In February, 1830, William B. Conway issued a prospectus for a new weekly newspaper to be called The American Manufacturer.

"[7] By March 1833, Conway retired from the editorial chair and left Phillips, the junior editor, in sole charge.

Concerning those who attended church on special fast days to pray against the disease, he said that they might be divided into two classes, "the cunning but servile sycophant of popularity, and the simple dupes who swallow all, for orthodoxy, which their preachers and leaders tell them.

"[3][9] The paper invoked wrath from churches and rival newspapers by calling for the public celebration of the birthday of Thomas Paine.

[3] The editor of the Allegheny Democrat, regarding Paine as an "infidel," wrote, "It is to be hoped for the credit of our city that but few will participate in this abominable festival.

In one instance, McDonald took an editorial battle from the printed page to the office of the Allegheny Democrat, where he threatened that paper's editor with a large horse pistol.

The case would be settled a couple of years later with Phillips (McDonald having died by then) paying the necessary costs and issuing a letter of apology.