker of the House, wielding significant influence over the legislative program. In the Senate, John Gaillard of South Carolina served as President pro tempore. Vice President Elbridge Gerry had died in November 1814, leaving the presidency of the Senate vacant for the entire Congress. Key committee chairs and floor leaders included John C. Calhoun and William H. Crawford.

Members

The Senate roster included notable figures like Rufus King of New York, a leading Federalist, and James Barbour of Virginia. The House was filled with influential members, many from the South and West, such as John Randolph of Roanoke and Daniel Webster, then a Federalist representing New Hampshire. The delegation from Tennessee included future president James K. Polk. This Congress also saw the service of Richard Mentor Johnson of Kentucky.

Major events

The Congress opened in a capital still recovering from the Burning of Washington during the War of 1812. Its sessions were the first held in the newly reconstructed Capitol building, designed by architects Benjamin Henry Latrobe and Charles Bulfinch. The period was marked by the advent of the Era of Good Feelings, characterized by diminished partisan conflict. Significant external events included the ratification of the Treaty of Ghent and the beginning of military actions against the Seminole in Spanish Florida.

Category:1815 establishments in the United States Category:1817 disestablishments in the United States Category:United States Congresses