Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-03-29

lLynct6urg Figtaln.
SPARKS life oCG ureneur Horris-The first
volume If this work contains d biography OF Mr..
Morris, and the two others are occupied with ex.
tracts from hs correspondence. and sone OF his
other writings. Considered in the light at mere
compilations. publications OF this KIND would be
highly valuable fran the Illustrations they afford
of doubtful and disputed points OF history: ba' the
work Of NJ. Sparks ags claim 10 higher chaiac-
ter. By far the most Interesting portion of il is
that in which he gives all that tai. be coll
leced, relating to The fe of distinguished, and
in some respe, +, remarkable man who has never
vel filled tina, space in the pub ic eslnat on, to
! which his real services enritle him Many reade S
will be surprised to learn how extensive the agen
cy of Mr.. Morris actually was, in the direction
of some of our most important public affairs
Ihi, information is SET before them by Mr. Sparks
in very interesting form, accompanied with the
results of his search on other topics, with which
Mr.. Morris was less unmedIateI connected, but
whc' are by no means out Of place in the history
of MS life.
We have been rorcibv sruck. in pernsing This
work, with the reflection. how strong the inilu
ence of CirCumstante s in forming the character;
we mean, in imparting to il an elevation, which
Very many of the most distinguished leaders of
our revolution were men, who were just entering
ON the stage of active life-persons of command
ing talent, indeed but without the instructions OF
experience; but the high enthusiasm which ami
mailed them, and the stern responsibility under
which they acted, appeared TO supply. and well
supply the deficiency of knowledge which theyhad
no opportunity to gain bv way of preparation tor
their arduous labors. Such was the case with
Gouverneur Morris. At the age OF seventeen,
he began to acquire fame as political writer
He had hardly passed the period which the law
calls infancy. before he was employed IN the most
active legislative duties in New York; which
were rendered more than usually oppressive by
the necessity of re-organiZing the government OF
that province, and the threatened descen mt of the
enemy.
Three years afterwards we find him in tho
Continental Congress, acting at the head of some
of the most important committees, and as zeal
Gus and ffi,ient member Of rs;-nveslIga
ing the condition aud d'vising effectual plans tor
the relief of the army; DlungIng without tear or
danger into the abyss OF our finances; guiding the
sentiment OF the people IN opposition TO BRUSH
plans OF cOnciation. and grasping the whole sno
ject Oi our foreign relations with so much lmteli-
gence, that he might almost be said, IN SOM I'M
pOrtant instances. to direct their course Al the
age of twenty Eight. he is as associated with Ko5ert
Morris IN accomplishing the almost miraculous
work of redeeming the forfeited credit OF the L.
States, and not long afterwards, this series OF
his domestic services is fl ~ closed by the sIngu-
lar honor which IS accorded to him, OF drafting
the Federal COnstItu,lon.
The portion of his biography which contains
the detail of these services, though the most I'M
portant. perhaps, In enabling Us to form correct
idea of the ability of Mr. Morris. is less interest
ing, than that which relates to his long residence
abroad. Mr.. Sparks has introduced into this
part of it various extracts from diary, which
was regularly kept BY him. and which appears 10
be full of Instructive and amusing matter
His residence in France, both as private In
dvdual. and as the Minister of the United States
at the e,entful period of the French Revolution,
his free to all the political aud social cir
cles of Paris. and the deep interest with which
he regarded the changes which were in constant
progress at the time, render his history as we'll
as his diary and correspondence, extremely valu-