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Robert Morris

 Robert Morris

Introduction

Robert Morris is considered one of the most prominent Founding Fathers of the United States of America, and his contributions to the American Revolution and the establishment of American democracy are numerous. Morris was a successful businessman and politician, who served as the Superintendent of Finance for the Continental Congress during the Revolution. His work was instrumental in providing financing for the Patriots during the war and was vital to the ultimate success of the American Revolution. Additionally, Robert Morris was a key contributor to the establishment of the United States as a nation, with his participation in the Constitutional Convention and his role as a member of the United States Senate.

Early Life and Family

Robert Morris was born on January 31, 1734, in Liverpool, England. His father was a tobacco merchant, and his family was considered to be part of the middle class. Morris was educated at a private school in England before moving to the United States in his teens to work for a shipping company in Maryland. After working for several years, Morris moved to Philadelphia and began working for a series of merchants, eventually becoming a successful businessman in his own right.

Morris married Mary White, the daughter of a prominent physician, in 1769. The couple had five children together, two sons, and three daughters. Morris was known to be a devoted family man and provided a comfortable life for his family with his successful business ventures.

Role in the American Revolution

Morris played a vital role in the American Revolution and is considered to be one of the most important figures in the financing of the war effort. He participated in the Continental Congress from 1775 to 1778 and acted as the Congress’s Superintendent of Finance from 1781 to 1784. He was responsible for raising funds to support the war effort, and he used his personal credit and connections to borrow money from European banks and wealthy individuals.

Morris was often credited with preventing a financial collapse of the Continental Army by using his personal funds to support the war effort. His financial contributions to the Revolution were invaluable, and without his efforts, the war may have ended differently. Morris was also a signatory to the Declaration of Independence, and his dedication to American liberty is evident throughout his work during the Revolution.

Constitutional Convention and United States Senate

After the American Revolution ended, Morris continued to play a vital role in the establishment of the United States as a nation. He participated in the Constitutional Convention in 1787, representing Pennsylvania, and he was a significant contributor to the development of the United States Constitution. Morris kept a daily journal during the Convention, which detailed the discussions and debates surrounding the creation of the new government, and it is considered an essential historical document.

After the ratification of the United States Constitution, Morris was appointed as one of Pennsylvania’s two members to the United States Senate. His work in the Senate helped to establish many of the financial and economic policies that would guide the newly formed government, and his experience as the Superintendent of Finance during the Revolution made him particularly well-suited to lead these efforts.

Final Years and Legacy

Morris’s final years were marked by financial difficulties, which led him to spend time in debtors’ prisons. He eventually retired from public life and passed away on May 8, 1806.

Despite the struggles he faced later in life, Robert Morris’s contributions to America and the cause of liberty cannot be overstated. His role in financing the American Revolution is considered essential to the country’s success and his work in the Constitutional Convention and the United States Senate helped to establish the foundation for American democracy. Morris was a dedicated public servant and a visionary leader who worked tirelessly to establish a country that would be governed by the people, for the people.

Conclusion

Robert Morris was a successful businessman, a financial expert, and a dedicated public servant who played a vital role in the establishment of the United States of America. As the Superintendent of Finance for the Continental Congress, Morris helped to finance the American Revolution, and his contributions were essential to the ultimate success of the Patriots. He also played a significant role in the creation of the United States Constitution and helped to establish many of the policies and institutions that would guide the new government.

Morris’s legacy as a patriot, statesman, and visionary leader is still felt today, and his contributions to American democracy continue to be recognized and celebrated. His work helped to establish a country founded on the principles of liberty, democracy, and justice for all, and his dedication to these ideals will be remembered for generations to come.


Founding Father: Robert Morris

Robert Morris was born in Liverpool, England on January 20, 1734. When he was 13 years of age, he moved to Maryland to live with his father, a tobacco exporter in Oxford, Maryland.

After a little bit of schooling in Philadelphia, Robert Morris started working at Thomas and Charles Willing’s shipping-banking firm. In 1754, Robert became a partner after the death of Charles. For almost 40, years, Morris was a directory of the firm as well as an important Philadelphia citizen. At the age of 35, Robert Morris married Mary White, with whom he had five sons and two daughters.

During the Stamp Act was being considered by the British Parliament in 1765, Robert Morris joined other merchants to protest the act. However, he only really committed himself to the Revolution after more fighting started almost a decade later. In 1775, he set up a contract with Continental Congress to bring arms and ammunition into the country.

He was also elected to be the Pennsylvania council of safety between 1775 and 1776, the provincial assembly between 1775 and 1776, the legislature between 1776 and 1778, and the Continental Congress from 1775 to 1778. In the Continental Congress, Robert Morris voted against independence for the colonies on July 1, 1776. He thought it was too early for the colonies to be independent. However, the next day he did not vote on purpose in order to help by his approval.

As an important congressman, Robert Morris dealt with military and finance-related issues. Although he had made a lot of money from his firm, he may have had to quit if he did not have any contracts with the Continental Army. Morris worked very closely with General George Washington, borrowed supplies and money from the states, managed to borrowed money even when there was very little, and even took out personal loans to help the Revolutionary War.

After his time in Congress, Robert Morris stayed in the Pennsylvania legislature for two more terms. During this time, many others attacked him because they thought he was profiting in Congress. Even though he was not, it still hurt his reputation.

Robert Morris began the dramatic part of his career when he accepted the position of Superintendent of Finance from 1781 to 1784, which was under the Articles of Confederation. Morris cut all military and government expenditures, purchased army and navy supplies with his own money, kept a close eye on accounting, and sometimes used his personal credit to help. Later, he was re-elected for a term in the Pennsylvania legislature between 1785 and 1786. In 1789, he declined President Washington’s offer to be the first Secretary of the Treasury. Instead, he took a seat in the U.S. Senate for one term from 1789 to 1795.

In the later years of his life, was not very responsible with his money, and found himself being chased by creditors. He tried to hide by going to his estate called “The Hills,” but he turned himself soon after. He went to debtor’s prison until 1801 when he was released. Unfortunately by then, his money and property were gone, he was sick, and his spirit was broken. He lived in a small Philadelphia home on money that was given to his wife by Gouverneur Morris. Robert Morris passed away on May 8, 1806, at the age of 73.

Fun Facts about Robert Morris

•Robert Morris was born on January 20, making him a Capricorn.

•Robert Morris used his own up to create the Bank of North America, which was the very first government-incorporated bank in the country.

•He owned slaves that worked as servants in his home.

•His nickname is the “Financier of the Revolution”.