The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-11-10

but % years old he became member Of
the Provincial Congress of New York
where his great abilities, prOdigious in
dustry and competence in law and politics
soon gave him an enviable reputation. The
extent of his knowledge of finance, in
which he was already an expert, was a
surprise to his associates. AS early as
1863 he had published anonymously an
able series of articles on this subject that
had been widely read. Now the confidence
reposed in him by the Congress enabled
him to devise WAYS and means for de-
fraying the expenses of military opera
tons. In May, l776, the Continental Con-
gress advised the colonies TO organize new
forms of government. Morris took the
lead in the debates that followed in the
New York Congress, and in the following
August, when the State constitution was
made, he was a member of the commit
tee that drafted it.
He was elected to the Continental Con-
gress in 177S. His reputation for business
capacity led Congress to honor him on
the very day he presented his credentials
with an appointment on a committee to
examine with General Washington into
the condition of the army. The result
was the preparation of plan for the re-
organization of the army. 1t was while
be was member of this committee that
the intimate and lifelong friendship ex-
listing between him and Washington be-
gan. In the next February he was made
chairman of a committee of five Ito con-
slider and report upon propositions sub
mitted by Lord North for a reconclia-
ton. In these propositions the English
Government agreed to abandon the old
and vexed question of taxation and to
send commissioners to treat with the colo
nists. The report was written by Morris
nd nil Nv
gress. 1t declared that the United States
could not treat with Great Britain until
the British military and naval forces were
withdrawn and independence recognized
In this way the principle on which peace
was to be negotiated was determined and
when the United States finally appointed
commissioners it was Morris who drafted
their Instructions
Mr.. Morris was not returned to Con-
gress when his term expired. His defeat
was due primarily to the accusation that
he had sacrificed the interests of mis-
State for those of the General Govern
ment He now took up his residence in
Philadelphia and resumed the practice of
law. He did not remain long at the law,
however, for his intimate knowledge of
finance led Robert Morris, the Supern-
tendent of Finance, to appoint him as mis-
assistant Now he planned the first bank
of the country, which Congress incorp
GRATED as the Bank of North America
with a capital of 100000. While in this
office. too, If Thomas Jefferson is right
he suggested the idea of decimal nota-
ton. which afterward was made the basis
of the coinage of the United States.
When the war was over he retired to pri-
vatS life and again took up the practice
of law.
The Federal convention assembled May
% 1857 Mr. Morris had now resided In
Philadelphia for seven years, and was
chosen as one of the delegates from Penn
sylvania He attended the whole session
except few days in June, and entered
with his usual zeal into the work of the
convention. lie was opposed to a de-
mocracy. Probably he went farther in
his opposition TO this form of government
than any other delegate except Hamilton,
with many of whose views he was str1k-
ingly in accord. lie sought to establish a
vigorous central government He favored
a President and Senate for life and a
freehold suffrage. He opposed slavery
and denounced the system as a "nefarious
institution, the curse of heaven on all ne
States in which it prevails
1t was Mr.. Norris who made the final
draft of the constitution. James Madison
has said: The finish given to the style
and arrangement of the constitution
fairly belongs to the pen OF Mr.. Morris
A better choice could not have been made
as the performance of the task proved
The talent and taste of the author We're
stamped on the face of it," While the
constitution did not meet with Mr. Nor
ris' approval in all respects, he neverthe-
less believed in 1t. little time after the
convention had adjourned he wrote as
follows to a gentleman in France:
You will ere this have seen the constitutfop
reasons to believe that it was the work of plain
honest men. and such, l think. 1t viii appear
Faulty 1t must be- for what is pSrfect? Should
1t take effect, the affairs of this country will
put on a much better aspect than they have
vet worn. and America will soon be as much