CONGRESS, an assembly of envoys, commissioners, deputies, &c. from differ ent courts, who meet to concert measures for their common good, or to adjust their mutual concerns. Having exchanged their credentials, the envoys of the differ ent powers carry on their negotiations directly with each other, or by the inter vention of a mediator, either in a com mon ball, or in their own residences by turns, or, if there is a mediator, in his residence. These negotiations are con tinued either by writing or by verbal communication, until the commissioners can agree upon a treaty, or until one of the powers dissolves the congress by re calling its minister.—Congress of the United States of America. The assem bly of senators and representatives of the several states of North America, forming the legislature of the United States. is designated, in the constitution of the general governineint, by this title. It consists of a senate and a house of repro sontatives, each constituting a distinct and independent branch. The house of representatives is chosen every second year, by the people of the several states; and the voters and electors are required to have the same qualifications as are requisite for choosing the members of the most numerous branch of the state legislature of the state in which they vote. The number of representatives is appointed according to the population of each state, and is altered every ten years, when the census is taken by authority. The manner of apportioning the congres sional re.:wesentation was fixed by an aet passed Slay 23, 1850. After March 3, 1853, the House of Representatives, un less otherwise ordained by congress, is to consist of 233 members. The apportion ment is made by adding to the number of free persons three fifths of the number of slaves : the representative population, thus found, divided by 233, gives the ratio of apportionment; the representative population of each state, divided by this ratio, shows the number of representa tives to which the state is entitled. To
the aggregate thus obtained is added a number sufficient to make up the whole number of 233 members ; this additional number is apportioned among the states having the largest fractions. It is, how ever, provided by the constitution that each state shall he entitled to at least one representative. The senate is composed of two members front each state : the sena tors are chosen for six years by the legis lature of the state. The house of repre sentatives chooses its own speaker : the vice-president of the United States is, ex-officio, president of the senate. Rills for revenue purposes must originate in the house of representatives ; but are liable to the proposal of amendments by the senate. The senate has the sole pow er of trying impeachmen; but can only convict by a majority of two thirds of the members present, and its sentence ex tends only to removal front office and in capacitation for holding it. The regular meeting, of congress is on the first Mon day in December auntutlly. Every hill which paioies the two honses is sent to the president for approval or disapproval; in the latter case. he returns it, with his reasons, to the house in which it origin ated ; if, on reconsideration, it is passed again by :t majerity of two-thirds im each house, it becomes law. The powers I If congress are strietly limited, and sepa rated from those of the various state legislatures, by the constitution.