, 1884-06-18
HIS HIGH MIGHTINESS.
A Leaf from the Diary of William
Maclay-17s9.
The Question of What Title should
he Given the President of m
United States-LauGhed
Down.


L" hsliDStDn Stt. IIlpt ctthhsI
1t appears that Washington was in favor
n an additional title to be bestowed upon
the president, and recommended that OF "His
High M~ightiness,n which was applied to the
stadtholders of Holland.
A committee was chosen to consider the
ubject, and decided upon "His Elective
Majesty" as the proper thing. 1t was taken
from the practice OF Poland. The report
was debated at length. "Mr. Lee, OF Vir-
sinia," writes Mr.. Mackey, "who was a
imon-pure democract, appearing to favor all
titles, Jed the business. He took the ground
hat all the world, civilized and savage,
salled for titles, There was something in
human nature that occasioned this general
consent. Therefore,, he conceded 1t was
right
"hr. Ellsworth was in favor of a ldngly
title. Mr.. lizard, OF South Carolina, sup
ported him. Mr.. Carroll, OF Maryland, aud
hr. Maclay argued that The President was
mo constitutional title, and that the chief
magistrate needed no other. Mr.. Ellsworth
Tidicuied the suggestion. He enumerated
how common the aPpellation Of president
was, there were presidents Of fire companies
and cricket clubs, He believed that some of
the siatsI authorized titles by their constitu-
lions. The president reminded him that
Connecticut did.
"Mr. lizard moved that the the title of the
president be His Excellency.' Mr.. Lee pro.
Josed 'His Elective Highness,' and made a
iong speech to the effect TINT such n title
would add weight, dignity, Importance, and
authority to the government, at home and
broad
Mr.. Maclay replied that ait WIS impossible
for any title to add L the respect entertained
for Gen. Washington. II you give them
he title OF any foreign prince or potentate, a
belief would follow that the manners of that
prince and his modes Of government would
be adopted by the president OF a par with
any prince of blood in Europe. There were
gone of them that could enter the lists of
true glory with him"
The report Of the committee was rejected
and another appointed to invent a suitable
title.
"This whole silly business writes MIR.
Mhclay, sis the work OF Mr.. Adams and Mr..
Lee. lizard follows Lee, and the New Eng
land men, who herd together, always follow
Adams. A court our house seems deter
mined on, and to run into all tho fooleries,
fopperies, and pomp Of royal etiquette"
The second committee came to an agree.
ment the next dnyEand reported as the title
Tor the president: "His Elective Highness,
President of the United states, and Protector
OF the Rights Of the Same" Then followed
another long debate. during which Mr..
Maclay says. There was visible anxiety in
the CHAIR Finally Mr.. Adams took the
floor and made an extended speech in favor
Of the adoption OF the report. "FOr forty
minutes" says the diary, did he h%aranguo
us, and found fault with almost everything.
He spoke with grent nsperity. Gentlemen. l
must tell you said Mr.. Adams, lit is you and
the president that have the making of titles,
Suppose the president should have the APP
pointment of Mr.. Jefferson at the court OF
France. Mr.. Jefferson is, in virtue of that
appointment, the most illustrious, the most
powerful, and what notl But the president
himsslf must be something that includes all
the dignities of the diplomatic corps, and
something stu greater.
e-What will the common people of foreign
countries sayi What will the soldiers and
sailorsl George Washington, president Of
the United Statesi They wilt despise him and
our government"
Under the influence of Mr.. Adams, tho re-
port was adopted, and the senate agreed to
confer upon the president the title above
given, with "A slight amendment, making IL
read:
ellis Highness, President of the United
States OF America, and Protector OF their
Liberties
The house Of representatives declined. how
ever, to concur with tho senate in this i'm
portant decision. The title was actually
laughed out OF congress, and Mr.. Maclay pro-
ceeds to say that the word brightness" could
DO properly applied to men of great stature.
let America be searched, y he said, "and
the tallest man be made president The
honor will probably be conferred upon some
huge Patagonian."
ftere wus another long debate upon the
question whether member OF congress should
be called "honorable, - but there was never a
decision upon 1t.