Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1921-11-12
ODD INCIDENTS IN AMERICAS
HISTORY
A NATIONS uNeRArEFULNEss

Few persons have ever felt the I'M
gratefulness of a nation as did Rob-
ert Morris, the financier\ of the Re-
Volution, who spent considerable Pc
Rod of his later life in prison on ac-
count OF debt. The services rendered
our country, however, in her day of
trial by the illustrious Morris will
never be forgotten by the American
people. There is at this day an af-
fectionate reverence for his character.
which ranks his name second only to
that of Washington among those who
achieved the liberty we now enjoy.
When our armies were without pro-
visions, and on the point of disband-
| ing for want of means to continue
the campaign, to him was committed
| the management of the finances of the
country. His exertions in the cause of
freedom were herculean. Upon his pri-
vate credit money was raised to fur
nish food to the starving army, and
his enterprise commanded supplies
/ which promoted active operations in
the field.
In one of Morriss letters, dater at
his home in Philadelphia, July 20, 1776
he expressed the sentiment that it is
the duty of every individual to act his
part in whatever station his country
may cab him to, at times of difficulty
danger and distress" And thus senti-
ment the great financier lived up to
during. the whole of the struggle for
the independence of his country.
The reverses, which in subsequent
years swept away his private fortune
and led to his Imprisonment for debt,
mark a sad era in the life of the pa
triet After the Revolution he contin-
| 20 ~,
which he, was taken on February IA,
1898, and was conducted to the debt
ors' apartment in the Walnut street
Jail. There he remained for three years
six months and ten days throughout
the yellow fever scourge, of 1898, when
men lay sick and dying around him, his
condition a witness to the disgrace of
the city the State and the nation, and
of civilization in which such things
could be.
Morris's great tracts of land, des-
tined before long to possess the great
est value were scattered under his
very eyes for lack of money to pay
the taxes, and interest charges. Ano-
Their Philadelphian, who was inearcera-
ted in the same prison at the time
Morris was there, and for the same
reason, gives the following account OF
the financier's prison life:
His person was neat and his dress
although a little old-fashioned, was
adjusted with much care. Mr.. Morris
appeared cheerful and when 1 saluted
him he returned it in the politest way
but in silence continuing to walk about
the prison grounds.
Later, when l met him, he seemed
more communicative. One day, when
he noticed that 1 was i'll, he said to
me: Sir, this is but an i'll place for
one so sickly, and apparently SO young
From this time he spoke to me daily
and always with great kindness.
The writer states that in after years
he frequently met his venerable fel.
low prisoner on the streets of Phila-
delphia, and lcnged to pay him tht
tribut of his respect, but was deterr.
led by the fear of reviving painful re-
collections.
Mr.. Morris, after the Revolution. be
/ gan to speculate large in unimprovet
7 lands in all sections Of thee country
and in February 1875, he organize,
with several others, the North Ameri
r can Land Company. which thorugh tn
! dishonesty and rascality of one of tn
a partners caused his ruin and burdene
a the closing years of his life with ut