Morris, Gouverneur, 1752-1816

<p>Gouverneur Morris (January 31, 1752 – November 6, 1816) 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 and has been called the "Penman of the Constitution." In an era when most Americans thought of themselves as citizens of their respective states, Morris advanced the idea of being a citizen of a single union of states. He was also one of the most outspoken opponents of slavery among all of those who were present at the Constitutional Convention. He represented New York in the United States Senate from 1800 to 1803.</p>

<p>Morris was born into a wealthy landowning family in what is now New York City. After attending King's College, now Columbia College, he studied law under Judge William Smith and earned admission to the bar. He was elected to the New York Provincial Congress before serving in the Continental Congress. After losing re-election to Congress, he moved to Philadelphia and became the assistant U.S. superintendent of finance. He represented Pennsylvania at the 1787 Constitutional Convention, where he advocated a strong central government. He served on the committee that wrote the final draft of the United States Constitution.</p>

<p>After the ratification of the Constitution, Morris served as Minister Plenipotentiary to France. He criticized the French Revolution and the execution of Marie Antoinette. Morris returned to the United States in 1798 and won election to the Senate in 1800, affiliating with the Federalist Party. He lost re-election in 1803. After leaving the Senate, he served as chairman of the Erie Canal Commission.</p>

MORRIS, Gouverneur, (Half brother of Lewis Morris and uncle of Lewis Richard Morris), a Delegate and a Senator from New York; born in Morrisania (now a part of New York City), N.Y., January 31, 1752; instructed by private tutors; graduated from King's College (now Columbia University), New York, in 1768; studied law; admitted to the colonial bar in 1771 and commenced practice in New York City; member, New York provincial congress 1775-1777; lieutenant colonel in the State militia in 1776; member of the committee to prepare a form of government for the State of New York in 1776; member of the first State council of safety in 1777; member, first State assembly 1777-1778; Member of the Continental Congress in 1778 and 1779; signer of the Articles of Confederation in 1778; moved to Philadelphia in 1779; appointed assistant superintendent of finance 1781-1785; delegate to the Federal Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787 and one of the signers of the Constitution; returned to live in New York in 1788; went to Europe on business in 1789; Minister Plenipotentiary to France 1792-1794; returned to the United States in 1798; elected in 1800 as a Federalist to the United States Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of James Watson and served from April 3, 1800, to March 3, 1803; unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1802; chairman of the Erie Canal Commission 1810-1813; author on legal and political subjects; died in Morrisania, N.Y., November 6, 1816; interment in St. Anne's Episcopal Churchyard, Bronx, N.Y.

<ul><b>RACES</b>
<li>03/02/1803 President Pro Tempore Lost 16.67% (-55.56%)</li>
<li>02/25/1803 President Pro Tempore Lost 9.52% (-76.19%)</li>
<li>04/02/1800 NY US Senate - Appointment Won 100.00% (+100.00%)</li>
<li>01/12/1792 US Ambassador to France Won 100.00% (+100.00%)</li>
<li>12/31/1778 NY Continental Congress Won 100.00% (+100.00%)</li>
<li>12/31/1777 NY Continental Congress Won 100.00% (+100.00%)</li>
</ul>