Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-10-13
A NOTABLE OCCASION
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The Dedication of the Memorial of
49,. Robert Morris,
FUNDS TO SUPPORT TIRE REVOLUTION
History Of the Difficulties Of the
Colonial F inanciers.
THE CELEBRATION TO-DAY

Preparations are making, remarked the
New York Times recently. for the cele-
bration OF e most interesting event, the
dedication Of the old Holland land Office at
Batavia, N. Y, In honor and in memory Of
Robert Morris. the great financier of the
revolution, and the first Secretary of the
Treasury of the United States.
1t was proposed to have the celebration
on a national scale and to have the ma
tons highest officials participate. 1t was
deemed peculiarly appropriate that the sue
&C ssor in Office of Rebert Morris should be
asked to dedicate the building, and accord
ingly Secretary Of the Treasury Carlisle
was invited to do so. He accepted the in
vitation, naming the date of the celebration
to suit his convenience. that there may be
no failure on his part to be present. He
determined upon Saturday, October IL TO-
day..
1t may seem strange that In this country,
where public recognition Of its benefactors
Is generally prompt and hearty, one who
did so much for the nation In its first strug-
gies for existence, without whose counsel
and n aterial aid the fight for freedom
would have been In vain. but which was
Brought to Its successful and glorious end
by MS gifts and timely assistance, involv-
unequaled In the history of the country.
who is regarded by some historians as a
character second only to Washington,
should be neglected for century ana
raught done to perpetuate his memory.
The credit for inaugurating the demon
stration belongs to the Holland Purchase
Historical Society. This society was formed
about a year ago for the purpose of pre-
serving the Holland land office at Batavia,
for the historical Associations which sur
round the old building are legion, 1t being
the very basis Of THE history of this whole
and was then made Of wood. but It was re-
built IN 1913. when the present substantial
building of stone took the place Of the
original structure. r4n this building was
Land Company. the company from which
the early settlers first bought the land and
over. Its counters passed the sums In pay
ment aGE the sane and these sums 80 paid
lsnders for the loans they had made to
Robert Morris to assist the government in
carrying on the revolution.
These early pioneers, grandfathers, and
great-grandfathers OF the present genera
ton. came to Batavia to make their pay
ments on their little farms. and their fire.
quent pilgrimages to the lana office was a
feature in their uneventful lives. And 1t
still stands. just as 1t was.
At time when disintegration threatened
the army and the cause of liberty seemed
aiHOSt lOSt IOT Want OF the necessary
to keep the army in the field Morris came
to the assistance of Washington, and by
pledging his personal credit secured a loan
Of $4,000 In Holland, which relieved the
emergency and tided the army over o great
crisis
Morris was at that time the wealthiest
man In the country, and had a fortune
worth millions. the whole Of which he
eventually pledged In one way or another
to raise funds for the support Of the gov
eminent. but In saving the country he
lost his fortune. The millions vanished In
the maelstrom Of the extraordinary revo-
luttonary finances. and Robert Norris