American watchman and Delaware advertiser., 1826-08-29

tween Great Britain aud her then depressed and de
graded Colonies. From the active and decided part,
however which he took in The struggle that ensued,
We are LETT to infer that he had been idle In cher
fishing correct principles and genuine love OF coun7
try, remiss in storing mind, naturally strong,
with the most useful and wholesome knowledge.
At the end Of the year l775, Mr.. Morris was cha.
sen as one OF the Members Of Congress from Penn
syiyania: and in that capacity was sedulously en-
ployed in devising financial !" Ways and Means" SO
absolutely necessary in of future hostile opera
tions then considered The inevitable consequence Of
the stand taken by the Colonies
Although it was not until the year 1871 that MFR.
Morris elected Superintendent, Of Finances by
the Congress, yet he was considered long before as
attached TO this department. and his fetiii- expedi-
ents, ready resources, and unfaing energy, often
proved of the most essential service to the American
cause.
In 1776, Congress removed TO Baltimore, before
the approaching columns OF the British troops
through the Jerseys; but MIR Morris remained n
Philadelphia. to attend to some comnefcia irsnssc-
tions An anecdoe is rela ed of him ai that time
which shows the importance Of the high credit OF
Mr.. Morris to government, and places in striking
light that dsinterested patriotism, which, under the
most untoward circumstances, could lead HIM 10
peril his fortune for the oil liberty In this
crisis, letter from General Washington was re-
ceived stating his serious embarrassmenls, owing
his total desttulion Of ha money, and that with
out an immediate supply from some quarter, the
safety of his army would be in jeopardy. OF this
fact, Mr.. Morris was of course quickly apprized,
while on his way from his mansion 10 his Office; and
soon after hearing it, he was accos,ed by friend
belonging to the Quaker Society. with" Well. Ro-
bert, what news s''- To which MIR Morris replied!
l." The news is, that am in immediate want OF q
sum OF hard money, mentioning the amounD and
that you the man who must procure it for me-
.L,on kao nfo ,T how and rrr
honor" With scarcely moments hesitation, hia
| tend laconcally answered.. Robert, thou shalt
have it - and thus, by the pa rloism, credit, ard
ready resources of public spi,ited individual, was
Congress enabled to supply The wants OF Washing
ton, and avert the ruin OF the little Spartan army
that was opposing The gigantic forces OF Britain.
On another occasion not less critical he was the
means, through his con6denlia agent in South Car
oina oil aver,ing the total dispersion Of the army o
Gen. Greene. by the timely supply OF money as the
risk OF utter ruin, merchant OF the ii ST creds
and standing in the country.
i In 1891, Mr.. Morris was unanimously elected BY
congress Superintendent of the Public Finances
and such the confidence of that body in bis hdel
lilly and honor, that they dispensed with his reIin-
quishmsnt Of his private business. He then entered
into commercial connection with & K. Hazle-
hurst.
To properly appreciate the arduous duties of Mr..
feet the wretched state Of discred to which our
Continental currency had then sunk and which il
lis difficult. it not impossible. Tor cllizen OF the
present golden age OF the Republic to imagine.
The management of the National Treasury, at any
period since the adoption of the Federal Constitur
ticn, may be compared to plotting ship down q
broad river free from shoals while that Of the Re-
volution similar to conducting crazy vessel.
without helm, canvass, rigging. or compass across
the ocean. to a port never before reached by the
navigator. But for this duty, Mr.. Morris's habits
OF steady application TO business and fertility OF
pedients qualified hm--and he safely led the harque
OF Finance into the untried port OF safety.
So Justly has money been called the " siReW Of
irar,' that without it, cause, however holy can
prove successful--no valor triumphant-no wisdom
sufficient 10 guard against ruin. This sineto was
Robert Morris 10 the American Army, in our late
struggle for Liberty. When the stoutest heart was
chilled by despair when penury and want unnersed
courage, and relaxed resolution when even Wash :.
ng,on was lost in the multiplicity OF evils and the
dark emergencies OF the tmes--ihe purse Of .for-
rois came in as restoring Angel--and the credit
OF the Merchant, and the energies OF The man saved
the Republic.
Mr.. Morris projected the presen, BanE Of North
.qmerica, which he then intended should be Ma.
tional Bank, and which commenced operations ON
9Th January, 1882 II was subsequently, abandoned
to this Sratc when in 1890. Congress chartered tho
first National Bank Of 10000 GOO.
OF the value of Robert Morris's services to his
country some idea may be formed from The good
effects OF his establishing the Bank of North Ame-
ca. AT that time the States were involved in dsbt
to the amount of half million OF dollars on ono
years ,axes, which had been raised by anticipation
on The credit of MIR. Morris's system Of Finance
and which the establishment oil the Bank enabled
him to bring TO happy contamination.
Facts speak Louder than words. Before Mr.. Nor
,s was chosen Financier, il cost the Congress al
the rate OF 100000 dollars annually, in specie to
prosecute the war ; and it cost them but sic mil