The Twenty-ninth Congress of the United States was in session in Washington, DC. It sat until August 10, 1846. Democrat representative John W. Davis of Indiana was in the Speaker's chair. (By John Osborne)

The Twenty-ninth Congress of the United States opened in Washington, D.C. Of the 228 representatives, Democrats dominated with 142 members, a clear majority. Of the remainder, 79 were Whigs, and six were members of the American Party. Democrat John W. Davis of Indiana was elected Speaker of the House on this first day. (By John Osborne)

Speaker Robert C. Winthrop gavels the 90 day "lame-duck" second session of the House of Representatives to a close, ending the term of the Thirtieth Congress of the United States. (By John Osborne)

The second session of the Thirtieth Congress of the United States was sitting. It served for 90 days and adjourned on March 3, 1849. Whig Robert C. Winthrop of Massachusetts was presiding as Speaker. (By John Osborne)

The second session of the Thirtieth Congress of the United States opened in Washington, D.C. with Speaker Robert C. Winthrop presiding. This "lame duck" session sat for 90 days and adjourned on March 3, 1849. (By John Osborne)

In Washington, Speaker Winthrop brought down the gavel on the first House session of the Thirtieth Congress of the United States. The chamber had been in session for 254 days. It adjourned until the opening of its second session on December 4, 1848. (By John Osborne)

The Thirtieth Congress of the United States is in session in Washington, DC. It will sit until August 14, 1848. Whig representative Robert C. Winthrop of Massachusetts is in the Speaker's chair. (By John Osborne)

The Thirtieth Congress of the United States opens in Washington, D.C. Of the 230 representatives, 116 are Whigs, 110 are Democrats, and two are Independent Democrats. One, Lewis Levin of Pennsylvania, sits for the American Party, and one other, Amos Tuck of New Hampshire, terms himself an Independent. Whig Robert C. Winthrop of Massachusetts is elected Speaker of the House on this first day. (By John Osborne)

Speaker Howell Cobb gavels the 92 day "lame-duck" second session of the House of Representatives to a close, ending the term of the Thirty-first Congress of the United States. (By John Osborne)

The second session of the Thirty-first Congress of the United States is sitting. It will serve for 92 days and adjourn on March 3, 1851. (By John Osborne)