List of United States federal legislation, 1789–1901

This is a chronological, but incomplete, list of United States federal legislation passed by the 1st through 56th United States Congresses, between 1789 and 1901. For the main article on this subject, see List of United States federal legislation. Additional lists can be found at List of United States federal legislation: Congress of the Confederation, List of United States federal legislation, 1901–2001 and List of United States federal legislation, 2001–present.

1st United States Congress

• June 1, 1789: An act to regulate the time and manner of administering certain oaths, Sess. 1, ch. 1, 1 Stat. 23
• July 4, 1789: Tariff of 1789 (Hamilton Tariff), Sess. 1, ch. 2, 1 Stat. 24[1]
• July 27, 1789: The U.S. Department of State was established, Sess. 1, ch. 4, 1 Stat. 28
• August 7, 1789: The U.S. Department of War was established, Sess. 1, ch. 7, 1 Stat. 49
• August 7, 1789: An Act for the establishment and support of Lighthouses, Beacons, Buoys, and Public Piers, Sess. 1, ch. 9, 1 Stat. 53
• September 2, 1789: The U.S. Department of the Treasury was established, Sess. 1, ch. 12, 1 Stat. 65.[2]
• September 24, 1789: Judiciary Act of 1789, Sess. 1, ch. 20, 1 Stat. 73
• March 1, 1790: Census of 1790, Sess. 2, ch. 2, 1 Stat. 101
• March 26, 1790: Naturalization Act of 1790, Sess. 2, ch. 3, 1 Stat. 103
• April 10, 1790: Patent Act of 1790, Sess. 2, ch. 7, 1 Stat. 109[3]
• April 30, 1790: Crimes Act of 1790, Sess. 2, ch. 9, 1 Stat. 112
• May 26, 1790: Southwest Ordinance, Sess. 2, ch. 14, 1 Stat. 123
• May 31, 1790: Copyright Act of 1790, Sess. 2, ch. 15, 1 Stat. 124
• July 6, 1790: Residence Act, Sess. 2, ch. 28, 1 Stat. 130
• July 22, 1790: Indian Intercourse Act of 1790, Sess. 2, ch. 33, 1 Stat. 137
• August 4, 1790: Funding Act of 1790, Sess. 2, ch. 34, 1 Stat. 138[4]
• February 25, 1791: First Bank of the United States, Sess. 3, ch. 10, 1 Stat. 191[5]
• March 3, 1791: Whiskey Act, Sess. 3, ch. 15, 1 Stat. 199

2nd United States Congress

• February 20, 1792: Postal Service Act, Sess. 1, ch. 7, 1 Stat. 232
• April 2, 1792: Coinage Act of 1792, Sess. 1, ch. 16, 1 Stat. 246
• April 14, 1792: Apportionment Act of 1792, Sess. 1, ch. 23 1 Stat. 253 to
• May 2, 1792: First Militia Act of 1792, Sess. 1, ch. 28, 1 Stat. 264
• May 8, 1792: Second Militia Act of 1792, Sess. 1, ch. 33, 1 Stat. 271
• February 12, 1793: Fugitive Slave Law of 1793, Sess. 2, ch. 7, 1 Stat. 302
• February 18, 1793: An Act for enrolling and licensing ships or vessels to be employed in the coasting trade and fisheries, and for regulating the same, Sess. 2, ch. 8, 1 Stat. 305
• March 2, 1793: Judiciary Act of 1793, Sess. 2, ch. 22, 1 Stat. 333 (including Anti-Injunction Act)

3rd United States Congress

• March 27, 1794: Naval Act of 1794, Sess. 1, ch. 12, 1 Stat. 350
• January 29, 1795: Naturalization Act of 1795, Sess. 2, ch. 20, 1 Stat. 414

4th United States Congress

[data unknown/missing]

5th United States Congress

• April 30, 1798: The U.S. Department of the Navy was established, Sess. 2, ch. 35, 1 Stat. 553
• June 18, 1798: Alien and Sedition Acts: An Act to establish a uniform rule of naturalization (Naturalization Act of 1798), Sess. 2, ch. 54, 1 Stat. 566
• June 25, 1798: Alien and Sedition Acts: An Act concerning Aliens, Sess. 2, ch. 58, 1 Stat. 570
• July 6, 1798: Alien and Sedition Acts: An Act respecting Alien Enemies, Sess. 2, ch. 66, 1 Stat. 577
• July 9, 1798: Act Further to Protect the Commerce of the United States, Sess. 2, ch. 68, 1 Stat. 578
• July 11, 1798: The Marine Corps was established, Sess. 2, ch. 72, 1 Stat. 594
• July 14, 1798: Alien and Sedition Acts: An Act for the punishment of certain crimes against the United States (Sedition Act), Sess. 2, ch. 74, 1 Stat. 596
• July 16, 1798: An Act for the relief of sick and disabled seamen, Sess. 2, ch. 77, 1 Stat. 605

6th United States Congress

• April 4, 1800: Bankruptcy Act of 1800, Sess. 1, ch. 19, 2 Stat. 19
• May 2, 1800: Slave Trade Act of 1800, Sess. 2, ch. 51, 2 Stat. 70
• February 13, 1801: Judiciary Act of 1801, Sess. 2, ch. 4, 2 Stat. 89
• February 27, 1801: District of Columbia Organic Act of 1801, Sess. 2, ch. 15, 2 Stat. 103

7th United States Congress

• March 16, 1802: Military Peace Establishment Act, Sess. 1, ch. 9, 2 Stat. 132
• April 29, 1802: Judiciary Act of 1802, Sess. 1, ch. 31, 2 Stat. 156
• April 30, 1802: Enabling Act of 1802, Sess. 1, ch. 40, 2 Stat. 173

8th United States Congress

[data unknown/missing]

9th United States Congress

• March 29, 1806: Cumberland Road, Sess. 1, ch. 19, 2 Stat. 357
• February 24, 1807: Seventh Circuit Act, 2 Stat. 420
• March 2, 1807: Slave Trade Prohibition Act, Sess. 2, ch. 22, 2 Stat. 426
• March 3, 1807: Insurrection Act of 1807, Sess. 2, ch. 39, 2 Stat. 443

10th United States Congress

• December 22, 1807: Embargo Act of 1807, Sess. 1, ch. 5, 2 Stat. 451
• March 1, 1809: Non-Intercourse Act (1809), Sess. 2, ch. 24, 2 Stat. 528

11th United States Congress

• May 1, 1810: Macon's Bill Number 2, Sess. 2, ch. 39, 2 Stat. 605

12th United States Congress

[data unknown/missing]

13th United States Congress

[data unknown/missing]

14th United States Congress

• April 10, 1816: Second Bank of the United States, Sess. 1, ch. 94, 3 Stat. 266
• April 27, 1816: Dallas tariff, Sess. 1, ch. 107, 3 Stat. 310

15th United States Congress

• April 4, 1818: Flag Act of 1818, Sess. 1, ch. 34, 3 Stat. 415
• April 18, 1818: Navigation Act of 1818, Sess. 1, ch. 70, 3 Stat. 432

16th United States Congress

• March 6, 1820: Missouri Compromise, Sess. 1, ch. 22, 3 Stat. 545
• April 24, 1820: Land Act of 1820, Sess. 1, ch. 51, 3 Stat. 566

17th United States Congress

[data unknown/missing]

18th United States Congress

• January 7, 1824: Tariff of 1824, Sess. 1, ch. 4, 4 Stat. 2
• March 3, 1825: Crimes Act of 1825, Sess. 2, ch. 65, 4 Stat. 115

19th United States Congress

[data unknown/missing]

20th United States Congress

• May 24, 1828: Tariff of Abominations, Sess. 1, ch. 111, 4 Stat. 308

21st United States Congress

• May 28, 1830: Indian Removal Act, Sess. 1, ch. 148, 4 Stat. 411

22nd United States Congress

• July 14, 1832: Tariff of 1832, Sess. 1, ch. 227, 4 Stat. 583
• March 2, 1833: Compromise Tariff (Tariff of 1833), Sess. 2, ch. 55, 4 Stat. 629
• March 2, 1833: Force Bill, Sess. 2, ch. 57, 4 Stat. 632

23rd United States Congress

• June 28, 1834: Coinage Act of 1834, Sess. 1, ch. 95, 4 Stat. 699
• June 30, 1834: An Act to Regulate Trade and Intercourse With the Indian Tribes, Sess. 1, ch. 161, 4 Stat. 729

24th United States Congress

• July 4, 1836: Patent Act of 1836, Sess. 1, ch. 357, 5 Stat. 117 [data unknown/missing]

25th United States Congress

[data unknown/missing]

26th United States Congress

[data unknown/missing]

27th United States Congress

• August 19, 1841: Bankruptcy Act of 1841, Sess. 1, ch. 9, 5 Stat. 440
• September 4, 1841: Preemption Act of 1841, Sess. 1, ch. 16, 5 Stat. 453
• August 4, 1842: Armed Occupation Act, Sess. 2, ch. 122, 5 Stat. 502
• August 30, 1842: Tariff of 1842 ("Black Tariff"), Sess. 2, ch. 270, 5 Stat. 548

28th United States Congress

• January 23, 1845: Presidential Election Day Act, Sess. 2, ch. 1, 5 Stat. 721
• March 3, 1845: An act relating to revenue cutters and steamers, Sess. 2, ch. 78, 5 Stat. 795 (the first time Congress overrode a Presidential veto)

29th United States Congress

• July 9, 1846: District of Columbia retrocession, Sess. 1, ch. 35, 9 Stat. 35
• July 30, 1846: Walker tariff, Sess. 1, ch. 74, 9 Stat. 42
• August 6, 1846: Independent Treasury Act of 1846, Sess. 1, ch. 90, 9 Stat. 59

30th United States Congress

• March 3, 1849: Department of the Interior Act, Sess. 2, ch. 108, 9 Stat. 395
• March 3, 1849: Coinage Act of 1849, Sess. 2, ch. 109, 9 Stat. 397

31st United States Congress

• September 9, 1850: Compromise of 1850, Sess. 1, ch. 49, 9 Stat. 446
• September 18, 1850: Fugitive Slave Act, Sess. 1, ch. 60, 9 Stat. 462
• September 27, 1850: Donation Land Claim Act, Sess. 1, ch. 76, 9 Stat. 496
• March 3, 1851: California Land Act of 1851, Sess. 2, ch. 41, 9 Stat. 631
• March 3, 1851: Limitation of Liability Act of 1851, Sess. 2, ch. 43, 9 Stat. 635

32nd United States Congress

• February 21, 1853: Coinage Act of 1853, Sess. 2, ch. 79, 10 Stat. 160
• March 2, 1853: An act providing for administering the oath of office to William R. King, Vice President elect of the United States of America. Sess. 2, ch. 93, 10 Stat. 180

33rd United States Congress

• May 30, 1854: Kansas–Nebraska Act, Sess. 1, ch. 59, 10 Stat. 277

34th United States Congress

• August 18, 1856: Guano Islands Act, Sess. 1, ch. 164, 11 Stat. 119
• February 21, 1857: Coinage Act of 1857, Sess. 3, ch. 56, 11 Stat. 163

35th United States Congress

[data unknown/missing]

36th United States Congress

• June 16, 1860: Pacific Telegraph Act of 1860, Sess. 1, ch. 137, 12 Stat. 41
• March 2, 1861: Morrill Tariff, Sess. 2, ch. 68, 12 Stat. 178

37th United States Congress

• August 5, 1861: Revenue Act of 1861, Sess. 1, ch. 45, 12 Stat. 292
• August 6, 1861: Confiscation Act of 1861, Sess. 1, ch. 60, 12 Stat. 319
• February 25, 1862: Legal Tender Act of 1862, Sess. 2, ch. 33, 12 Stat. 345
• April 16, 1862: An Act for the Release of certain Persons held to Service or Labor within the District of Columbia, Sess. 2, ch. 54, 12 Stat. 376
• May 15, 1862: Department of Agriculture Act, Sess. 2, ch. 72, 12 Stat. 387
• May 20, 1862: Homestead Act of 1862, Sess. 2, ch. 75, 12 Stat. 392
• June 19, 1862: An Act to secure Freedom to all persons within the Territories of the United States, Sess. 2, ch. 111, 12 Stat. 432
• July 1, 1862: Revenue Act of 1862, Sess. 2, ch. 119, 12 Stat. 432
• July 1, 1862: Pacific Railway Act, Sess. 2, ch. 120, 12 Stat. 489
• July 1, 1862: Morrill Anti-Bigamy Act, Sess. 2, ch. 126, 12 Stat. 501
• July 2, 1862: Morrill Act of 1862, Sess. 2, ch. 130, 12 Stat. 503
• July 17, 1862: Militia Act of 1862, Sess. 2, ch. 201, 12 Stat. 597
• February 25, 1863: National Bank Act of 1863, Sess. 3, ch. 58, 12 Stat. 665
• March 2, 1863: False Claims Act, Sess. 3, ch. 67, 12 Stat. 696
• March 3, 1863: Enrollment Act, Sess. 3, ch. 75, 12 Stat. 731
• March 3, 1863: Habeas Corpus Suspension Act, Sess. 3, ch. 81, 12 Stat. 755
• March 3, 1863: Tenth Circuit Act, 12 Stat. 794

38th United States Congress

• April 22, 1864: Coinage Act of 1864, Sess. 1, ch. 66, 13 Stat. 54
• March 3, 1865: Freedmen's Bureau, Sess. 2, ch. 90, 13 Stat. 507

39th United States Congress

• April 9, 1866: Civil Rights Act of 1866, Sess. 1, ch. 31, 14 Stat. 27
• April 12, 1866: Contraction Act of 1866, Sess. 1, ch. 39, 14 Stat. 31
• July 23, 1866: Judicial Circuits Act, Sess. 1, ch. 210, 14 Stat. 209
• March 2, 1867: Reconstruction Act, Sess. 2, ch. 153, 14 Stat. 428
• March 2, 1867: Tenure of Office Act, Sess. 2, ch. 154, 14 Stat. 430

40th United States Congress

• Reconstruction Acts, continued:
  • March 23, 1867, Sess. 1, ch. 6, 15 Stat. 2
  • July 19, 1867, Sess. 1, ch. 30, 15 Stat. 14
  • March 11, 1868, Sess. 2, ch. 25, 15 Stat. 41
• July 27, 1868: Expatriation Act of 1868, Sess. 2, ch. 249, 15 Stat. 223

41st United States Congress

• March 18, 1869: Public Credit Act of 1869, Sess. 1, ch. 1, 16 Stat. 1
• April 10, 1869: Judiciary Act of 1869 (Circuit Judges Act of 1869), Sess. 1, ch. 22, 16 Stat. 44
• May 31, 1870: Enforcement Act of 1870 (Civil Rights Act of 1870), Sess. 2, ch. 114, 16 Stat. 140
• June 22, 1870: Department of Justice Act, Sess. 2, ch. 150, 16 Stat. 162
• July 12, 1870: Currency Act of 1870, Sess. 2, ch. 252, 16 Stat. 251
• July 14, 1870: Naturalization Act of 1870, Sess. 2, ch. 254, 16 Stat. 254
• February 21, 1871: District of Columbia Organic Act of 1871, Sess. 3, ch. 62, 16 Stat. 419

42nd United States Congress

• April 20, 1871: Third Enforcement Act (Civil Rights Act of 1871, Ku Klux Klan Act), Sess. 1, ch. 22, 17 Stat. 13
• March 1, 1872: Yellowstone Act, Sess. 2, ch. 24, 17 Stat. 32
• May 10, 1872: General Mining Act of 1872, Sess. 2, ch. 152, 17 Stat. 91
• May 22, 1872: Amnesty Act, Sess. 2, ch. 193, 17 Stat. 142
• June 1, 1872: Practice Conformity Act (precursor to the Rules Enabling Act), Sess. 2, ch. 255, 17 Stat. 196
• June 8, 1872: Post Office Act (1872), Sess. 2, ch. 335, 17 Stat. 283
• February 12, 1873: Coinage Act of 1873, Sess. 3, ch. 131, 17 Stat. 424
• March 3, 1873: Comstock Act, Sess. 3, ch. 258, 17 Stat. 598
• March 3, 1873: Timber Culture Act, Sess. 3, ch. 277, 17 Stat. 205

43rd United States Congress

• June 23, 1874: Poland Act, Sess. 1, ch. 469, 18 Stat. 253
• January 14, 1875: Specie Payment Resumption Act, Sess. 2, ch. 15, 18 Stat. 296
• March 1, 1875: Civil Rights Act of 1875, Sess. 2, ch. 114, 18 Stat. 335
• March 3, 1875: Page Act of 1875, Sess. 2, ch. 141, 18 Stat. 477

44th United States Congress

• March 3, 1877: Desert Land Act

45th United States Congress

• February 28, 1878: Bland–Allison Act (Coinage Act (Silver Dollar)), Sess. 2, ch. 20, 20 Stat. 25
• April 29, 1878: National Quarantine Act, Sess. 2, ch. 66, 20 Stat. 37
• June 3, 1878: Timber and Stone Act, Sess. 2, ch. 151, 20 Stat. 89
• June 18, 1878: Posse Comitatus Act, Sess. 2, ch. 263, §15, 20 Stat. 152

46th United States Congress

• February 26, 1879: To Promote a Knowledge of Steam Engineering and Iron Shipbuilding Act, Sess. 3, ch. 105, 20 Stat. 322

47th United States Congress

• February 25, 1882: Apportionment of the Tenth Census, Sess. 1, ch. 20, 22 Stat. 5
• May 6, 1882: Chinese Exclusion Act, Sess. 1, ch. 126, 22 Stat. 58
• August 2, 1882: River and Harbors Act of 1882
• January 16, 1883: Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act, Sess. 2, ch. 27, 22 Stat. 403
• March 3, 1883: Tariff of 1883 (Mongrel Tariff), Sess. 2, ch. 121, 22 Stat. 488

48th United States Congress

[data unknown/missing]

49th United States Congress

• January 19, 1886: Presidential Succession Act of 1886, Sess. 1, ch. 4, 24 Stat. 1
• February 3, 1887: Electoral Count Act, Sess. 2, ch. 90, 24 Stat. 373
• February 4, 1887: Interstate Commerce Act of 1887, Sess. 2, ch. 104, 24 Stat. 379
• February 8, 1887: Dawes Act (Indian General Allotment Act), Sess. 2, ch. 119, 24 Stat. 388
• March 2, 1887: Agricultural Experiment Stations Act of 1887, Sess. 2, ch. 314, 24 Stat. 440
• March 2, 1887: Hatch Act of 1887, Sess. 2, ch. 314, 24 Stat. 440
• March 3, 1887: Tucker Act, Sess. 2, ch. 359, 24 Stat. 505
• March 3, 1887: Edmunds–Tucker Act, Sess. 2, ch. 397, 24 Stat. 635

50th United States Congress

• February 22, 1889: Enabling Act of 1889, Sess. 2, ch. 180, 25 Stat. 676

51st United States Congress

• June 27, 1890: Dependent and Disability Pension Act, Sess. 1, ch. 634, 26 Stat. 182
• July 2, 1890: Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890, Sess. 1, ch. 647, 26 Stat. 209
• July 14, 1890: Sherman Silver Purchase Act, Sess. 1, ch. 708, 26 Stat. 289
• August 30, 1890: Morrill Act of 1890, Sess. 1, ch. 841, 26 Stat. 417
• October 1, 1890: McKinley Tariff, Sess. 1, ch. 1244, 26 Stat. 567
• March 3, 1891: Judiciary Act of 1891 (Evarts Act), Sess. 2, ch. 517, 26 Stat. 826
• March 3, 1891: Immigration Act of 1891, Sess. 2, ch. 551, 26 Stat. 1084
• March 3, 1891: Land Revision Act of 1891, Sess. 2, ch. 561, 26 Stat. 1095
• March 3, 1891: Forest Reserve Act of 1891, Sess. 2, ch. 561, 26 Stat. 1095
• March 3, 1891: Merchant Marine Act of 1891

52nd United States Congress

• May 5, 1892: Geary Act, Sess. 1, ch. 60, 27 Stat. 25 (amended the Chinese Exclusion Act)
• February 13, 1893: Harter Act (Carriage of Goods by Sea), Sess. 2, ch. 105, 27 Stat. 445

53rd United States Congress

• August 27, 1894: Wilson–Gorman Tariff Act, Sess. 2, ch. 349, §73, 28 Stat. 509
• January 12, 1895: Printing Act of 1895 (An Act Providing for the Public Printing and Binding and the Distribution of Public Documents), Sess. 3, ch. 23, 28 Stat. 601
• February 18, 1895: Maguire Act of 1895, Sess. 3, ch. 97, 28 Stat. 667

54th United States Congress

• May 21, 1896: Oil Pipe Line Act, 29 Stat. 127 (43 U.S.C. § 962 et seq.)
• May 22, 1896: Condemned Cannon Act, 29 Stat. 133
• May 28, 1896: United States Commissioners Act, 29 Stat. 184
• June 1, 1896: Married Women's Rights Act (District of Columbia), 29 Stat. 193
• June 6, 1896: Filled Cheese Act, 29 Stat. 253
• January 13, 1897: Stock Reservoir Act, 29 Stat. 484, (43 U.S.C. § 952 et seq.)
• March 2, 1897: Tea Importation Act, 29 Stat. 604, (21 U.S.C. § 41 et seq.)

55th United States Congress

• July 24, 1897: Dingley Act, Sess. 1, ch. 11, 30 Stat. 151
• April 20, 1898: Teller Amendment (Cuba), Sess. 2, Joint Res. 24, 30 Stat. 738
• April 25, 1898: Declaration of war on Spain (Spanish–American War), Sess. 2, ch. 189, 30 Stat. 364
• June 1, 1898: Erdman Act, Sess. 2, ch. 370, 30 Stat. 424
• June 13, 1898: War Revenue Act of 1898, Sess. 2, ch. 448, 30 Stat. 448
• June 28, 1898: Curtis Act of 1898, Sess. 2, ch. 517, 30 Stat. 495
• July 1, 1898: Bankruptcy Act of 1898 (Henderson-Nelson Act), Sess. 2, ch. 541, 30 Stat. 544
• July 7, 1898: Newlands Resolution, Sess. 2, Joint Res. 55, 30 Stat. 750
• March 3, 1899: Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899, Sess. 3, ch. 425, 30 Stat. 1121

56th United States Congress

• March 14, 1900: Gold Standard Act, Sess. 1, ch. 41, 31 Stat. 45
• April 2, 1900: Foraker Act, Sess. 1, ch. 191, 31 Stat. 77 (Puerto Rico Civil Code)
• April 30, 1900: Hawaiian Organic Act, Sess. 1, ch. 339, 31 Stat. 141

References

1. "Tariff of 1789 (Hamilton Tariff) | Fraser | St. Louis Fed". fraser.stlouisfed.org. Retrieved 2018-09-13.
2. "An Act to Establish the Treasury Department | Fraser | St. Louis Fed". fraser.stlouisfed.org. Retrieved 2018-09-13.
3. "Patent Act of 1790 | Fraser | St. Louis Fed". fraser.stlouisfed.org. Retrieved 2018-09-13.
4. "Funding Act of 1790 | Fraser | St. Louis Fed". fraser.stlouisfed.org. Retrieved 2018-09-13.
5. "An Act to Incorporate the Subscribers to the Bank of the United States (1791) | Fraser | St. Louis Fed". fraser.stlouisfed.org. Retrieved 2018-09-13.