ilton, and Samuel Adams dimmed the brilliancy of the first Congress, but probably lessened little its capacity for effective service. It contained many men of talent, character, and wide legislative experience. Fisher Ames said of the House soon after entering it: "There are few shining geniuses, there are many who have experience, the virtues of the heart, and the habits of business."[1] He thought the Senate a "very respectable body."
Rarely, if ever, has congress been composed of men who were possessed with so large and varied experience in legislation and the construction of constitutions. Remembering that 26 senators and 65 representatives were elected to the first Congress, 13 senators and 9 representatives had been members of the Federal Convention.[2] The relatively low number of representatives is significant in its showing that membership in the "immortal convention" was no especial recommendation to "the people." There were 18 senators and 36 representatives who had been in the Continental Congress. Twenty-one senators had experience in one or the other, or both of these federal bodies. There were 18 senators and 39 representatives who had served in State legislatures. As many as 25 senators and 52 representatives had been members of either Federal Convention, the Continental Congress, or a State legislature. In addition to seeing service in these bodies, many members had taken part in State constitutional conventions.
The first Congress makes a very favorable showing in the
