[mrsmith]

Our first Senator, elected by the Pennsylvania legislature, served two years and was opposed by his own 'party' for reelection.
His Journal is a revealing, and delightfully opinionated, source on the congress which put the Constitution into practice.

[mrsmith]

I think you'd like this guy.

[billorites]

"I did not think it possible that mankind could be so easily duped, and yet there never was a vainer task than to attempt to undeceive them. "

Yikes.

[DonQ]

McClay's Diary is one of the most enlightening windows on the first Congress and an uncommonly unflattering look at the first VP, John Adams ("Bonnie Johnie"). The Diary was published by McClay's family decades after his death and apparently several pages were ripped out and are completely gone. The Diary has come out in at least three editions (one a recent paperback), and the Library of Congress has either the original or a microfilm of the original, and those pages are really missing. The odd thing is that the missing pages occur just when it appears he is about to describe some encounter with George Washington ... whom he apparently was not impressed with.

[Publius]

A genuine anti-Federalist serves in Congress, understands all too clearly what is going on, and is sent home for refusing to play the game.

We need more like him today!

[zeugma]

Bump for later read

[mrsmith]

A letter to the editor by William MacClay (in the "Independent Gazetteer" 1790)

"Mr. PRINTER

I am a poor distressed woman [the United States of America], who for the thirteen or fourteen years since I kept house, have had as great a variety of fortune as ever beset any female. Glorious gleams of sunshine indeed have I had, and happiness ever seemed in my reach; yet by the mismanagement of servants, in brakeing cups and saucers, spoiling provisions, &c. I think I am likely to be ruined. A few days ago I expected to put an end to all my troubles, by sending for a worthy gentleman [George Washington], who had often taken me out of the gutter, when I considered myself as irretrievably fallen. Hearing he was at hand, I requested my neighbour (as good a man I thought as could be) to brush the furniture, and sweep the house, where I used to lodge my best friends. Now could you think it, Sir? Off he runs, and buys such an heap of pots and pans, and dishes and ladles, as run me to ten or twelve pounds of expence. Good Lord! and all this after my being so much in debt already. I determined not to pay him. But what of that? Sawny [Alexander Hamilton] the servant, who had the keeping of the trifle of cash I was possessed of, the moment my back was turned, gave him the money. Was there ever such a trick? People tell me the Grand Jury [Congress] should indict him; but la Sir, the Jury know all about it, and I am afraid will take no notice of him, but lye by, till it suits them too, to get a slap at me.

Mr. Printer, I think I am not deficient in the qualities of my head; my heart I know to be possessed of the principles of rectitude. Is it not dreadful that my concerns should be knocked about at this rate, every body doing what they please with me? After describing my situation, you cannot expect me to tell my name, but pray publish my case, which is a plain one. Perhaps some humane person may direct me how to get out of my difficulties."