Extra Sessions of Congress. The Constitution, Art. II. Sec. 3, provides the President "may, on extraordinary occasions, convene both Houses, or either of them." The Senate has often been called in Special Session to transact executive business, but the House of Representatives has never been called alone. It is now the custom for a President, a few days before he retires from office, to issue a proclamation calling the Senate together immediately following the inauguration of his successor. This gives the Senate an opportunity to elect a President pro tempore, and the incoming President an opportunity to nominate his Cabinet and other officers. CONGRESS 1, SESSION 1. Called for March 4, 1789; did not assemble until April 6, 1789. The object was to count the electoral votes. CONGRESS 5, SESSION 1. Called by President John Adams, March 25, 1797; convened May 15, 1797. Owing to suspension of diplomatic intercourse with France, on the pretext, on the part of the French Directory, that the Jay treaty was a violation on the part of the United States of a solemn compact in relation to the French West India possessions. Charles C. Pinckney, Minister to France, had been expelled by the Directory, which issued further orders for depredation on American commerce. President Adams's recommendations approved. Session closed July 10, previously fixing November 13, time of meeting of second session. CONGRESS 8, SESSION 1. Called by President Jefferson; convened October 17, 1803. Incident to the secret cession of Louisiana by the King of Spain to France, the Intendant of Louisiana being instructed to make the formal delivery precisely as it was held by France when ceded to Spain. In the execution of this mandate the Intendant proclaimed that New Orleans was closed as a place of deposit for merchandise, foreign commerce being forbidden that port unless carried on by Spanish subjects in Spanish bottoms. The President authorized to take possession of Louisiana under the French Treaty concluded at Paris in April, and an act passed "erecting Louisiana into two Territories, and providing for the temporary government thereof." CONGRESS 10, SESSION 1. Called by President Jefferson; convened October 26, 1807. The attack upon the Chesapeake by the Leopard, and the seizure of alleged deserters from the British navy under the "right of search" claimed by Great Britain. Also unsettled differences with Spain. CONGRESS 11, SESSION 1. Called by President Madison; convened May 22, 1809, on account of difficulties with England. CONGRESS 12, SESSION 1. Called by President Madison; convened November 4, 1811. To consider questions growing out of foreign affairs, particularly those resulting from the British Orders in Council, and the French Edicts, which seriously affected commerce. The affair of the Little Belt deemed likely to lead to war. The President urged upon Congress"the duty of putting the United States into an armor and attitude demanded by the crisis, and corresponding with the national spirit and expectations." The session terminated July 6, 1812, the second session fixed for November 2, 1812, and the first session of the Thirteenth Congress for May 24, 1813. CONGRESS 13, SESSION 3. Called by proclamation of President Madison, August 8; convened September 19, 1814. In order to provide for Treasury deficiencies, and consider negotiations then on foot with Great Britain to decide "whether it should require arrangements adapted to a return of peace, or order the more effective provisions for the prosecuting of war." CONGRESS 25, SESSION 1. Called by President Van Buren; convened September 4, 1837. The general and almost simultaneous suspension of specie payments in the month of May, 1837, and the deficit in the Treasury. CONGRESS 27, SESSION 1. Called by President Harrison, March 17, 1841; convened May 31, 1841. "Sundry and important and weighty matters principally growing out of the condition of the revenue and finances of the country," the proclamation stated. CONGRESS 34, SESSION 2. Called by President Pierce; convened August 21, 1856. To make provision for the army for the ensuing fiscal year. At the first session the House and Senate could not agree on the Army Bill, and the hour for adjournment fixed upon having arrived, the Speaker's hammer fell, announcing the termination of the session (August 18, 1856), leaving the Army Bill unpassed. Immediately upon adjournment President Pierce called this extra ses sion. CONGRESS 37, SESSION 1. Called by proclamation of President Lincoln, April 15, 1861; convened July 4, 1861. Declaring the laws of the Republic were opposed in South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas, "by combinations too powerful to be suppressed by the ordinary course of judicial proceedings, or by the powers vested in the marshals of law." Congress was asked to consider and determine such measures as in their wisdom they thought fit and public safety might seem to demand. Session closed August 6, 1861, both branches being in full accord with the Administration in respect to the policy to be pursued toward the seceding States. CONGRESS 40, SESSION 1. Extra sessions (of three) by adjournment to keep a check upon the Southern policy of President Johnson. Provision had been made for the meeting of this Congress and all succeeding Congresses immediately after the adjournment of the preceding Congress (see page 135), to prevent the organization of any pseudoCongress by Northern Democrats and other Southern claimants of admission. CONGRESS 41, SESSION 1. Extra session, as per proviso noted above in extra sessions of Fortieth Congress. |