 Judah Benjamin was sworn in as senator from Louisiana on March 4 , 1853 , at a brief meeting called just prior to President Pierce 's inauguration . These new colleagues included Stephen A. Douglas of Illinois , Robert M. T. Hunter of Virginia , and Sam Houston of Texas . The slavery issue was in a brief remission as much of the country wished to accept the Compromise of 1850 as a final settlement . When the Senate was not in session , Benjamin remained in Washington , D.C. , conducting a lucrative practice including many cases before the Supreme Court , then conveniently located in a room of the Capitol . His law partners in New Orleans took care of his firm 's affairs there . About this time Benjamin sold his interest in Bellechasse , lacking the time to deal with plantation business . 
