Malcolm Rivera
Gouverneur Morris, born in 1752, was an American statesman, a 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 for his role in drafting the final version of the United States Constitution and its preamble, which begins with the famous words, We the People of the United States.... Morris was a dominant figure at the Constitutional Convention, where he gave more speeches and proposed more motions than any other delegate. He advocated for a strong central government and was a staunch opponent of slavery.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Gouverneur Morris |
| Birth Date | 31 January 1752 |
| Birthplace | New York City |
| College | King's College (now Columbia University) |
| Career | Statesman, signatory to the Articles of Confederation and the United States Constitution, Senator from New York, Minister to France, Chairman of the Erie Canal Commission |
| Known For | "Penman of the Constitution", authored the Preamble to the United States Constitution, advocated for a strong central government, opposed slavery, defended religious liberty |
| Notable Quotes | "We, the People of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, to establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America." |
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Gouverneur Morris was the Penman of the Constitution
Gouverneur Morris, born in 1752, was an American statesman, 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 significant role in drafting and shaping the final version of the United States Constitution.
Morris was a strong advocate for a powerful central government and played a pivotal role at the Constitutional Convention in 1787, where he gave the most speeches and proposed the most motions among all the delegates. He was a dominant figure and a friend and ally of George Washington, who favoured a strong central government. Morris was also one of the most outspoken opponents of slavery at the Convention, believing it to be a “nefarious institution” and a “curse of heaven on the states where it prevailed.”
As a member of the Committee of Style and Arrangement, Morris was responsible for drafting the final language of the proposed constitution. He is credited with authorship of the final version of the preamble, including changing the opening line from “We, the People of the States” to “We, the People of the United States,” giving it its unforgettable text. Morris's fluency and skill with words earned him a spot on the committee, and much of the Constitution's language and logic are his own.
In addition to his work on the Constitution, Morris also contributed to the structure of the presidency. He argued for a strong and independent executive branch, led by an energetic president who would serve the people as their "guardian." Morris also advocated for popular election over congressional election for the president to check the influence of the legislature.
Morris's political thought was idiosyncratic and prescient. He supported an aristocratic Senate with members serving life terms without pay and believed in the central role of parties in American politics. He also introduced the decimal-based coin system used in the US today and “coined” the word “cent.” Morris's contributions to the founding of the nation were significant, and he left an indelible mark on the Constitution, earning him the title of "Penman of the Constitution."
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He was a Founding Father of the United States
Gouverneur Morris, known as the "Penman of the Constitution," was a Founding Father of the United States. Born in 1752, he was a prominent figure in the American Revolution and the creation of the U.S. Constitution. Morris was a strong advocate for independence from Great Britain, despite his aristocratic family's loyalty to the British crown. He embraced the idea of a union of states, a concept that was reflected in his famous contribution to the Preamble of the Constitution: "We, the People of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union...".
Morris played a pivotal role in the Constitutional Convention, speaking more often and proposing more motions than any other delegate. He was a strong advocate for a powerful central government and stood firmly against slavery and for religious liberty. He was also known for his colourful personality, his wit, and his charm. Morris was a friend and ally of George Washington, and his influence extended beyond the writing of the Constitution, as he also contributed to the creation of the Erie Canal and the decimal-based coin system in the U.S.
As a Founding Father, Morris left a lasting impact on the nation's government and values. He believed in the need for a strong executive with a popular mandate and played a central role in shaping the structure of the presidency. Morris also advocated for popular election over congressional election for the president to check the influence of the legislature. In addition to his political contributions, Morris also served as the U.S. Ambassador to France during the Reign of Terror, risking his life to help aristocrats escape.
Morris's influence extended beyond his lifetime, as he is remembered for his contributions to the nation's founding. He has been described as a "shrewd and far-seeing observer and recorder of contemporary men and events," and his diaries and writings have provided valuable insights into historical events, including the French Revolution. Morris's role as the "Penman of the Constitution" and his impact on the founding of the United States are testament to his significance in the nation's history.
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Morris was an outspoken opponent of slavery
Gouverneur Morris, born in 1752, was known as the "Penman of the Constitution". He was a Founding Father of the United States and a signatory to the Articles of Confederation and the United States Constitution. Morris wrote the Preamble to the United States Constitution, giving it its distinctive language and unmistakable logic.
Morris's opposition to slavery was evident in his actions as well as his words. He served as Minister Plenipotentiary to France from 1792 to 1794, during the height of the Reign of Terror. He was deeply involved in helping aristocrats escape, even making a failed attempt to help Louis XVI flee. Morris was the only diplomat to remain in Paris during this time, risking his life to help others.
Morris's views on slavery also influenced his political career. He served in the Senate from 1800 to 1803, affiliating with the Federalist Party. After losing re-election in 1803, he supported the Hartford Convention during the War of 1812 and pushed for secession to create a separate New York-New England Confederation. He saw the war as caused by the expansionist dreams of slaveholders and believed that the Constitution had failed to address the issue of slavery.
Morris's opposition to slavery was a key aspect of his contributions to the United States Constitution. He was a dominant figure at the Philadelphia Convention of 1787, speaking more often, proposing more motions, and having more motions adopted than any other delegate. He advocated for a strong central government and promoted religious liberty. Morris was appointed to the Committee of Style and Arrangement, which drafted the final language of the proposed constitution. He was credited with authorship of the final version of the preamble, including changing the opening line to "We, the People of the United States".
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He advocated for a strong central government
Gouverneur Morris, often referred to as the "Penman of the Constitution", was an American statesman, 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, giving it its distinctive language and unmistakable logic. Morris was also deeply important to the structure of the presidency. He advocated for a strong central government, believing that the president needed sufficient powers and independence to ward off legislative tyranny as the "guardian of the people". He supported popular election over congressional election for the president, arguing that it would check the influence of the legislature.
Morris's vision for America's constitutional order included a powerful executive with a popular mandate, the central role of parties in politics, and the evils that slavery would bring. He was one of the most outspoken opponents of slavery among those present at the Constitutional Congress. He believed slavery was a "nefarious institution" and "the curse of heaven on the states where it prevailed". He also defended the right of anyone to practice their chosen religion without interference and argued to include such language in the Constitution.
Morris was appointed assistant superintendent of finance of the United States and served under Robert Morris. He was selected as a Pennsylvania delegate to the Constitutional Convention in 1787, where he was a friend and ally of Washington and others who favoured a strong central government. He served on the Committee of Style and Arrangement, which drafted the final language of the proposed constitution. Morris has been credited by most historians with authorship of the final version of the preamble, including changing the opening line from "We, the People of the States" to "We, the People of the United States".
Morris was also one of the primary authors of the New York Constitution of 1777. He believed that the Constitution's purpose was to protect the rights of humanity, which was incongruous with promoting slavery. He also introduced the decimal-based coin system that has been used in the US ever since and "coined" the word "cent".
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Morris was a lifelong friend of John Jay and Robert Livingston
Gouverneur Morris, often referred to as the "Penman of the Constitution", 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, giving the document its distinctive language and unmistakable logic.
Morris studied law under Judge William Smith alongside two other aspiring lawyers, John Jay and Robert Livingston. The three became lifelong friends. They were the primary authors of the New York Constitution of 1777. Morris, Jay, and Livingston were all deeply involved in the movement toward American independence. Morris was on the Westchester County Committee of Safety and was elected a delegate to the First and Third Provincial Congresses. He went to the Continental Congress in York, Pennsylvania, in early 1778.
John Jay was born in 1745 and died in 1829. He was married to Sarah Livingston Jay. He was one of the authors of the Federalist Papers and the negotiator of Jay's Treaty. Jay was also a friend of Alexander Hamilton.
Robert Livingston was a friend of John Jay and the two exchanged letters. Livingston was also acquainted with George Washington.
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Frequently asked questions
Gouverneur Morris was known as the "Penman of the Constitution".
Gouverneur Morris wrote the Preamble to the US Constitution, including its famous opening phrase, "We the People of the United States, in Order to form a More Perfect Union...". He also gave the document its distinctive language and logic, and composed the final draft in just three days.
Morris was an outspoken opponent of slavery and a strong advocate for religious liberty. He believed in the need for a powerful central government and a strong executive with a popular mandate. He also supported popular election for the president to check the influence of the legislature.
Morris was a Founding Father of the United States and a signatory to the Articles of Confederation and the US Constitution. He served as a senator from New York and as Minister to France during the Reign of Terror, where he helped aristocrats escape. He also served as chairman of the Erie Canal Commission and originated the plan for the Erie Canal.
