CONGRESS, an assembly either of sovereign princes, or of the delegated representa tives of sovereign states, for the purpose of considering matters of international interest. Even in America, though the term has now a different meaning (see txrrED STATES), it had a similar origin, the first C. being that of the delegates from the various British colonies, who met on the 7th Oct., 1765, for the purpose of considering their grievances. In like manner, in Belgium, on the 4th Oct., 1830, a C. of deputies from the different provinces was held for the purpose of adjusting the new constitution. Previous to signing a treaty of peace, a meeting of plenipotentiaries usually takes place, to which the name of a C. is sometimes applied, though it seems more properly to be reserved for those more important meetings at which extensive schemes of future policy are deter mined on, and the balance of power amongst the various European states readjusted.
To this class belonged the famous C. of Vienna in 1815; the C. of Carlsbad in 1819, for regulating the affairs of Germany; the Paris C. at the termination of the Russian war of 1854-56; the memorable C. at Berlin after the Russo-Turkish war of 1877-78; and many others. As the envoys to a C. are not sent to one sovereign in particular, a modification of the ceremonial recognized by the law of nations for the recognition of ambassadors takes place. There is no presentation of credentials, but in place of it an exchange of the full powers or warrants of the respective members. If a mediator has been appointed, it is to him that the letters of credence, and notes and counter-notes, are addressed, and by him that the negotiations are directed. There is scarcely any difference between a C. and a diplomatic conference—such, for example, as that of London in 1826, for deter mining the fate of Greece.