8th United States Congress

The 8th United States Congress was a meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, consisting of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives. It met in Washington, D.C. from March 4, 1803, to March 4, 1805, during the last two years of Thomas Jefferson's first term in office. The apportionment of seats in the House of Representatives was based on the 1800 United States census. Both chambers had a Democratic-Republican majority. Major events April 30, 1803: Louisiana Purchase was made by the United States from France February 16, 1804: In the First Barbary War, Stephen Decatur led a raid to burn the pirate-held frigate Philadelphia May 14, 1804: Lewis and Clark Expedition departed from Camp Dubois to begin their historic journey by traveling up the Missouri River July 11, 1804: Aaron Burr killed Alexander Hamilton November 30, 1804: Impeachment trial of Supreme Court Justice Samuel Chase December 3, 1804: 1804 United States presidential election: Incumbent Thomas Jefferson (DR) beat challenger Charles Cotesworth Pinckney (F) March 1, 1805: Samuel Chase acquitted of impeachment charges by the U.S. Senate Major legislation