Page:Journal of William Maclay, United States senator from Pennsylvania, 1789-1791 (IA cu31924030423796).pdf/13

Rh plexion of the context and the value of the work. But, now that an unreserved publication is called for in the interest of history, it will be seen that William Maclay was foremost in the opposition to these extreme monarchical views of the Federalists, and that in combating and subverting their aspirations he laid the foundation of the Democratic party.

On his retirement from the Senate, William Maclay resided on his farm, adjoining Harrisburg, where he erected a stone mansion. In the year 1795 he was elected a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, and was again elected in 1803. He was a presidential elector in 1796, and from 1801 to 1803 officiated as one of the Associate Judges of Dauphin County. He died on the 16th of April, 1804, in Harrisburg, and is buried in Paxtang churchyard.

He was @ man of the strictest integrity, positive opinions, keen insight into the underlying motives of men, and with indomitable perseverance and tenacity of purpose in carrying out views once formed. In personal appearance he was six feet and three inches in height, light complexion, while his hair, in middle age, appears to have been brown, and was tied behind or “clubbed.” Mr. Harris, of Harrisburg, narrates that he “well remembered, when a young collegian, during the summer vacation he used to watch Mr. Maclay wearing a suit of white flannel, with Iace ruffles, walking up and down the river-bank in Maclayville—as it was then called—and he thought he had never seen such a dignified, majestic old gentleman: while,” he added, “I was always half afraid of him—he seemed to awe me into insignificance.”

, August, 1890.