Gouverneur Morris : an independent life / William Howard Adams.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Adams, William Howard.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Morris, Gouverneur, 1752-1816.

Morris, Gouverneur.

United States. Constitution--Signers--Biography.

United States.

Statesmen--United States--Biography.

Statesmen.

United States--History--Revolution, 1775-1783--Biography.

New York (State)--History--Revolution, 1775-1783--Biography.

New York (State).

United States--Politics and government--1775-1783.

United States--Politics and government--1783-1789.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (1 online resource (xvi, 345 p.) ) ill.

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

New Haven : Yale University Press, c2003.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

A plainspoken, racy patrician who distrusted democracy but opposed slavery and championed freedom for all minorities, an important player in the American Revolution, later an astute critic of the French Revolution, Gouverneur Morris remains an enigma among the founding generation. This comprehensive, engrossing biography tells his robust story, including his celebrated love affairs during his long stay in Europe. Morris's public record is astonishing. One of the leading figures of the Constitutional Convention, he put the Constitution in its final version, including its opening Preamble. As Washington's first minister to Paris, he became America's most effective representative in France. A successful, international entrepreneur, he understood the dynamics of commerce in the modern world. Frankly cosmopolitan, he embraced city life as a creative center of civilization and had a central role in the building of the Erie Canal and in laying out the urban grid plan of Manhattan. William Howard Adams describes Morris's many contributions, talents, sophistication, and wit, as well as his romantic liaisons, free habits, and free speech. He brings to life a fascinating man of great stature, a founding father who receives his due at last.

Contents:

Front matter

Contents

Acknowledgments

INTRODUCTION. Redeeming Mr. Morris

CHAPTER 1. The Pedigree

CHAPTER 2. A Profession

CHAPTER 3. Things Fall Apart

CHAPTER 4. "The Great Question of Independency"

CHAPTER 5. Breaking the Fetters

CHAPTER 6. The Continental Congress, 1778-1779

CHAPTER 7. Money Matters

CHAPTER 8. The Convention

CHAPTER 9. Paris, 1789

CHAPTER 10. Business as Usual

CHAPTER 11. A Presidential Mission

CHAPTER 12. Minister to France

CHAPTER 13. The Long Journey Home

CHAPTER 14. On Native Ground

Notes

Bibliography

Index

Notes:

Bibliographic Level Mode of Issuance: Monograph

Includes bibliographical references (p. 324-334) and index.

ISBN:

9786611740641

9781281740649

1281740640

9780300127041

0300127049

OCLC:

1100461097