Forty-fourth Congress (1875-77) convened with historic high of eight Blacks. One U.S. senator, Blanche K. Bruce, Mississippi. Seven Black congressmen: Jeremiah Haralson, Alabama; Josiah T. Walls, Florida; John R. Lynch, Mississippi; John A. Hyman, North Carolina; Charles E. Nash, Louisiana; Joseph H. Rainey, Robert Smalls, South Carolina.