The 31st 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, 1849, to March 4, 1851, during the 16 months of the Zachary Taylor presidency and the first eight months of the administration of Millard Fillmore's. The apportionment of seats in this House of Representatives was based on the 1840 United States census. The Senate had a Democratic majority, while there was a Democratic plurality in the House. Major events March 4, 1849: Zachary Taylor became President of the United States June, 1849: Relations with France broke down as the French ambassador Guillaume-Tell de La Vallée Poussin engaged in "insulting and confrontational" behavior towards President Taylor, shortly after this a row erupted with France over reparations which France owed the United States. The president of France, Napoleon III, made this worse by making remarks that led to several members of Congress openly condemning him. December 3–22, 1849: The election for the House speakership takes 63 ballots. March 7, 1850: Senator Daniel Webster gave his "Seventh of March" speech in which he endorsed the Compromise of 1850 to prevent a possible civil war May 22, 1850: Senate votes 42-11 in favor of ratifying the Clayton–Bulwer Treaty after the motion to do so was put forth by William R. King of Alabama. The results of the vote were celebrated in Britain. July 9, 1850: President Taylor died and Vice President Millard Fillmore became President. Major legislation September 9, 1850: Compromise of 1850, sess. 1, chs. 48-51, - September 18, 1850: Fugitive Slave Act, sess. 1, ch. 60, September 20, 1850: "An Act to suppress the Slave Trade in the District of Columbia," sess. 1, ch. 63, September 29, 1850: Donation Land Claim Act, sess. 1, ch. 76, States admitted and territories organized September 9, 1850 — As part of the Compromise of 1850: Texas's borders were changed, ch. 49, New Mexico Territory was organized, ch. 49, California was admitted as a state, ch. 50, Utah Territory was organized, ch. 51, Party summary Senate During this Congress, two Senate seats were added for the new state of California. House of Representatives During this Congress, two House seats were added for the new state of California. Leadership Senate President: Millard Fillmore (W), until July 9, 1850;