On October 8, 1816, a special election was held in , the second special election in that district in the 14th Congress. The reason for the special election was Thomas Burnside (DR)'s resignation to accept a judicial appointment in April of that year. Burnside himself had been elected to the seat in the previous special election.
Maclay took his seat December 3, 1816, at the start of the 2nd session of the 14th Congress