Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-09-06
BY JOHN CLAGETT PROCTOR.

1 u
away from home for awhile and see some
>, Of the wonderful places in America that
cannot be duplicated elsewhere, but after
you have Toasted your eyes to your hearts
content, and privileged once again to
behold your own fair native city-the Capital
of the United States Of America-you cannot
help but say to yourself that even though we
are DISTINGUISHED he and not permitted to
enjoy the full fruits of liberty for which our
Revolutionary ancestors fought, yet to US 1t is
the grandest pace on earth. And the writer
will admit that when nc returned to this city
after tour of the West, dear old Washington
surely looked good to him.
Perhaps, though, wien VIC LOOK at our beau
tiful city-for which We are assessed about
four ifths of the running expenses, without
any say as to how that money should be spent
we little dream of the trials and difficulties
of the men who first came to the aid OF the
Federal Government and invos>ed their Tor
tunes in Washington City real estate, only, in
q number OF cases to lose it all
Most naturally, OF course, these men were
speculators: but they induced to come
here and many would have Jared better had
they stayed away Thomas Law, Americas rich
man of that period. WHO married the grand
daughter of Mrs. Washington, lost about one
half of his vast fortune Others lost all, as was
the case with Robot LICrrIs. "fnancier OF the
American Revolution VINO quit several mil
lions on the debt side OF the ledger, and who,
in consequence, Sp-nt two years and hall
in Philadelphia Jail unG2r the Old law which
sent debtors to prison fer not meeting Their
financial obligations.
Much of this GistiIlS ui-lled mans indebted
ness was tracsabie. directly or indirectly to
his ventures in real property in the Distilct OF
Columbia particularly il ASSOCIATION with
Nicholson and G-celleaf.
DORM in Liverpool England, January 20,
- 1854, Robert Morris came to the American
Colonies when lad IS years of age and first
settled in Oxford Nd. where his father, Robert
Morris ST. had preceded him to this country
and established himself in business Subse-
uuently the father sent the son to Robert Green
way a merchant of Philadelphia, who agreed
to take care OF him and give him an education.
In 1850 the elder Morris was fatally injured
with wad fired from q gun engaged in giving
a salute We are told that his memory was
so highly esteemed that the gentlemen residing
in the vicinity solennly enjoined in their wills
that his tomb should be preserved inviolate,
and that Ibis favorite dog could not be entlceo
from the body of his deceased master, and died
upon the grave, thus aIordng another 1eeilng
example of the affection which warns the most
faithful and least tickle friends of man." An
other account of this accident says:
morris went out in a small boat with party
of friends TO meet the vessel He had some
premonition Of disaster, for he asked the cap
tain on this occasion to dispense with feature
usual to such ceremonieS-the firing Of o salute
after the departure Of the guests. At MS oe-
sire the commander Of the ship gave orders 70
the men that the complimentary shot should
be omitted at which the sailors quite generally
expressed dissent Each mariner was accus-
toned to receive o glass Of grog after the salute.
The captain mentioned the fact TO Mr. Morris,
whA In this time Of general good feeling
yielded, although was stipulated that the
g1an should not be discharged until the sailors
should receive . prearTanged signal from the
yawl In which the company was being con-
veyed TO the shore. One informant tells -
finger upon his nose; another, that It was the
dropping Of . handkerchief.
whichever account we accept. We are g.
sured that the movement was made pGennA-
tuely. In the case q ny lodged upon The
captains nose and he Involuntary raised his
hand to brush on, while In the second ease
a lady let her handkerchief fall, also without
thought Of the consequences. The sailors, MA1-
taking the movement for their signal, fhed
their salute the shot, luck would have 1t,
passing through the blackboard Of the pannaee
Of the yavl breaking one Of Mr.. Morris arms
o little above the elbow. It was not serious
wound but proper surgical treatment was un-
obtainable IN Oxford. Blood poisoning ensued,
and in Q few days the patient died, before the
boy In Philadelphia knew Of his fathers In
Jury"
AVER his grave In White Marsh burial
~ ground. in st. Peters parish, Talbot
County. Md, Is . memorial to him which
reads:
ROBERT NORRIS, q Native Of Liverpool m
Great Britain Late Merchant Of Oxford
In This Province
Punctual Integrity influenced his dealings
Principles Of honor governed his actions.
With an uncommon degree Of Sincerity. he