The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1910-01-25

uuililS tIc TINE Oh the famous retreat
from South Carolina, which led to
the battle of Guilford Court House
and the surrender of CORVALLIS at
Yorktown. The American army had
just crossed the Yadkin and was TAX
ing a hort and much needed rest
on It's northern side While the British
pursuit was delayed by q flood in the
river. MT. Macon's refusal to obey
lhe Governors m was talked
ABOUT the camp until it came to the
knowledge Of General Greene, who
was deeply impressed by such a pref
erence. h army was in a destitute
condition and the outlook gloomy. The
General sent for the young man and
asked an explanation of his strange
conduct. Macon replied that he had
seen the faces of the British many
times, but had never seen their backs.
and he meant to stay in the army till
he did" General Greene knew men
and quickly realized that one food
before him through whom the army
might be equipped for the great emer-
gency that was upon it. Under these
circumstances Mr.. Macon was per-
suaded to enter the Senate. He did
no. disappOint his Generals exDecta-
tons. Largely through his efforts the
pressing necessities of army were sup
biIeu. Inc EdIllc . IulltOTu ofii
House was made possible. from which
british dominion over the colonies
went down in the gloom of defeat at
Yorktown.
He was Senator five terms, begin
ming in 1891. His recognition was
prompt and the records of the Senate
show that he was one Of the mos
Industrious and influential members.
His strict regard for the law was as
manifest here as in his later life. Ger
tain goods had been impressed from
merchants in Edenton for the use of
the army. It was the occasion Of a
petition to the Assembly. Mr.. Macon,
chairman of the Joint committee to
consider the matter, reported: 1T is
your committees opinion that the i'm
pressment of goods by general war
rants is unconstitutional. oppressive
and destructive of trade" Forty years
later he wrote to his friend, Rartleft
Yancey: '"The book Of Judges ought
to be attentively read by every man
in the United States to see the terrible
effect on the Israelites for departing
from the law which was their con-
stitution; and so ought the books OF
Samuel and kin~s: indeed the whole
Pihle contains great knowledge OF the
PRINCIPLES OF government. The rising
generations forget the principles and
maxims of their forefathnrs. hence the
destruction of free government IT
every age. Of what benefit was the
law to the children of Israel when
they denarted from it. or what heneft
are written constitutions il they be
departed from; the wise maxims they
NAV contain are useless. perhane
worse than useless if not adhered to.
hacanco honest poonle abide by them.
and others do not
He married Hannah Plummer Octo-
Der 8, 1855. The marriage was a most
happy II but OF short duration. SIZE
uIeo January II, 1890, leaving a son,
VIII died IN his seventh year, and two
daughters, Betsy x, who married VIM
Martin, of Granville, and Seigniora-
who married VIM. Eaton, Sr., OF War
rem. He never married again.
Mr.. Macon established his home on
Buck Spring plantation, some ten
miles northeast of Warrenton. Here
died and were buried the wife and
son. and here were spent the long
years which grew into lonely old age.
In a splendid grove of many hundred
oaks he built q plain dwelling OF
poplar plank. One room sixteen 1eet
square, a. half story above and a base
ment below, was this manson. II
was in Keeping with his slender means
at the outset of life, ana WhOliy SUI
fcient for the simple tastes OF the
lonely man when the light OF MS HE
had gone out. Offices such as were
common in that section were placed
about the grove for the accoTnmoda-
ton of guests. The old-tin1e kitchen
with it's great fire place, in which
have stood fully erect, was nearly IN
front of the dwelling and close by
AS usual in old places in that coun-
try. the barns and stables were hrs'
reached in approaching the mousse Inc
great spring from which the place de-
rived its name was in a well stocked
deer park. MrI Macon took much
pleasure in sport and disposed of his
deer by will. In December, 1924
when sixty-seven years Of age, ne
wrote Mr.. Yancey from Washington
IT caught twelve foxes before l LETT
home; ate Of the Venlson or hve WIG