Omar Bennett
Gouverneur Morris (1752-1816) was an American Founding Father, diplomat, and financial expert who played a significant role in shaping the United States Constitution. Known as the Penman of the Constitution, Morris was a skilled writer and orator who contributed to the language and structure of the Constitution. He wrote the entire Preamble, including the famous phrase We the People of the United States, and was instrumental in crafting the final version of the document. Morris served on two central committees at the Constitutional Convention, advocating for religious tolerance, a strong central government, and opposing slavery. He also helped plan the U.S. decimal coinage system and served as a minister to France.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Nicknames | "Penman of the Constitution", "The Rake Who Wrote the Constitution" |
| Role in the Constitution | Wrote the Preamble to the Constitution, including the phrase "We the People of the United States" |
| Other Contributions to the Constitution | Helped create the language and structure of the Constitution, advocated for a strong central government, and argued for the inclusion of language protecting religious freedom |
| Opposition to Slavery | One of the most outspoken opponents of slavery at the Constitutional Congress |
| Political Views | Extreme conservative |
| Public Service | Served in the New York Provincial Congress, Continental Congress, Constitutional Convention, and the Senate; served as Minister Plenipotentiary to France and as a lieutenant colonel in the New York state militia |
| Writing | Published a series of essays on finance in the Pennsylvania Packet in 1780 |
| Physical Appearance | Stood over six feet tall and bore a resemblance to George Washington |
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What You'll Learn
Wrote the Preamble
Gouverneur Morris, an American Founding Father, statesman, diplomat, and financial expert, played a significant role in the creation of the US Constitution. He is particularly known for writing the Preamble to the Constitution, which includes the famous phrase, "We the People of the United States."
Morris, a skilled writer and orator, contributed greatly to the language and structure of the Constitution. He served on two central committees at the Constitutional Convention: the Committee of Style and Arrangement, responsible for editing the final text and details, and the Committee on Postponed Parts (or the Committee of Eleven), which addressed challenging issues such as the selection of the presidency.
As the Penman of the Constitution, Morris left an indelible mark on the document. He gave more speeches (173) at the Convention than any other delegate, passionately advocating for religious freedom and opposing slavery. Morris's contributions reflected his strong sense of civic duty and belief in a strong central government.
The Preamble, drafted by Morris, set the tone and framework for the Constitution. It established the idea of a unified nation, shifting the perception of Americans from citizens of individual states to citizens of a single union of states. This foundational statement introduced the Constitution's core principles and values, shaping the course of American governance.
Morris's role in the Constitution's creation extended beyond the Preamble. He was instrumental in shaping the final wording and prose of the document, earning recognition as the writer or rake of the Constitution. Morris's literary skill and influence on the Constitution's language were significant, solidifying his place in the formation of the United States' foundational document.
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Coined the phrase We the People
Gouverneur Morris, an American Founding Father, statesman, diplomat, and financial expert, played a significant role in shaping the language and structure of the United States Constitution. He is widely recognized as the "Penman of the Constitution," known for his literary skills and oratorical prowess.
One of Morris's most enduring contributions to the Constitution is coining the phrase "We the People" in the Preamble. Along with Pennsylvania's James Wilson, he crafted the unforgettable text of the Preamble, which sets the tone for the entire document. By using the phrase "We the People," Morris advanced the idea of a unified nation, shifting the focus from individual states to a single union of states. This concept was particularly significant at a time when most Americans still identified as citizens of their respective states.
Morris's work on the Constitution extended beyond the Preamble. He served on two central committees at the Constitutional Convention: the Committee of Style and Arrangement, responsible for editing the final text and details of the document, and the Committee on Postponed Parts (or the Committee of Eleven), which addressed challenging issues like the selection of the presidency. Morris was an active participant in the Convention, delivering more speeches (173) than any other delegate. He advocated for religious tolerance and opposed slavery, reflecting his strong convictions and sense of civic duty.
Morris's influence on the Constitution also stemmed from his collaboration with other key figures. He worked closely with General George Washington, assisting in reforming and financing the American military. Morris and Washington shared a vision of a strong central government, and their partnership extended beyond the Revolutionary War into the Constitutional Convention in 1787. Additionally, Morris's time in France as a minister during the French Revolution provided him with insights into the failures of that nation's political upheaval, further shaping his ideas about governance.
In conclusion, Gouverneur Morris's role in coining the phrase "We the People" and shaping the Constitution extended beyond mere words. He embodied the ideals of a unified nation, advocated for religious freedom and opposed slavery. His literary skills, political convictions, and collaborations with influential figures like Washington, left an indelible mark on the foundation of American government and the interpretation of the Constitution.
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Acted as the Penman of the Constitution
Gouverneur Morris, an American statesman, diplomat, and financial expert, played a significant role in shaping the language and structure of the United States Constitution, earning him the title "Penman of the Constitution".
Morris, a Founding Father of the United States, was a delegate to the Continental Congress and the Constitutional Convention of 1787, where he worked closely with General George Washington to reform and finance the American military. He was a skilled writer and orator, and his literary prowess greatly influenced the final wording of the Constitution. Morris served on two central committees at the Convention: the Committee of Style and Arrangement, responsible for editing the final text and details of the document, and the Committee on Postponed Parts (or the Committee of Eleven), which crafted solutions to challenging issues, such as the selection of the presidency.
As a member of the Committee of Style and Arrangement, Morris, along with Pennsylvania's James Wilson, penned the Preamble to the Constitution, including the famous phrase, "We the People of the United States." This committee also included notable figures such as Alexander Hamilton and James Madison. Morris's contributions to the Preamble left an indelible mark on the text and meaning of the Constitution, solidifying his reputation as its "Penman."
Beyond his writing skills, Morris's political convictions and beliefs also shaped his contributions to the Constitution. He was a strong advocate for religious tolerance and vigorously defended the right to practice one's chosen religion without interference. Additionally, Morris advanced the idea of citizenship in a single union of states, moving beyond the prevalent state-centric identity of the time. He was also an outspoken opponent of slavery and strategically worked to limit the future power of the West and the influence of slaveholding states.
Morris's impact extended beyond the Constitution as well. He helped plan the U.S. decimal coinage system and chaired the commission that designed the Manhattan street grid. He also served as Minister to France, where he criticised the French Revolution and the execution of Marie Antoinette. Upon his return to the United States, he won election to the Senate in 1800 but lost his reelection bid in 1803.
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Argued for religious freedom
Gouverneur Morris, an American Founding Father, was a strong advocate for religious freedom. He believed in the right of anyone to practice their chosen religion without interference and argued for the inclusion of such language in the US Constitution.
Morris was a delegate to the Continental Congress and played a significant role in shaping the language and structure of the Constitution. He was a member of the Committee of Style and Arrangement, also known as the Committee of Style, which was responsible for drafting the final language of the proposed constitution. Morris is credited with authoring the final version of the Preamble, including the famous phrase "We the People of the United States."
In addition to his work at the Constitutional Convention, Morris also contributed to the protection of religious liberty in his home state of New York. He served in the New York Provincial Congress from 1775 to 1777, where he successfully fought to include a provision for religious toleration in the state's first constitution. This early commitment to religious freedom set a precedent for his later contributions to the US Constitution.
Morris's belief in religious freedom was likely influenced by his own religious background. He was born into a Huguenot family, a Protestant group with a history of persecution and displacement due to their religious beliefs. This personal connection to religious persecution may have informed his strong defence of religious freedom in the Constitution.
Morris's contributions to the Constitution were not limited to religious freedom. He was also an outspoken opponent of slavery and argued against it during the Constitutional Convention. He advocated for a strong central government, life tenure for the president, and popular election over congressional election for the president. Morris's oratorical skills and political convictions left a lasting impact on the Constitution and helped shape the foundations of American democracy.
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Opposed slavery
Gouverneur Morris was an American Founding Father, statesman, and signatory to the United States Constitution. He is often referred to as the "'Penman of the Constitution', owing to his role in drafting the Constitution's preamble: "We the People".
Morris was one of the few delegates at the Constitutional Convention who openly opposed slavery. He was against the idea of counting slaves towards a state's population for representation purposes while keeping them disenfranchised. He argued that it was incongruous to consider a slave both a man and property at the same time. In his own words:
> "Are they men? Then make them citizens and let them vote. Are they property? Why then is no other property included?"
Morris believed that the Constitution's purpose was to protect the rights of humanity, which was incompatible with promoting slavery. He saw slavery as a "'nefarious institution' and a 'curse of heaven on the states where it prevailed'. He highlighted the negative impacts of slavery on both the North and South, predicting the division that would eventually lead to the Civil War.
Morris's opposition to slavery was based on his belief in the rights of humanity and his recognition of the negative consequences of slavery. He advocated for a strong central government and the protection of individual freedoms, including religious tolerance and freedom of religion.
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Frequently asked questions
Gouverneur Morris was an American Founding Father, diplomat, and financial expert. He was a signatory to the Articles of Confederation and the United States Constitution.
Gouverneur Morris wrote the Preamble to the United States Constitution, including the famous phrase, "We the People of the United States." He also drafted the final version of the Constitution and was on the two central committees at the Convention.
Gouverneur Morris was an extreme conservative. He was an outspoken opponent of slavery and believed in the idea of being a citizen of a single union of states. He also advocated for religious tolerance and the right to practice one's chosen religion without interference.
Gouverneur Morris helped plan the U.S. decimal coinage system and chaired the commission that designed the Manhattan street grid. He also served as Minister Plenipotentiary to France and was elected to the Senate in 1800.
Gouverneur Morris came from a prominent New York family with firm British loyalties. He studied at King's College (now Columbia University) and was admitted to the bar in 1771. He was also known for his romantic life, wit, and beauty, and he had a peg leg due to a carriage accident when he was 28.
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