Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1840-05-09

huence and risk He declared himself imme-
dately against the stamp act signed without
hesitation the non-importatlon agreement III
1865, and in so doing, the house of Willing and
Morris made direct and serious sacrifice OF
trade. In i775, Mr.. Morris was appointed by
the Legislature of Pennsylvania one of the sec
ond general Congress- He was placed on ev-
ery committee of WAYS and Means, and con-
nected with al tie deliberations and arrange
ments relative to the navy, maratime affairs and
financial interest.
Besides aidisg his country by his judgment
and talents for business, he borrowed money TO
a very large amount, on his personal response
bility, for the use of the government. This per-
sonal credit, growing out of LIS reputation for
probity, ability and resources, was wonderful,
and OF incalcuIabl, advantage 10 the American
cause. II rarely failed when the treasury yield
ed nothing for the public exigencies.
In MAY, l777 he was elected third time 10
Congress, and continued to he the soul of the
financial concerns. Washington to whom he
was deputed by Congress in that year con-
ceived the utmost faith in his patriotism and
ability which all the subsequent events of their
intimate intercourse and the coanexion of Nor
ris with public affairs, seryedsto perpetuale.
InI70O, Mr. Morris established a bark by
subscription, OF which bis Share was fl0,O00.
mainy with the object of supplying the army
with provisions. 1t coutinussi until the follow
ing year, when the Bank Of North America was
founded. His extensive commercial and pri-
vale correspondence with Great Britain and The
Continent furnished him, with early and I'M
poriant political information lis constant man
iles;a;Ions Of confidence in t!e'issue of the rev
= /
the same sentiments. His . hole example did
IncaicJ,abie service. Feb %, i7Sl, he was
appointed superintendent of tinapce, and by sub
seggent resolutions Of Congress, vested with
powers, winch gave HIM in lact, the control Of
all the public pecuniary interests. This ardu-
ous Office ne aamiraLlH.scl arged until the end
OF the war. g lie whF1e kjsiness 'of finance"
said he "may be comprised IN two short but
comprehensive sentences, :s-fo raise the pub
lie revenue by such modes as may be most ea-
sy, and most equal to me people, and TO ex-
eXpend II, IN the most frugal, fair and honest
manner" he condition Of the treasury, when
he undertook il; was nearly as bad as possible.
Upon its improvement depended the preserva-
lion of the military force The establishment
o!the Bank OF Nerih Aluer:ca was one Of his
first and most beneficial measures The notes
OF the instita.lou were declared by Congress
receivable as gold and silver, for the payment
OF ali duties and taxes in each Of the L. States.
Morris furnished the plan, and published it, with
cogen; appeal to the patriotism Of all Ameri-
can citizens. A cotenporary writer has re-
marked that :" the sudden restoration of public
AID private credit, which took place on the es-
tabshment Of the bank. was an event as extra
ordinary IN itsel4, as any domestic occurrence
durlr, the progress of the revolution" At this
lime, Tie private fortune of Nr. Morris was am
pie, but supposed 10 be mGoh larger than il re
ally was; and ne rendered this personal credit
subservient to the public good. His advances
at particular times on account Of the confeder-
acy or OF individual States, were enormous.
His general situation, and the impossibility of
relieving all the wants which were referred to
ms department, exposed him 10 slanderous
charges, and harsh suspicious, which have in
10 instance withs,ood fair inquiry, The ne
ceSsary supplies Of every thing required for
WashIngton's expedition against Cornwais
were ATTAINED chiefly by means Of Mr. Morris
credit He issued his own notes to the amount
of one million four hundred thousand dollars.
which were finally all paid These were the
slnews of war, without which Conwalis would !
not have been captured. The history of the |
difficulties which he had to evade or overcome.
and the expedients to which he resorted, in the
course OF his financial administration would fill |
a volume
January "a, 1888, Mr. Morris announced to
the President of Congress, his intention to re-
sign his office, Nothing but the public danger
could have induced him to accept it, and, the
danger being past he felt himself at liberty to
escape from excessive toll, and manifold liabili-
ties. lie consented however to serve until the
18th OF May On the I'd Nay after repea-
ted conferences with Committee of Congress T
he was prevailed upon to continue in office, and
he dad not finally leave it Until November 764
At his Request in May OF that year, Congress
appointed board Of treasury Commissioners.
who were 10" cooperate with and succeed him
IN The management of the finances In rem
deling an account ofhis Stewardship, he pab
hsAed an able address TO the inhabitants OF the
United States containing excellent counsel
In SCntenbpr 1871 Ganorass boI xo.oI.l