MORRIS, ROBERT, 1734-1806; b. in Lancasbire,England; received a common school education only; was brought to this country by his father, and when about 15 years Old entered the counting-house of Charles Willing, a Philadelphia merchant., and continued in the firm for many years, gradually rising by his integrity and ability until, in 1754, he was made a partner. When the revolution broke out he had already acquired a very large fortune, and the firm was second to none in the state in the extent of its business. He at once ardently sided with the patriot party, and by assenting to the non-importation act. 1765, sacrificed great trade advantages for sake of principle. In 1775 he was a dele gate to the continental congress, and was a signer of the declaration of independence, though he lied opposed its adoption as ill-timed. He served for several years on t he committee of ways and means, and in that capacity was of immense assistance to the cause not only by his sagacity as a financier, but by his personal credit. More than once he rescued congress front a seemingly fatal crisis by borrowing money on his own name and that of his firm; the $1,500,000 which enabled Washington to carry out his last campaign against Cornwallis was raised by his exertions and on his own notes. From 1781 tc 1784 he was superintendent of finance and was vested with complete control. over the monetary affairs of the country. Here again he several times used his reputa
tion as a man of great wealth to rescue the treasury from embarrassment. The bank of North America was founded in Dec., 1781, with a capital of $400,000 and was of great use m the government. The looseness of the confederated bond between the states and the gener. 1 poverty of the people rendered the financial management peculiarly diffi cult and vexatious; mud it was with a sense of relief that, in 1783, Morris resigned his ollice. Pressed to remain he reluctantly continued his duties until the end of 1784, when a commission was appointed to examine his accounts, and he issued an address, explain ing his measures and promising to fulfill all obligations undertaken by him on behalf of the government. In 1780-87 he was influential in procuring there-establishment of the North American bank, the charter having been repealed. He was a member of the constitutional convention of 1787, and was afterward U. S. senator from Pennsylvania. Ho was more than once offered the office of secretary of the treasury, but refused and suggested the name of Hamilton. Unfortunate laud speculations proved disastrous to his wealth; and on May 7, 1803, the man who had controlled the finances of a rising n.ition and by his personal exertions saved it from bankruptcy, died in a debtor's prison.