Background
Macon, Nathaniel was born on December 17, 1758 in Edgecomb (later Bute, now Warren) County, North Carolina, United States. Son of Gideon and Priscilla (Jones) Macon.
Macon, Nathaniel was born on December 17, 1758 in Edgecomb (later Bute, now Warren) County, North Carolina, United States. Son of Gideon and Priscilla (Jones) Macon.
Attended College of New Jersey (now Princeton), 1774-1776.
Served in New Jersey Militia during Revolutionary War, left army, 1777. Returned to North Carolina, studied law, 1777, served as private in Battle of Camden, 1780. Member North Carolina Senate, 1780-1782, 84-85, North Carolina House of Commons, 1790.
Member United States House of Representatives (Republican) from North Carolina, 2d-14th congresses, 1791-December 13, 1815, speaker, 1801-1807.
Supported continuation of treaty with France, opposed Jay Treaty, Alien and Sedition Acts, supported Louisiana Purchase, (1803), urged Thomas Jefferson to purchase Florida. Chairman foreign relations committee, 1809, Macon’s Bill Northern 1, Northern 2 named for him (not author of these, opposed to 2d which gave President power to suspend intercourse with either France or Great Britain because of interference with United States commerce), 1810, favored War of 1812, opposed conscription.
Member United States Senate (Republican) from North Carolina, December 13, 1815-November 14, 1828, president pro tem., 1826-1828, participated in Missouri debate, opposed to compromise, defended slavery. Macon County (North Carolina) named for him, 1828.
Opposed nullification, 1832.
President North Carolina Constitutional Convention, 1835, declined to vote for amended constitution
Member North Carolina Senate, 1780-1782, 84-85, North Carolina House of Commons, 1790. Member United States House of Representatives (Republican) from North Carolina, 2d-14th congresses, 1791-December 13, 1815, speaker, 1801-1807. Member United States Senate (Republican) from North Carolina, December 13, 1815-November 14, 1828, president pro tem., 1826-1828, participated in Missouri debate, opposed to compromise, defended slavery.
Married Hannah Plummer, October 9, 1783, 3 children.