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MACON, NATHANIEL (1757–1837)

Nathaniel Macon, a North Carolina planter, opposed RATIFICATION OF THE CONSTITUTION because he thought the new government too powerful. Joining THOMAS JEFFERSON'S Republican party, Macon was elected to Congress in 1791; with his party he opposed ALEXANDER HAMILTON'S economic policies and the ALIEN AND SEDITION ACTS. As speaker (1801–1807), Macon, with his deputy, JOHN RANDOLPH, firmly guided the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES along administration lines. Although he briefly broke with Jefferson (1807–1809), he supported the unpopular EMBARGO ACTS. In the House (1791–1815) and later in the SENATE (1815–1826), Macon was a spokesman for STRICT CONSTRUCTION, and individual liberty.