The 23rd United States Congress was the legislative session of the United States federal government that convened from March 4, 1833, to March 3, 1835, during the seventh and eighth years of President Andrew Jackson’s administration.
Composition and Party Control
- Senate: 52 seats (two senators per state). The Jacksonian (later Democratic) Party held a majority.
- House of Representatives: 240 voting members, reflecting the apportionment from the 1820 census. The Jacksonian Party also held a majority in the House.
Leadership
- President of the Senate: Vice President Martin Van Buren (Jacksonian) served as the presiding officer. In his absence, the President pro tempore was Senator William R. King (Jacksonian).
- Speaker of the House: Andrew Stevenson (Jacksonian) held the position throughout the entire Congress.
Major Legislative Actions
- Tariff of 1833 (also known as the Compromise Tariff): Reduced tariff rates gradually over a ten‑year period, aiming to resolve the Nullification Crisis with South Carolina.
- Force Bill (1833): Authorized the president to use military force to enforce federal tariffs, reinforcing federal authority during the Nullification Crisis.
- Indian Removal Act Implementation: While the original act was passed in 1830, the 23rd Congress oversaw continued implementation, including the signing of treaties and the relocation of Native American tribes.
- Creation of the Public Domain Land Office system: Legislation to improve the administration of public lands and sales.
Notable Events and Context
- The Congress operated amid the escalating dispute over the constitutionality of federal tariffs, culminating in South Carolina’s attempt at nullification.
- It also coincided with ongoing debates over the role of the national bank, internal improvements, and the expansion of slavery into new territories.
Membership Changes
- Several vacancies occurred due to deaths, resignations, and the admission of new members. Special elections were held to fill these seats, maintaining the overall party balance.
Historical Significance
- The actions taken by the 23rd Congress, particularly the Compromise Tariff and the Force Bill, are considered pivotal in affirming federal supremacy over state nullification attempts, thereby shaping the relationship between state and federal authority.
- The period also marked continued enforcement of policies that led to the forced relocation of Native American populations, contributing to the tragic Trail of Tears.
Sources
- Official records of the United States Senate and House of Representatives.
- "The United States Congressional Sessions, 1789‑1999" (Office of the Historian, U.S. House of Representatives).
- Historical analyses of the Nullification Crisis and Jacksonian-era legislation.
