The United States Senate, A.D. 1850

This engraving depicts the Golden Age of the United States Senate in the Old Senate Chamber, site of many of the institution's most memorable events. Here, Henry Clay, "the Great Compromiser," introduces the Compromise of 1850 in his last significant act as a senator. In a desperate attempt to prevent war from erupting, the "Great Triumvirate," of Daniel Webster of Massachusetts, John C. Calhoun of South Carolina, and Clay of Kentucky struggled to balance the interests of the North, South, and West. This image shows all three men, with Clay at center stage, presenting his compromise to the Senate. Daniel Webster is seated to the left of Clay and John C. Calhoun to the left of the chair of the presiding officer, Vice President Millard Fillmore.