Background
Morris, Gouverneur was born on January 31, 1752 in Morrisiania, New York, United States. Son of Lewis and Sarah (Gouverneur) Morris.
Morris, Gouverneur was born on January 31, 1752 in Morrisiania, New York, United States. Son of Lewis and Sarah (Gouverneur) Morris.
Graduate Kings College (now Columbia), 1768. Studied law under William Smith.
Member of New York Provincial Congress from Westchester County, 1775-1777. Held conservative position between radicals (who wished “reign of terror” against Loyalists) and staunch Loyalists (who wished to remain united with England). Member Constitutional Convention from New York, July 1775, drafted (with John Jay and Robert R. Livingston) Articles of confederation, secured provision of elected governor rather than Executive Board.
A signer Articles of confederation, 1775.
Member commission to organize new government New York State. Member 1st New York Council of Safety.
Member Continental Congress from New York, 1777-1778, drafted instruction to Benjamin Franklin (1st United States minister to France). Not reelected to Continental Congress because of refusal to support Governor George Clinton and New York’s claims to Vermont.
Moved to Pennsylvania, practiced law, Philadelphia.
Contributed essays on finance (signed “An American”) to Pennsylvania Packet, February-April 1780. United States assistant superintendent finance under Robert Morris, 1781-1785. Delegate from Pennsylvania to the United States Constitutional Convention, Philadelphia, 1787, favored strong centralized government controlled by rich and well-born, a president elected for life, and a senate appointed for life by president
Noted for his cynical contempt for democracy.
Went to France as agent of Robert Morris, 1789, assisted in opening tobacco trade on better terms for America, and selling of America lands. Engaged in plot to rescue Louis XVI from Tuleries.
Appointed United States minister to France by President George Washington, 1792-1794, only foreign minister to remain in Paris during Reign of Terror. Traveled throughout Europe, 1794-1798.
Member United States Senate (Federalist) from New York, April 3, 1800-1803, supported Jefferson’s Louisiana Purchase.
Retired to Morrisania, 1803-1816. Denounced Jefferson’s Embargo Acts, War of 1812. Approved Hartford Convention
Member of New York Provincial Congress from Westchester County, 1775-1777. Member Constitutional Convention from New York, July 1775, drafted (with John Jay and Robert R. Livingston) Articles of confederation, secured provision of elected governor rather than Executive Board. Member commission to organize new government New York State.
Member 1st New York Council of Safety.
Member Continental Congress from New York, 1777-1778, drafted instruction to Benjamin Franklin (1st United States minister to France). Member United States Senate (Federalist) from New York, April 3, 1800-1803, supported Jefferson’s Louisiana Purchase.
Married Anne Carey Randolph, December 25, 1809, 1 child.