to the United States in 1855, where he was elected to the New York Senate, serving from 1856 to 1857. Following his term, Sickles was elected to the United States House of Representatives, and served as a Democratic representative in the 35th and 36th United States Congress. In 1856 the Sickles moved to Washington, D.C., where they became quite involved in political society. Congressman Sickles was very influential and Mrs. Sickles was beautiful and charming. The Sickles hosted formal dinners every Thursday, and Teresa was "at home" (available to callers) to other society ladies every Tuesday morning. With her husband, she attended most of the major social events of the day. Teresa Sickles, Harper's Weekly reported, quickly became a fixture in Washington society. She was especially celebrated as a hostess who was capable of charming the most sophisticated guest and making the most socially inexperienced feel at home. The Sickles were reported as becoming good friends of Mary Todd Lincoln and Republican Abraham Lincoln although the congressman from New York was a Democrat. Teresa attended seances held by Mary Todd Lincoln, who was noted for her interest in spiritualism. It was reported that Mary Todd Lincoln gave a necklace engraved "From Mary Lincoln to Laura Sickles" to Teresa's daughter in 1853, early in the parents' friendship. Affair and murder As in New York, Sickles continued love affairs in Washington and seriously neglected his marriage. Teresa had a romance of her own with Phillip Barton Key, a U.S. District Attorney and son of Francis Scott Key, the author of "The Star-Spangled Banner". Philip's uncle was Roger B. Taney, Chief Justice of the United States, and, in 1857, Philip became one of the pillars of the Washington bar. Key followed Teresa everywhere, to her social gatherings as well as to her home. Dan Sickles eventually received a poison pen letter informing him of his wife's infidelity and investigated further. He discovered the allegations were true, and that Teresa and Key had rented a house for their assignations; it was located within walking distance in a poor, mixed-race part of town. Enraged at his discovery, Sickles confronted his wife. Although she initially denied everything, Teresa eventually wrote a confession. Teresa described her numerous rendezvous with Key at a rented house on 15th Street. A few days later, on Sunday, February 27, 1859, Sickles saw Key outside his house, located on the west side