Virtual Museum of Art | Virtual Museum of History | Virtual Public Library | Virtual Science Center | Virtual Museum of Natural History | Virtual War Museum
   You are in: Museum of History >> Hall of USA >> Declaration of Independence >> Robert Morris





The Seven Flags of the New Orleans Tri-Centennial

For More Information go to New Orleans 300th Birthday


 


Robert Morris

Signer of the Declaration of Independence

 

ROBERT MORRIS was born January 31, 1734 in Liverpool, England. At the age of thirteen, he left England and joined his father of the same name, who was engaged in the exportation of tobacco on the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland. The boy was sent to Philadelphia, where he had slight schooling, and soon was placed in the counting house of Charles Willing, a wealthy Philadelphia merchant. By his diligence and activity he grew in favor and commanded confidence. After the death of Mr. Willing, he was taken into partnership by the latter's son, Thomas, and this connection was maintained until 1793. At the beginning of he Revolution the firm of Willing and Morris was one of the largest and most prosperous among the commercial houses of Philadelphia. Although he was strongly attached to Britian, in 1765 he joined in the opposition to the Stamp Act.


Stockton was large in person, frequently afflicted with asthma, agreeable and lavishly hospitable in private life> He was more respected and feared as a public man than he was liked. On March 2, 1769, Robert married twenty year old Mary White, who was described as "elegant, accomplished, and rich, and well qualified to carry the felicity of connubial life to its highest perfection." In 1775 he was elected to the Second Continental Congress and on July 1, 1776, he voted against the Declaration of Independence, holding out for reconciliation because he considered that "it was an improper time". On July 4, 1776, he declined to vote. Yet on August 2, Robert Morris signed the Declaration, pronouncing that "I am not one of those politicians that run testy when my own plans are not adopted. I think it is the duty of a good citizen to follow when he cannot lead." 

When hostilities began, his services became more and more valuable. As a member of the committee of ways and means he worked hard, and gave to the government the full benefit of his credit. Without Morris's help the campaigns of 1780 would have been impossible. In 1779, he supplied General Nathanael Green with munitions of war, and in 1780 he raised $1,400,000 to assist Washington in the movement that resulted in the capture of Yorktown. In February 1781, he was unanimously elected superintendent of finance. As superintendent of finance, he slashed all governmental and military expenditures, personally purchased army and navy supplies, strengthened accounting procedures, urged the states to fulfill quotas of money and supplies, and when necessary used his personal credit by issuing notes over his own signature or borrowing from friends.  

In December 1781, when the financial situation had become desperate, the government being $2,500,000 in debt, he organized the Bank of North America, subscribing $10,000. The bank was incorporated by congress December 31, 1781 and went into operation January 7, 1782, with a capital of $400,000. It was the first financial institution chartered by the United States.

In 1787 he was a member of the Constitutional Convention and signed the Constitution for Pennsylvania. From 1789 to 1795 he served as a member of the first U. S. Senate from Pennsylvania.  When the new government was organized, he was offered the post of secretary of the treasury, but declined, recommending Alexander Hamilton. In partnership with Gouverneur Morris, he went largely into the East India and China trade. His speculations ultimately failed, and in 1798 he was arrested for debt.  

He had sought refuge from is creditors in his country place, ‘The Hills' on the Schuylkill River, but he was arrested and was confined to the Prunestreet prison, Philadelphia, from February 1798, until liberated by the passage of the national bankrupt law in 1802. When misfortune had overtaken him, Mary showed herself a true wife. Through certain interests in the Holland Land Company, bequeathed to her by Gouverneur Morris, she obtained from that corporation a life annuity of $2,000 before she would sign certain papers to which her signature was indispensable. During her husband's imprisonment Mrs. Morris received an autograph letter signed by both President and Martha Washington, addressed to her while residing temporarily at Winchester,Va., urging her to pay them a visit at Mount Vernon, and to make as long a stay under "our roof as you shall find convenient; for be assured we ever have, and still do retain the most affectionate regard for you, Mr. Morris and the family." Mrs. Morris continued to reside in Philadelphia, and on her husband's release he found shelter in the home that her decision and forethought had secured for him. Robert Morris's last five years, until his death on May 8, 1806 at the age of seventy-two were passed in obscure retirement. 

 



Autograph letter signed "Robt Morris," dated Philadelphia, 9th March 1798, to John Nicholson, his partner in speculating, from debtors' prison. "The enclosed letters of the 7th from the trustees came hither last night. It appears that they grow sore under your letters and I confess that the reply as to Oden I expected after taking a copy. I suppose you will return this letter with such remarks as may occur."  Docketed by Nicholson, who apparently had no remarks to make. Morris and Nicholson had speculated heavily in land together, but when the bottom fell out of their North American Land Company venture, Morris was left penniless and deep in debt. His letters from jail are scarce.



Source: Centennial Book of Signers

For a High-resolution version of the Stone Engraving  

For a High-resolution version of the Original Declaration of Independence

We invite you to read a transcription of the complete text of the Declaration as presented by the National Archives.

&

 

The article "The Declaration of Independence: A History," which provides a detailed account of the Declaration, from its drafting through its preservation today at the National Archives.  

   

Virtualology  welcomes the addition of web pages with historical documents and/or scholarly papers on this subject.  To submit a web link to this page  CLICK HERE.  Please be sure to include the above name, your name, address, and any information you deem appropriate with your submission.

 

Click Here to return to Rebels with of Vision



 

MORRIS, Robert, signer of the Declaration of Independence, born in Liverpool, England, 20 January, 1734; died in Philadelphia, 8 May, 1806. When he was about thirteen years of age he came to this country with his father, and soon after his arrival he was placed in the counting-house of Charles Willing, a wealthy Philadelphia merchant. By his diligence and activity he grew in favor and commanded confidence. After the death of Mr. Willing he was taken into partnership by the latter's son, Thomas, in 1734, and this connection was maintained until 1793. 

At the beginning of the Revolution the firm of Willing and Morris was one of the largest and most prosperous among the commercial houses of Philadelphia. Although he was warmly attached to the mother-country, Morris opposed the Stamp-Act; and, although it was contrary to his business interests, he signed the non-importation agreement of 1765. In 1775 he was sent as a delegate to the Continental congress, and while serving in that capacity he voted, 1 July, 1776, against the Declaration of Independence, and on 2nd and 4th July declined to vote. But when the Declaration was adopted on August 2, 1776 he appended his name. 

He was re-elected to congress in 1777, and again in 1778. When hostilities began, his services became more and more valuable. As member of the committee of ways and means he worked hard, and gave to the government the full benefit of his credit. Without Morris's help the campaigns of 1780 would have been impossible. In the former year he supplied General Nathanael Green with munitions of war, and in the latter year he raised $1,400,000 to assist Washington in the movement that resulted in the capture of Yorktown. 

In February, 1781, he was unanimously elected superintendent of finance. In December of the same year, when the financial situation had become desperate, the government being $2,500,000 in debt, he organized the Bank of North America, subscribing $10,000. The bank was incorporated by congress, 31 December, 1781, and went into operation, 7 January, 1782, with a capital of 8400,000. Morris resigned his post as superintendent of finance in January, 1783, tired of the continual worry and excitement, but he was induced to continue until November, 1784, when he retired. The bank charter was annulled by the Pennsylvania legislature in the last-named year, but Morris was successful in having it renewed in 1786. 

In the latter year he was elected a member of the Pennsylvania legislature, and in 1787 he was a member of the convention that framed the United States constitution. On 1 October, 1788. he was elected a member of the first United States senate, which post he retained till 1795. When the new government was organized, he was offered the post of secretary of the treasury, but declined, recommending Alexander Hamilton

In partnership with Gouverneur Morris, he went largely into the East India and China trade. His speculations ultimately failed, and he spent several years in a debtor's cell. As a speaker and writer Morris was fluent and ready. See "Life of Morris," by Daniel Gould (Boston, 1834); and "Financial Administration of Robert Morris," by A. S. Bolles (1878). His letters are printed in Jared Sparks's " Diplomatical Correspondence of the American Revolution" (12 vols., 1829-'30).


Click on an image to view full-sized

--His wife, Mary, was the daughter of Thomas White, who came to this country from London in early life and settled on the eastern shore of Maryland. After the death of White's first wife he removed to Philadelphia, and married a widow named Newman, who resided in Burlington, New Jersey By her he had a son and a daughter. The former was named William, and became the second bishop of the Protestant Episcopal church in the United States. Mary, the elder of the two children, married Robert Morris, 2 March, 1769, when she was a little over twenty years of age. She has been described as "elegant, accomplished, and rich, and well qualified to carry the felicity of connubial life, to its highest perfection." Not only did she preside gracefully over her husband's luxurious home during his days of prosperity, but, when misfortune had overtaken him, she showed herself a true wife. 

Through certain interests in the Holland land company, bequeathed to her by Gouverneur Morris, she obtained from that corporation a life annuity of $2,000 before she would sign certain papers to which her signature was indispensable. Robert Morris was confined in the Prune street prison, Philadelphia, from February, 1798, until liberated by the passage of the national bankrupt law in 1802. During her husband's imprisonment Mrs. Morris received an autograph letter signed by both President and Martha Washington, addressed to her while residing temporarily at Winchester, Virginia, urging her to pay them a visit at Mount Vernon, and to make as long a stay under "our roof as you shall find convenient ; for be assured we ever have, and still do retain, the most affectionate regard for you, Mr. Morris, and the family." Mrs. Morris continued to reside in Philadelphia, and on her husband's release he found shelter in the home that her decision and forethought had secured for him.

--His grandson, Henry W. Morris, naval officer, born in New York city in 1806: died there, 14 August, 1863, was the son of Thomas, a member of the New York bar, and at one time United States marshal for the southern district of the state of New York. He entered the navy, 21 August, 1819, and from 1828 till 1838, under the commission of lieutenant, served in various posts. From 1839 till 1845 he was on special duty in New York city, passing through six degrees of official promotion during the term of six years. He was then appointed to the command of the store-ship "Southampton," at that time belonging to the African squadron. In 1846 he was again ordered to the Brooklyn navy-yard, where for the next five years he was awaiting orders. In the mean time he was promoted commander, and in 1851 was appointed to the charge of the rendezvous in New York until 1853, when he was ordered to the sloop-of-war "Germantown," of the Brazilian squadron. In 1855 he was transferred to the Mediterranean station, where he served as fleet-captain under Commander Stringham. Upon his return to the United States, in 1856, he received his commission as captain. 

Toward the close of 1861 he superintended the construction of the steam sloop-of-war "Pensacola" at Washington navy-yard. In January, 1862, that vessel, under his command, successfully passed the line of Confederate batteries on the Potomac, and, after anchoring a short time in Hampton roads, set sail to join the blockading squadron in the Gulf of Mexico. The " Pensacola" played a brilliant part in all the attacks upon Fort Jackson and Fort St. Philip, and upon the Chalmetre batteries. After the capture of New Orleans, Commander Morris was entrusted with the duty of holding the city and guarding the adjacent coasts. But his health became seriously affected, and he was persuaded to come to the north to recruit his strength, and died soon after his arrival. He was made commodore, 16 July, 1862.

Control Number NWDNS-148-CD-14-39
Media Photographs and graphic materials
Descr. Level Item
Record Group 148
Series CD
Item 14-39
Title Morris, Robert (bust)
Sample Record(s) (larger access file - 91405 bytes)
Format black & white.
Record Type/Genre Paintings
Variant Control# REVWAR #101
Contributors Artist, C.W. Peale
See Also Series Description
Subject Ref. Portraits of Colonial Patriots; Revolutionary War
Items 1 image(s)
Contact Still Pictures Branch (NWDNS), National Archives at College Park, 8601 Adelphi Road, College Park, MD 20740-6001 PHONE: 301-713-6660 FAX: 301-713-7436

Start your search on Robert Morris.


The Congressional Evolution of the United States Henry Middleton


Unauthorized Site: This site and its contents are not affiliated, connected, associated with or authorized by the individual, family, friends, or trademarked entities utilizing any part or the subject's entire name. Any official or affiliated sites that are related to this subject will be hyper linked below upon submission and Evisum, Inc. review.

Copyright© 2000 by Evisum Inc.TM. All rights reserved.
Evisum Inc.TM Privacy Policy

Search:

About Us

 

 

Image Use

Please join us in our mission to incorporate The Congressional Evolution of the United States of America discovery-based curriculum into the classroom of every primary and secondary school in the United States of America by July 2, 2026, the nation’s 250th birthday. , the United States of America: We The People Click Here

 

Historic Documents

Articles of Association

Articles of Confederation 1775

Articles of Confederation

Article the First

Coin Act

Declaration of Independence

Declaration of Independence

Emancipation Proclamation

Gettysburg Address

Monroe Doctrine

Northwest Ordinance

No Taxation Without Representation

Thanksgiving Proclamations

Mayflower Compact

Treaty of Paris 1763

Treaty of Paris 1783

Treaty of Versailles

United Nations Charter

United States In Congress Assembled

US Bill of Rights

United States Constitution

US Continental Congress

US Constitution of 1777

US Constitution of 1787

Virginia Declaration of Rights

 

Historic Events

Battle of New Orleans

Battle of Yorktown

Cabinet Room

Civil Rights Movement

Federalist Papers

Fort Duquesne

Fort Necessity

Fort Pitt

French and Indian War

Jumonville Glen

Manhattan Project

Stamp Act Congress

Underground Railroad

US Hospitality

US Presidency

Vietnam War

War of 1812

West Virginia Statehood

Woman Suffrage

World War I

World War II

 

Is it Real?



Declaration of
Independence

Digital Authentication
Click Here

 

America’s Four Republics
The More or Less United States

 
Continental Congress
U.C. Presidents

Peyton Randolph

Henry Middleton

Peyton Randolph

John Hancock

  

Continental Congress
U.S. Presidents

John Hancock

Henry Laurens

John Jay

Samuel Huntington

  

Constitution of 1777
U.S. Presidents

Samuel Huntington

Samuel Johnston
Elected but declined the office

Thomas McKean

John Hanson

Elias Boudinot

Thomas Mifflin

Richard Henry Lee

John Hancock
[
Chairman David Ramsay]

Nathaniel Gorham

Arthur St. Clair

Cyrus Griffin

  

Constitution of 1787
U.S. Presidents

George Washington 

John Adams
Federalist Party


Thomas Jefferson
Republican* Party

James Madison 
Republican* Party

James Monroe
Republican* Party

John Quincy Adams
Republican* Party
Whig Party

Andrew Jackson
Republican* Party
Democratic Party


Martin Van Buren
Democratic Party

William H. Harrison
Whig Party

John Tyler
Whig Party

James K. Polk
Democratic Party

David Atchison**
Democratic Party

Zachary Taylor
Whig Party

Millard Fillmore
Whig Party

Franklin Pierce
Democratic Party

James Buchanan
Democratic Party


Abraham Lincoln 
Republican Party

Jefferson Davis***
Democratic Party

Andrew Johnson
Republican Party

Ulysses S. Grant 
Republican Party

Rutherford B. Hayes
Republican Party

James A. Garfield
Republican Party

Chester Arthur 
Republican Party

Grover Cleveland
Democratic Party

Benjamin Harrison
Republican Party

Grover Cleveland 
Democratic Party

William McKinley
Republican Party

Theodore Roosevelt
Republican Party

William H. Taft 
Republican Party

Woodrow Wilson
Democratic Party

Warren G. Harding 
Republican Party

Calvin Coolidge
Republican Party

Herbert C. Hoover
Republican Party

Franklin D. Roosevelt
Democratic Party

Harry S. Truman
Democratic Party

Dwight D. Eisenhower
Republican Party

John F. Kennedy
Democratic Party

Lyndon B. Johnson 
Democratic Party 

Richard M. Nixon 
Republican Party

Gerald R. Ford 
Republican Party

James Earl Carter, Jr. 
Democratic Party

Ronald Wilson Reagan 
Republican Party

George H. W. Bush
Republican Party 

William Jefferson Clinton
Democratic Party

George W. Bush 
Republican Party

Barack H. Obama
Democratic Party

Please Visit

Forgotten Founders
Norwich, CT

Annapolis Continental
Congress Society


U.S. Presidency
& Hospitality

© Stan Klos

 

 

 

 


Virtual Museum of Art | Virtual Museum of History | Virtual Public Library | Virtual Science Center | Virtual Museum of Natural History | Virtual War Museum