Eleanor Finch
Gouverneur Morris was a Founding Father of the United States and a signatory to the Articles of Confederation and the US Constitution. He wrote the Preamble to the Constitution, including the phrase We the People of the United States, and is often referred to as the Penman of the Constitution. Morris was an outspoken opponent of slavery and a strong advocate for religious liberty and a central government. He contributed significantly to the structure and language of the Constitution, arguing for a powerful and independent president, popular election, and life tenure.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Public service | Gouverneur Morris returned to public service in Philadelphia as a delegate to the Constitutional Convention in 1787. |
| Opposition to slavery | Morris was one of the few delegates at the Philadelphia Convention who spoke openly against domestic slavery. |
| Oratorical skills | Morris gave 173 speeches over the course of the Convention, more than any other delegate. |
| Religious liberty | Morris successfully advocated for the protection of religious liberty in the New York state constitution in 1777. |
| Centralized government | Morris favored a highly centralized, aristocratic government with a strong executive branch. |
| Presidency | Morris argued for life tenure for the president and popular election over congressional election. |
| Coinage system | Morris proposed the decimal coinage system that forms the basis of the present U.S. monetary system. |
| Union of states | Morris advanced the idea of being a citizen of a single union of states, rather than individual states. |
| Written contributions | Morris authored the Preamble to the Constitution, including the phrase "We the People of the United States." |
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What You'll Learn
Morris wrote the Preamble to the Constitution
Gouverneur Morris, born in 1752, was an American statesman, Founding Father of the United States, and a signatory to the Articles of Confederation and the United States Constitution. He is known as the ""Penman of the Constitution", owing to his significant contributions to the language and structure of the Constitution.
Morris wrote the entire Preamble to the Constitution, including the celebrated phrase, "We, the People of the United States". He is credited with changing the original wording from "We, the People of the States", emphasising the unity of the states. This reflected his belief in a single union of states, rather than individual state identities.
As a member of the Committee of Style and Arrangement, Morris played a crucial role in drafting the final language and structure of the Constitution. He was known for his oratorical skills and gave the most speeches out of any delegate at the Convention, with a total of 173. His debating abilities and eloquence were noted by James Madison, who acknowledged Morris's role in shaping the Constitution's style and arrangement.
Beyond his contributions to the Preamble, Morris advocated for a strong central government, with a powerful and energetic president. He supported life tenure for the president and the presidential appointment of senators. Additionally, Morris was a staunch opponent of slavery and argued for religious liberty and tolerance. He believed that the inclusion of such principles was essential in the Constitution.
Gouverneur Morris's contributions to the Constitution were significant, and he played a pivotal role in shaping the language, structure, and underlying principles of the United States Constitution. His influence extended beyond the Preamble, as he helped define the role of the government and the presidency, while also advocating for fundamental rights and freedoms.
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He advocated for a strong central government
Gouverneur Morris was a Founding Father of the United States and played a significant role in shaping the Constitution. He is often referred to as the "Penman of the Constitution", reflecting his substantial contributions to its language and structure. One of his key beliefs was the need for a strong central government, and this belief guided his actions and proposals during the Constitutional Convention in 1787.
Morris's advocacy for a strong central government was influenced by his collaboration with General George Washington. Both statesmen shared this vision and worked together to reform and finance the American military. Morris served as Washington's second ambassador to France, and his diplomatic skills proved valuable during the French Revolution.
During the Constitutional Convention, Morris was a vocal supporter of a robust and centralised government. He proposed a strong executive branch, suggesting that the president should have sufficient powers and independence to counter legislative tyranny. Morris argued for life tenure for the president, believing that this would provide the necessary energy and vigour to the executive branch. He also proposed that senators should be appointed by the president, which he thought would help prevent the wealthy from forming an oligarchy.
Morris's views on government were shaped by his scepticism towards popular sovereignty. He did not believe that government should be based solely on the trust of the common people. Instead, he favoured a system where the president was elected by popular vote, as he believed this would check the influence of the legislature. Morris's ideas on the presidency and his defence of a strong central government had a lasting impact on the structure of the US government and the powers vested in the executive branch.
Morris's contributions to the Constitution went beyond his advocacy for a strong central government. He was also a fierce opponent of slavery and one of the few delegates at the Philadelphia Convention who openly spoke against it. Additionally, Morris played a crucial role in drafting the Preamble to the Constitution, including crafting the celebrated phrase, "We the People of the United States."
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Morris was against domestic slavery
Gouverneur Morris was a Founding Father of the United States and a signatory to the Articles of Confederation and the United States Constitution. He wrote the Preamble to the United States Constitution and has been called the "Penman of the Constitution". Morris was one of the most outspoken opponents of slavery among those who were present at the Constitutional Congress.
At the Constitutional Convention in 1787, Morris gave a powerful speech denouncing slavery. He described the negative impact of the institution on both the North and South, making public the division that would eventually cause the Civil War seventy-four years later. Morris argued that it was incongruous to say that a slave was both a man and property at the same time. He believed that the Constitution's purpose was to protect the rights of humanity, which was incompatible with promoting slavery.
Morris stated that the admission of slaves into representation meant that an inhabitant of Georgia or South Carolina who went to the Coast of Africa and tore away their fellow creatures from their connections, damning them to cruel bondage, would have more votes in a government instituted for the protection of the rights of mankind than a citizen of Pennsylvania or New Jersey who viewed such practices with horror. He saw domestic slavery as the most prominent feature of the aristocratic countenance of the proposed Constitution.
Morris's attempt to limit the future power of the West was interpreted as a strategic move to limit the power of slaveholding states. He believed that slavery would predominate in new Western states. As a matter of principle, he vigorously defended the right of anyone to practice their chosen religion without interference and argued for the inclusion of such language in the Constitution.
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He contributed to the structure of the presidency
Gouverneur Morris was a Founding Father of the United States and a signatory to the Articles of Confederation and the United States Constitution. He is often referred to as the “Penman of the Constitution” due to his substantial contributions to the drafting of the final version of the U.S. Constitution.
Morris played a crucial role in shaping the structure of the presidency. He advocated for a strong and energetic executive, arguing against limiting presidents to a single term. Morris believed that the president needed sufficient powers and independence to counter legislative tyranny and act as the "guardian of the people." He supported life tenure for the president and argued for popular election over congressional election, believing it would check the influence of the legislature.
Morris's views on the presidency reflected his broader beliefs about government and power. He favoured a strong central government and was an outspoken opponent of slavery. Morris advanced the idea of a union of states, moving away from the notion of citizens belonging solely to individual states. He also defended religious liberty and argued for the inclusion of language in the Constitution to protect religious freedom.
Morris's contributions to the structure of the presidency were shaped by his unique perspective and experiences. He was known for his oratorical abilities and his exuberance, outspokenness, and strong convictions. Morris's impact on the presidency and the broader Constitution helped lay the foundation for the American governmental system.
Morris's influence extended beyond his direct contributions to the Constitution. He served as an ambassador to France and played a role in the French Revolution, aiding King Louis XVI in fleeing the country. Additionally, he was involved in the construction of the Erie Canal and the creation of New York's street grid, further shaping the young nation's infrastructure and development.
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Morris was an outspoken opponent of the French Revolution
Gouverneur Morris was an American Founding Father and a signatory to the United States Constitution. He wrote the Preamble to the Constitution and has been called the "Penman of the Constitution". Morris was also one of the most outspoken opponents of slavery among those present at the Constitutional Congress.
Morris's opposition to the French Revolution was likely influenced by his belief that a republican form of government would not suit the French character. This belief may have stemmed from his Tory-minded outlook on the world. Morris's opinions also led him to take a monarchical view while in France, further illustrating his opposition to the Revolution's ideals.
Morris's actions during the French Revolution demonstrate his commitment to his beliefs. On one occasion, he brandished his wooden leg (which he had lost in a carriage accident) above his head and proclaimed himself an American who had fought for liberty. This act turned a hostile mob, who had been in favor of hanging him, into enthusiastic cheers. Morris's bravery and charisma in this moment showcase his unwavering dedication to his values, even in the face of danger.
Overall, Gouverneur Morris's outspoken opposition to the French Revolution, as well as his diplomatic role during that tumultuous time, provide valuable insights into his character and beliefs. His contributions to the United States Constitution and his stance as an opponent of the French Revolution highlight the complexities of this historical figure.
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Frequently asked questions
Gouverneur Morris was a delegate at the 1787 Constitutional Convention, where he was a member of the Committee of Style and Arrangement. He was a close friend and ally of George Washington, and the two worked together to pursue a strong central government.
Gouverneur Morris is often referred to as the "Penman of the Constitution", as he is credited with writing the Preamble to the US Constitution. He also contributed to the structure of the presidency, defending the need for an energetic president and advocating for life tenure for the president.
Gouverneur Morris was one of the most outspoken opponents of slavery at the Constitutional Congress. He also served as Minister to France during the French Revolution and was an aide to General George Washington in reforming and financing the American military.
Gouverneur Morris was a conservative who distrusted the democratic tendencies of colonists seeking independence from England. He did not believe that government should be based on popular sovereignty and was skeptical of putting trust in common people. He also believed in religious liberty and argued for the right of anyone to practice their chosen religion without interference.
