Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1828-01-12

A@s 49, ksSs - ss.ssvslb ssynssh NJ own psessisy
lsssrssu. ssd 10 nsls,.ia The ssdnSy epsrstioa Of the gov.
eminent. but in doing ths i does not appear tia, he has been
innsenced by an actual consultation Of the tue bensl.s Of the
Treasury, but on the contrary, by that confirmed ot,iinAey,
which Is the only prominent feature Of his chsrseier, and which
would lead him to oppose even hi, own domestic hsppiaeu-
On two or three occasions, when his friends and cesdjuion
we're in the majority, he voted, not in opposition to them, la,
In opposition to . strong minority, % may be seen by his votes
in favor Of the Embargo, the War Bill, and one important claim,
Of . private naisre but it is said, that mortified In discovering
thM he favored, rather than opposed either Of those several
projects he has ever since rePented his department, in the
bitterness Of grief and IN dust and ashes. Indeed, the elements
that constitute his mortal body, seem 10 be composed Of NATE
rails directly opposite to those, which exist in other being; and
when he cannot oppose, he is in agony.
History is 'ilert as to asy propositions he has ever made for
tho public good, or any intention or conception Of tina, descrip-
,ion, ii we except, that some yean since, he expressed an opin-
ion, that any one who would invent a machine, to tell an Ameri-
Ca. citizen from a British subject, at first sight, would be entitled
to q .,.tue-but whether Of wood, lead, or gold, he did not
venture 10 mention.
Al the commencement, Of The present Administration he wa,
placed, by Mr.. Vice President CALHOUN, on ths Committee
Of FOREIGN RELATIONS, for no other reason, than that
| by being thus situated, he would be enabled to orPo'e and veI
the Secretary Of State, Nj. CLAY, with whom he would, nee
ee,ssrily have constant and direct intercourse, aa5st ~Pen-
ing Of the present session of Congress, he was pirFTin the
same situation.
lie was one of the few, who opposed the bill making an sP-
preparation in favor Of General LAFAYETTE, on which occa-
sian, he delivered a Speech, which ID SO well remembered,
that we deem i, perfectly unnecessary TO make an extract from
such an sfusion Of gall aud ingrstitude.
Having already overrun the space originally marked out for
this portrait, and finding hat il would take a volume to portray
the real character Of Mr.. Macon, we find ourselves called
upon to hasten to a conclusion; and after utterins a few words
we shall have done.
The Honor able NATHANIEL MACON, i, now about sixty
FIVE or seventy years Of sge, about FIVE feet, six inches high,
| and taking body and clothe, together, he is about Is broad as
he |. long. Dressed like other men, he would be thin his
limb, are smnll-his shoulders are broad and having a forward
inclination Of the head, he has the appearance Of a rickety
dwarf. Hi. head-the seat Of the political aeumsn of his great
man, i, nearly round, with no remakabh prominences TO meet
the eye, though a phrenoiogist nigh find some significant
hump; or Developments, such as opionaiveness, selfeonceit
and obstinacy. His face, as a whole, il no, positively bad, nor
positively ~good-the features are sm,ll-ths forehead rather
low-the eye dull and heavy, with small sockets-the aouth a
little pouting, so much so, that were it niled TO any other head,
il might Indicate eloqucnce. Upon tho whole, the head, face,
person, and dress, Of the venerable Macon, are characteristic Of
his moral and political beins-obsiinais in small thing, and
great in none.
lie boasts Of his republican,m, and OH, simplicity II dre,,
and manners. Ills dress is thu, Of The times when he first en-
tered on the duties of public life, in cut. fashion and manner.
lie wears a long-waistcd, ngskirted, loo'e hanging coat, with
long white top boots THE latter part of hh apparel he has wsrn
ever since The year 1891, when he fnst entered Congress. His
intercourse with the world, has given hin a soodly portion of
unmeanng ehit-chat, which be drays upon most Literally, and
laugh, at hi, jokes most immoderatsly. Io universally affects
rusieity, and sometimes clownish manners, and occasionally
delights in the use Of vulgar provincialism, to excite surprise,
and attract ateation. He does not mix much in the fa'hion-
able world, though he occasionally dues out, and IS sometime,
found ir an evening party.
II is said by those who know him best, that he want, to be
VEe-Pre'ident, and is willing to be taken up by either side, If
they will consent to run him. The latter admit, Of a doubt
bot Heaven forefend, that the casting vote of the Senate, and
the power Of deciding on questions, connected with the A~eri-
can System, should be placed in tho hands Of such a man as the
Honorable Nathaniel Macon, Of North-C Carolina.