Jan 27

Jan 27 40 Years of Voting 'No' - Nathaniel Macon Slows Down The Government

Nathaniel Macon served in the US Congress for the better part of four decades, always trying to keep things small.

Nathaniel Macon

Nathaniel Macon grew up in a privileged family close to the North Carolina frontier.

As a young man, he joined his close friend Benjamin Hawkins in the College of New Jersey, though their studies were interrupted by the Revolutionary War.

Macon joined the fight briefly before spending several years apprenticed to a lawyer.

After being licensed to practice, Nathaniel rejoined the fight. He served as a private, which is notable because most men in his position were able to receive officer commissions.

Revolutionary War

Almost as soon as the Revolutionary War concluded, Macon was elected to the North Carolina State Senate.

He became a strong opponent of the US Constitution but when it was ratified he was elected to the second session of the House of Representatives.

During this time he served as the fifth Speaker of the House.

40 Years of Service

Nathaniel spent 24 years in the House before being chosen as a Senator.

When including the 12 years he spent as a Senator, Macon spent 36 years in the United States Government.

This includes being involved in every administration from George Washington to John Quincy Adams.

Tertium Quid

Macon became the leader of the extreme conservative wing of the Democratic-Republican Party, the Tertium Quids.

He became known for voting ‘no’ on almost every piece of legislation that was considered in an effort to keep the Federal Government as small and powerless as possible.

Despite his anti-government stance, Nathaniel was extremely popular. Although he turned down a request to run for President, Macon still received 24 electoral votes in the Election of 1824 for Vice President.

Here are some other FOUNDERS FROM NORTH CAROLINA:

North Carolina’s First Governor - Richard Caswell

Richard Dobbs Spaight Overcomes Defeat

Breadfruit Seeds From Jefferson - Allen Jones and the Halifax District Brigade

Like most of my brief biographies, there is a whole lot about Nathaniel Macon’s interesting life that I left out.

Grab a copy of ‘Life of Nathaniel Macon’ for all the juicy details.

If you’d like a copy you can get one through the Amazon affiliate link below (you’ll support this site, but don’t worry, Amazon pays me while your price stays the same).