2 8                                Richard B. Morris

The correspondence and papers illuminate the entire public
career of Gouverneur Morris, from his days as an undergraduate
at King's College through his years as a statesman of the Revolu¬
tion, associated with Robert Morris in the conduct of financial
operations for the national government, and covering the postwar
years of the Confederation interlude, marked by Morris's crown¬
ing achievement in serving as stylist responsible for the final word¬
ing of the federal Constitution. Documenting his ministry to
France, they provide important source material on the later course
of the French Revolution, and tell us in addition much about
iMorris's business operations, about his staunch Federalism, and
about his contribution to the building of the Erie Canal.

The Morris papers trace the course of Gouvcrneur's patriotism,
his nationalism, and his special brand of radicalism. Upon gradu¬
ating from King's College in 1768 he delivered an oration on
"Wit and Beauty," in which he talked of "We who can boast the
glorious title of free born Americans." Nevertheless, from his
oration on the topic "Lo\e," which he delivered when he received
his master's degree from his Alma Mater in 17 71, it is clear that
the liberty Morris was adhering to was liberty under the British
Constitution. " A Britain's love of his country," he declared, "is
firmly fixed upon the solid base of freedom."

These sentiments explain why this aristocratic young man,
member of a great landowning family which had held high office
under the Crown, should initially view with repugnance riotous
demonstrations against the govetnment. Morris gained a certain
notoriety when he commented on a mass meeting held in New
York in 1774. In the course of a letter he referred to the mob as
"poor reptiles," and suggested that if the disputes with Britain
were to continue, "we shall be under the worst of all possible
dominions. We shall be under the domination of a riotous mob."
As late as 1775 Morris clung to his belief in the possibility of re-
concilation with Britain. On June 30th, after drafting a plan of
accommodation, he wrote John Jay, then a delegate to the
Continental Congress, that "every reasonable man will be of
opinion that provided our essential rights be secured on solid