Diary & letters ..

Front matter

iiEETTERS^

CORNELL

UNIVERSITY

Preface

The desire which has been repeatedly expressed bypersons cognizant of its existence, that the important and interesting manuscript left by Gouverneur Morris should be brought to light — the portion buried in Mr. Jared Sparks's history as well as the .large and more piquant part excluded therefrom — induced me to undertake the work of editing the diary and letters of my grandfather.

The chief object I had in view was to put in such a form as might prove attractive to the public his letters and the notes which he daily jotted down during that most momentous epoch of modern history — the period of the Revolution in France.

With no political principles to advance or maintain, and with no hero of romance or of the sword upon whose merits to descant, my effort was simply to cull, from a voluminous manuscript, all the varied and striking incidents in the world of politics in the cabinet, and of society in the boudoir and salon ; and, by the light of the keen delineations of character, so full of the verve and essence of the moment, therein contained, to bring into strone relief the motives and actions of men and women.

IV PREFACE.

Americans will doubtless accord a ready sympathy to a man who was truly an American, and at a time when thus to proclaim his principles attested an independence careless of unpopularity. Possibly, too, our kindred over seas may find something of interest in the career of one who, though a rebel against England, spent the best years of his life assisting in the formation of a government under which the poor of the earth might find an asylum, and whose views were consistently " favorable to the peace and happiness of mankind."

Anne Gary Morris.

Old Morrisania, October, 1888.

Chapter I

Gouvemeur Morris. Birth. Education. Graduates at King's College. Studies law. Licensed to practise. Early development of a taste for finance. Takes an active part in the events which ended in the Declaration of Independence. Elected a member of the first Provincial Congress in 1775. Speaks on finance. Leads in debates in the New York Congress. Draws up instructions for Franklin, then Minister to France. Reports to Congress on the subject of a treaty with the British Commissioners. Practises law in Philadelphia. Appointed assistant to the Superintendent of Finance. Practises his profession after the war. Becomes known to the French Ministry through a letter written to the Marquis de Chastellux. A delegate to the Convention which formed the Constitution. Sails for France in 1788, I

Chapter II

Morris Lands at Havre. Goes to Paris. Letter to the French minister in America. State of Paris. Washington's commission. Letter to William Carmichael. Society life. Madame de Chastellux's salon and others. Paris on the eve of the Revolution. Madame de Beauharnais at home. Presented to Montmorin. Meets the Duchess of Orleans. M. de Malesherbes. Letter to the Marquis de la Luzerne. Madame de Tesse's Republican salon. Hurry of life in Paris. Lafayette's election in Auvergne. Paupers in Paris. Morris's busy life. Meets Madame de Flahaut. Pleasant days and evenings with charming women. Dines with Necker. Madame de Stael. Supper with the Baron de Besenval. Interview with the Marechal de Castries. Visit to the statues at the Louvre. A day of misfortunes, . . -19

CONTENTS.

Chapter III

Dearth of wheat at Lyons. Morris offers Necker a cargo. Graciousness of the Duchess of Orleans. Ladies vexed by long arguments in the salons. Ten thousand troops ordered out. Swiss guards within the barriers. Necker' s fall desired. Tete-a-tete dish of tea with Madame de Segur. King and princes oppose liberty. Political talk with the Bishop of Autun. Makes a plan of finance for France. Advises the massing of the Swiss guards round the king's person. Election excitements. A water-party on the Seine. An eventful day at Versailles. Meeting of the States-General. Magnificent spectacle. Mirabeau hissed. The Duke of Orleans applauded. Visit to Marly. Madame du Barry. Madame de Segur at her toilet. Petit-Trianon Gardens. Madame de Suze's lapdog, . . . . . . • 5 ^

Chapter IV

Morris surprised at Parisian manners and customs. Tea in the Palais Royal. Visit to Romainville. M. de Beaujolais. Morris writes verses to the Duchess of Orleans. Careless driving. Made a member of the Club of Valois. Interviews with Judges. Note on the tobacco contracts. The Dauphin's death. States-General more than ever embroiled. Morris stands for Houdon's statue of Washington. Strictures on the Bishop d' Autun. Visit to Raincy. The clergy join the Tiers. The Salle des Menus closed. Bath in the Tennis Court. Great excitement in Paris. Morris's sentiments quoted. His interest in France. Necker offers to resign. The mob at Versailles. Inflammatory publications at the Palais Royal. The nobles join the other orders. Revolt among the guards. The Abbaye broken open. The king terrified, 85

Chapter V

Grain under convoy. Tumult in Paris. Fourth of July dinner. Visit to Romainville. Bread scarce. Paris gay. The administration routed and Necker banished. M. de Narbonne. Mobs in the streets. Armorers' shops broken open. Scenes in the Palais Royal Gardens. Terrible night in Paris. The Hotel de Force broken into. Morris dons the green bow. No carriages allowed in the streets. Affairs at Versailles. A cry for arms. Carriages stopped and searched. The Bastille taken. Madame de Flahaut's salon. M. de Launay. Carnival at Versailles. The Bastille in ruins. The king comes to Paris and dons the red and blue cockade. The procession, . . .111

CONTENTS. vii

Chapter VI

Dinner at Madame de Flahaut's. Artists' studios. Dinner with Lafayette. Visit to the Bastille. The Club. Foulon's head carried through the streets. Making up a foreign mail. Madame de Montmorin. Ideas respecting a constitution for France. Asked to consult with the ministers. Passport for London. Journey to England. Beggars. Impressions of England, ........ 133

Chapter VII

London. The Haymarket Theatre. The Marquis de la Luzerne. Trumbull. The refugees. Lady Dunmore. The Cosways. Hop. Mrs. Damer. Society duties. Strictures on society. Sail on the Thames. Downe Place. Returns to Paris. Critical state of affairs. Madame de Tesse. Lafayette. Public opinion sets against the National Assembly. Finances. Scarcity of bread. The Flanders Regiment. Social life. Prepares a memorandum on subsistence. The queen. Madame de Flahaut. The banners blessed. The opera. Resistance to authority among the bakers. Versailles. Question on the finances. Mirabeau speaks in the Assembly. Meets Madame de Stael. Conversation with Madame de Flahaut. Asked to furnish flour for Paris, 145

CHAPTER VIIL

The feast at Versailles. Consternation at Paris. Morris urges Lafayette to attach himself to the king's party. Disturbance in Paris. Church property discussed. Expedition to Versailles proposed in the Palais Royal Gardens. Excited state of the people. Carriages stopped in the streets. Agonizing night at Versailles. The royal family brought to Paris. The heads of the Body-guard carried through the streets. The royal family installed at the Tuileries. Despatches opened by the mob. Clermont de Tonnerre. The Comte de Narbonne and Madame de Stael. Dinner at Lafayette's. Conversation with Lafayette on the situation of France. Mirabeau. Madame de Chastellux's salon. The Duchess of Orleans. The Bishop of Autun reads a motion to be presented to the Assembly. A ministry arranged, . . . . ■ '"°

Chapter IX

Deputies demand passports. The streets alive with disorderly characters. Houses marked for destruction. Unsafe to walk about Paris. Necker viii CONTENTS.

sombre and depressed. Madame de Stael's salon. The Duke of Orleans leaves for England. Morris calls on Necker, and suggests the idea of raising the price of bread. Letter to Lafayette. The Duke of Orleans is stopped at Boulogne. News of insurrections. Conversation in Madame de Flahaut's salon about intended changes in the ministry. Lafayette commits a blunder in offering himself to Mirabeau. The Cardinal de Rohan. Flour to be imported from America. Graphic letter to Robert Morris. Madame de Flahaut disconsola te over the reduction in pensions, ........ 187

Chapter X

Denis Frangois accused of secreting bread and beheaded. Paris abandoned to cruelty and violence. Martial law passed by the Assembly. The Duke of Orleans liberated. He goes to England. At the club. Chit-chat in Madame de Flahaut's salon. Belgrade surrenders. Anecdote of the 5th of October. Clermont de Tonnerre proposes going to America. Morris asked his plan for restoring order to France. Necker unable to cope with the difficulties. Dinner at Madame Necker's. Talk about Lafayette's connection with Mirabeau and with Necker on plans for subsistence. News from Flanders. Asked to take part in the administration of affairs. Dines with the Duchess of Orleans. Takes the Bishop of Autun to visit Lafayette. The Assembly suspends the parlements. Criticisms on the society in Madame de Stael's salon. Lively dinner conversation with Madame de Stael, 200

CHAPTER XL

Exodus from the ranks of society. Many closed salons. Changed state of feeling. Necker's "plan" for the Caisse d'Escompte. The Pope quarrels with the farmers-general. Opposition to Necker. Mirabeau describes the Assembly. Lafayette's ambition. A tedious session. Interview with Necker. Tea at Madame de Laborde's. Plan for dealing with the American debt to France. Necker converses on the constitution then preparing. The Bishop d'Autun asks advice as to speaking in the Assembly. A rumor that he is to be appointed American Minister to the Court of Louis XVI. An evening in Madame de Sta I's salon. Tact of the hostess. Clermont-Tonnerre reads a discourse. Necker speculates as to the issue of one hundred and thirty millions of paper money. The Abbe Delille reads his own verses in Madame de Chastellux's drawing-room, ..... 227

CONTENTS.

Chapter XII

The opera. Gardell and Vestris. Strictures on the character of the people of France. The Caisse Patriotique opened. Paris gay with uniforms. People sacrifice their jewels for the public benefit. Morris disapproves of Necker's plan of finance. Resolutions passed in the Assembly which aflect Protestants. The public debt. The king's brother goes to the Commons. Monsieur and the Favras conspiracy. Lafayette intriguing deeply. Morris makes punch for the society at Madame de Vannoise's. His first suggestion of settling the banks of the St. Lawrence. Asked for information about America. Ceremony of saluting the ladies with a kiss on New Year's eve, . 250

CHAPTER Xm.

Comparison between the newspapers of 1777 and 1789. New Year's salutations. Scene at the Chatelet. Madame de Flahaut's boudoir. Stoppage of pensions. Lively discussion thereon in Madame de Stael's salon. Visit to the Comte de Chastellux. Message from the Parlement of Brittany. Morris examines table - ornaments for Washington. Decree in the Assembly concerning office-liolding. Adherence to the constitution required. Riot in Paris. A handsome surtout for the table sent to Washington. Need of cultivating the taste of America. The Duchess of Orleans obliged to economize. The Cardinal de Rohan. The Bishop of Orleans. Marmontel. Letter to Washington. Morris writes a note on the situation of affairs for the king. Delivered to the queen by her physician. Anecdote of the king. He goes to the Assembly. Conversation with Lafayette, 262

Chapter XIV

Journey to Antwerp. Brussels. Reflections on the state of Flanders. Vanderhoot's committee. Notes on the cathedral and galleries of Antwerp. Supper at M. Cornelison's. Agreeable society of Antwerp. Notes during the journey to Amsterdam. Evening in Madame Bost's salon. Political discussions. Force of the Dutch navy. Scene on the Merchants' Exchange at Amsterdam. News from France of Necker's resignation. The Hague. The churches at Delft. Crosses to England. Interview with the Duke of Leeds on the treaty and despatch of a minister to the United States. News from Paris. Pointed opposition to Necker. Visits Sir John Sinclair. Letter to

CONTENTS.

Colonel Ternant. Meets Fox at dinner. Mrs. Jordan at Drury Lane Theatre. Warren Hastings's trial. Criticism on Burke and Fox. Brilliant ball at Mrs. John B. Church's, . . . • . 296

Chapter XV

Keticence of the Duke of Leeds. Morris's letter to the duke. Letter to Washington. Undertakes to negotiate for the sale of American estates. Miss Farren. The impressment of American seamen. Interview with the Duke of Leeds. Presented to Pitt. Long interview with Pitt and the Duke of Leeds relative to the treaty of commerce, non-payment of money due by the English Government to American land-owners, evacuation of the frontier-posts, etc. The Hastings trial. News from Paris. The National Assembly vote the king an allowance. Abolition of the nobility. The Duke of Orleans in a " whimsical " situation. Great fete of the federation. Letter to William Short at Paris. Strictures on the young men of London. Rise of the Jacobins in Paris. Lafayette's position insecure, . .321

Chapter XVI

Various undertakings in Europe. Dulness of card-playing in England. Washington approves of Morris's communications with the ministers. Letter to Washington on PVench affairs. Interview with the Duke of Leeds. Continental tour before returning to Paris. Civilities from persons to whom he had letters. Difficulties of travel in 1790. Uncomfortable inns and bad roads. Interview with Baron de Dolberg. Paris again. Flatteringly received by the Comte de Montmorin. Morris presents a dog to the Duchess of Orleans. The Due de Castries's hotel pillaged. M. de Flahaut wishes to go to America as minister. The play of "Brutus." Much excitement in the theatre. Dines with the Garde des Sceaux. Apprehends a plot of the Emperor for liberating the queen and restoring the former government. , Criticises the new constitution. Gives his opinion of the condition of affairs to Lafayette. The last months of 1790, . . . 342

Chapter XVII

Another trip to London. Stiffness of English society. Annoying indifference of the Duke of Leeds to American interests. Returns to Paris. Dines with the Duchess of Orleans. Ternant appointed Minister Plenipotentiary to the United States. Conversation with M. de

CONTENTS. xi

Segur. M. de Montmorin wishes Morris appointed Minister from the United States. Asked to confer with the Committee of Commerce. Dines wi^h Lafayette. Dines with Marmontel. Lafayette vexed. TMadame de Nadaillac. Tlie "farm "abolished by the Assembly. The tobacco decrees. Desired to write a letter on them. Letter to Washington thereupon. Some details of the affair of October 5th at Versailles. Disturbance in Languedoc. Trepidation of the Bishop of Autun. Great tumult in Paris. Conversation with Madame de Nadaillac. The Chateau during the riot. Lafayette confesses the guards were drunk. Morris's advice to him, . . 369

CHAPTER XVIIL

The queen intriguing with Mirabeau. Morris's impressions of the Abbe Maury. Madame de Nadaillac' s salon. Madame de Tesse converted to Morris's political principles. Vicq d'Azyr's eulogy of Franklin. Morris takes supper with Condorcet. Paris illuminated. First introduction to Lady Sutherland. Conversation with the Abbe Maury. Death of Mirabeau. Discusses with Montmorin Mirabeau's successor. Mirabeau's impressive funeral. Strictures on his character. Robespierre comes to the front. Morris predicts to M. de Montmorin the speedy dissolution of the present Assembly. A visit from Paine. Madame de Nadaillac talks of religion and duty. Madame de Flahaut asks advice as to marriage. Morris prepares a note for the king on the rations for the French marine. Madame de Stael reads her tragedy " Montmorenci. " Morris gives her some advice. Brilliant society in her salon, ....... 389

Chapter XIX

Shows M. de Montmorin draught of a letter devised as an answer from the king to the department. The entours of the king resign. Resignation of Lafayette. Sketch of European politics in a letter to Mr. Inglis, of London. A republic becoming fashionable. Lady Sutherland's graciousness. Lafayette accepts the position of head of the National Guards. Montesquiou asks Morris how to amend the constitution. Celebration of the suppression of the octroi. Conversation with Montmorin. Madame de Nadaillac's coquettish character. Morris suggests to several ladies positions near the queen. Madame de Flahaut expects one soon. Montmorin weary of the situation. Visit to Madame de Nadaillac, . . . . .. . • . . 406 xii CONTENTS.

Chapter XX

A visit to St. Cloud. Departure for England. Visit to thi Duchess of Orleans at Eu. London. The escape from the Tuileries and capture at Metz. Morris returns to France. The Assembly intend to cover the king's flight. Madame de Lafayette greatly excited. Conversation with M. de Montmorin. Dinner vpith the Americans in Paris on the Fourth of July. The fite of Voltaire. The king's nature discussed. Decree passed declaring the inviolability of the king. Lady Sutherland's drawing-room. What passed in the Champ de Mars. The mob fired on. Society frightened and within doors. Letter to Robert Morris. The Idng's aunts harangue the people of Rome on the king's escape. Morris meets Lord Palmerston. Pronounces the French Constitution ridiculous. Consultation between M. de Montmorin and Morris. Morris draws up ^mlmoire for the king. Madame de Stael and the Constitution. Her opinion of the mlmoire Morris had prepared for the king. The Constitution presented to the king, ......... 425

CHAPTER XXL

Convinced that Montmorin withheld the menwife until the king had accepted the Constitution. Lady Hamilton. Festival of the adoption of the Constitution. The opera. The king and queen received with applause. Paris illuminated. Letter to Washington on the king and the Constitution. A coalition dinner with Madaine de Stael. The current of opinion against dropping the king's titles. Sire and Majeste. A reaction in favor of the king. Supper at Madame de Guibert's. Long conversation with Montmorin, who says he can trust no one but Morris. M. de Moustier attests Morris's favor with their majesties. What passed between the King of Prussia and the Emperor at Pilnitz. The Duke of Orleans declares his bankruptcy. Much struggling for offices in Paris. Moustier thinks Morris mistaken about the Constitution. M. de Montmorin declares war against the newspapers, . . . . , . . .451

CHAPTER XXH.

Desired to converse about subsistence at a royalist dinner. M. de Molleville tells him he has proposed him as Minister of Foreign Affairs. Distress of the Montmorin family. Narbonne, Madame de Stael, and the ministry. Supper at Lady Sutherland's. Morris gives a

CONTENTS. xiii

dinner. M. de Narbonne finally appointed Minister of War. Vicq d'Azyr says the queen wishes Morris's ideas in writing on the decree against the princes. Dinner at the British ambassador's. Preville at the Comedie Fran9aise. Sketching a form of government for France. Writes a philippic against the chefs des ripulilicains. Letter to Robert Morris on the failure to effect a commercial treaty with Great Britain. Washington nominates Morris for the mission to France. Confirmed by a very small majority in the Senate. The king in high spirits. Letter to Washington on the paper circulation of France and the general anarchy. The Bishop of Autun to go to England. The Jacobins discover a plan for violent change of the Constitution. Morris prepares for a journey to England. Message from the queen, 476

CHAPTER XXIIL

Morris goes to England. Suspicions aroused by the suddenness of his departure. A political significance given to it. Letter to Washington from London. Morris hears in London of his appointment as Minister to France and receives his credentials. Letter to Robert Morris on the difficulties attending the mission to France. Dines with the Count de Woronzow. Paine's new publication. An evening with the Duchess of Gordon. Conversation with Woronzow. Bishop of Autun' s mission to England. Letter to Washington on this subject. Mrs. Damer's studio. She is at work on a statue of the king. Morris writes a verse on her art, .... JOI

CHAPTER XXIV.

Morris returns to Paris. Hears rumors that he will not be received in his diplomatic capacity. Makes arrangements to fulfil the requirements of his position. News from the armies. Madame de Tarente asks of Morris advice for the queen. Interview with the Minister of Foreign Affairs. Conversation with Moustier. Disorder in the armies. The king disarms his guard. Morris is presented to the king. Letter to Jefferson. Dines with Dumouriez. Sudden change in the ministry. Jeu de la Reine. Much movement in Paris. Guard marching under Morris's windows. Monciel asks his advice in this crisis. The deputation from the faubourgs fill the Chateau and insult the queen. Morris goes to Court. The king receives a part of the militia. Lafayette arrives at Paris. Addresses the Assembly. The queen polite to Morris, 5^9

XIV CONTENTS.

CHAPTER XXV.

Condition of Europe in July, 1792. Letter to Jefiferson. Morris opens his liouse. Tells Montmorin that the king should leave Paris. Morris prepares memoires for the king. Paris terrified by riots. The king and queen distressed and in great apprehension. They expect to be murdered at the Chateau. Morris goes to Court. Very hot weather. Great agitation in Paris. Musketry ushers in August loth. The Chateau undefended is carried and the Swiss guards murdered. The king and queen are in the National Assembly. Morris's house filled with frightened people. The ambassadors leave Paris. Morris stays at his post. He tells Clavi^re that he has no powers to treat with the new government. Morris's house searched. Murders continue. Letter to Jefferson describing the Revolution, . . 551

CHAPTER XXVL

Lafayette refuses to obey the Assembly. Leaves Fiance and is captured. King and queen are imprisoned in the Temple. Disorder reigns in Paris. Murders continue. Morris hears that the Brissotine faction desire to do him mischief. Letter to Washington, The dangers of living in Paris. Trials of Morris's position. Retreat of the Prussians. Apprehension of a famine. Taking of Nice. An.Nious uncertainty of Morris's life. Letter to Jefferson on the state of affairs. Letters to friends assuring them of his well-being. DifiSculty of sending letters safely. Letter to Alexander Hamilton. Moms becomes aware that the French Government desire his recall, . . . 586

THE DIARY AND LETTERS

OF

GOUVERNEUR MORRIS.

Chapter I

Gouvemeur Morris. Birth. Education. Graduates at King's College. Studies law. Licensed to practise. Early development of a taste for finance. Takes an active part in the events which ended in the Declaration of Independence. Elected a member of the first Provincial Congress in 1775. Speaks on finance. Leads in debates in the New York Congress. Draws up instructions for Franklin, then Minister to France. Reports to Congress on the subject of a treaty with the British Commissioners. Practises law in Philadelphia. Appointed assistant to the Superintendent of Finance. Practises his profession after the war. Becomes known to the French Ministry through a letter written to the Marquis de Chastellux. A delegate to the Convention which formed the Constitution. Sails for France in 1788.

GOUVERNEUR MORRIS was born at Morrisania— to quote the record made by his father in the family- Bible — "On the 31 of January about lialf an hour after one of the Clock in the morning, in the year 1752, according to the alteration of the style, by act of Parliament, and was christened the 4 of May 1754, and given his mother's name." Gouverneur's father probably discovered signs of unusual promise in the boy ; for in his will, which is dated November 19, 1760, is the following request : " It is my desire that my son, Gouverneur Morris, may have the best education that is to be had in England or America." Lewis Morris died when his son was twelve years old, and I the care of his education, in consequence, devolved upon his mother. Great pains were taken that his training should be of a kind to fit him for any career that might open for him.

When quite a child he was placed in the family of Monsieur Tetar, at New Rochelle ; and here he laid the foundation of a thorough knowledge of the French language, which, in after life, he spoke and wrote with much fluency and correctness. In 1768 Morris graduated at King's College (now Columbia), and immediately after graduating he studied law in the office of William Smith, afterwards Chief Justice of the Province of New York, but better known as Colonial historian of the State.

The bar was undoubtedly the profession where the qualities of Morris's mind, his vigorous and penetrating intelligence, were most likely to excel. His elocution was animated and persuasive, his voice sonorous and pleasing, his figure tall and exceedingly graceful ; all the attributes of an orator seemed to have fallen to his share. Ambitious to excel, full of hope, with perfect confidence in his own powers, and therefore entire self-possession, it was possible for him to say, with all sincerit}', that in his intercourse with men he never knew the sensations of fear, embarrassment, or inferiority.

Licensed to practise as an attorney-at-law full three months before he was twenty, in 1771, his ambition was to make for himself a distinguished position at the Colonial bar. Two years before this a series of anonymous articles on finance, occasioned by a plan proposed in the Assembly of New York to issue paper money, appeared in a newspaper. They all attracted much attention — but particularly one deprecating the evil of a paper currency as mischievous in its effects and wrong in principle, and only a means of postponing the day of payment, which

I77S] GOUVERNEUR MORRIS. 3

should be met by substantial funds, collected from the province.

His studies completed and his admission to the bar secured, Morris's thoughts and desires turned toward Europe and foreign travel. " To rub off in the gay circles of foreign life a few of those many barbarisms which characterize a provincial education ; to form some acquaintances that may hereafter be of service to me, to model myself after some persons who cut a figure in the law," were some of the reasons he gave his friend William Smith for wishing to go abroad. In further excuse of the scheme he says : " I have somehow or other been so hurried through the different scenes of childhood and youth, that I have still some time left to pause before I tread the great stage of life, and you know how much our conduct there depends upon the mode of our education. It is needless to add that my inclinations have taken part in the debate." His friend evidently saw serious difiSculties in the way — principally pecuniary, for he told him that his mother must give up much before he could have his wish, and advised him, even when the guineas lay at his feet, to "think ! think ! think !" The voyage was abandoned for the time, and for the next three years Morris applied himself closely to his profession.

These were stirring times, the colonies and the mother country were disputing, a rupture was imminent, the port of Boston was already closed. His aristocratic relations, rather than, as is generally supposed, his Tory antecedents, led him to advocate a reconciliation rather than a break with the mother country, and in June, 1775, when this question occupied a large share of the attention of the Provincial Congress of New York, he was made a member of a committee to draft a plan to settle all difficulties with Great Britain. In a paper written in 1774 he says : " Taxation is the chief bar, and a safe compact seems in my poor opinion to be now tendered — internal taxation to be left with ourselves. Reunion between the two countries is essential to both — I say essential. It is for the interest of all men to seek reunion with the parent State. The spirit of the English constitution has yet a little influence left, and but a little. The remains of it will give the wealthy people a superiority this time, but would they secure it, they must banish all schoolmasters, and confine all knowledge to themselves. This cannot be — the mob begin to think — the gentry begin to fear this — their committee will be appointed — they will deceive the people and again forfeit a share of their confidence. And if these are instances of what with one side is policy, with the other perfidy, farewell aristocracy. I see, and I see it with fear and trembling, that if the disputes with Britain continue, we shall be under the worst of all possible dominions — the dominion of a riotous mob ! " When the crisis finally came, Morris, illustrating the justice of Madison's subsequent eulogy of him, namely, that " to the brilliancy of his genius was added what is too rare, a candid surrender of his opinions, when the lights of discussion satisfied him," came promptly forward to aid his country in the struggle, and from that moment he was to be found among the patriots who were bravest and most constant. He was already an expert in finance, and at once rendered most efficient service in drawing up a plan to raise money for the expenses of the army, and other military operations. This subject was one of the first and most important which occupied the attention of the members of the first Provincial Congress of New York, to which he was elected a member in 1775. The extent of his knowledge of this exceedingly intricate subject surprised his fellow-workers on the committee, and when the report was read, before a large audience of interested persons, he spoke with a remarkable force and eloquence. His dignity and persuasive manner stronglyappealed to the sympathy of his audience, and the young orator of twenty-three carried off the honors of the day. The report as it came from his pen was forwarded to the Continental Congress and adopted without amendment or change.

Matters had by this time come to such a pass, between England and her colonies, that in May of this year, 1776, the Continental Congress recommended to the various assemblies and conventions of the colonies, the adoption of such regular constitutions and forms of government as might best suit their several needs. In the third New York Congress, then assembled, Morris took the lead in the debates relative to the adoption of a new form of government. The Tory element in the Congress still feared to take any decided step that might show absolute disloyalty to the King. And among the many wealthy families owning large estates and with Tory proclivities, there was still a hope of at least a patched-up reconciliation with Great Britain. Up to this time, indeed, the question of independence had seemed scarcely a serious one. But Morris earnestly favored in the Congress the formation of a new government. He believed that the time had come to take such a step ; that the dignity of a free people had been outraged by the oppressions of England; that to submit longer would be a crime against justice and a mockery of liberty. Fragments of a speech made by him during the course of the debates still exist, in which he touched upon the already hackneyed theme of reconciliation as the phantom which had long deluded the fancy of his associates in the Congress. "A connection with Great Britain cannot exist, and independence is absolutely necessary. . . . We run a hazard in one path I con-