The Journal of the Debates in the Convention which Framed the Constitution of the United States, May-September 1787. Volume 1Madison, James
History
The Journal of the Debates in the Convention which Framed the Constitution of the United States, May-September 1787. Volume 1
Madison, James
Constitutional law -- United States; Constitutions -- United States; United States. Constitution
[24] "M^r Governeur Morris is one of those Genius's in whom
every species of talents combine to render him conspicuous
and flourishing in public debate:--He winds through all the
mazes of rhetoric, and throws around him such a glare that
he charms, captivates, and leads away the senses of all who
hear him. With an infinite streach of fancy he brings to
view things when he is engaged in deep argumentation, that
render all the labor of reasoning easy and pleasing. But
with all these powers he is fickle and inconstant,--never
pursuing one train of thinking,--nor ever regular. He has
gone through a very extensive course of reading, and is
acquainted with all the sciences. No Man has more wit,--nor
can any one engage the attention more than M^r Morris. He
was bred to the Law, but I am told he disliked the
profession, and turned Merchant. He is engaged in some great
mercantile matters with his namesake, M^r Rob^t Morris. This
Gentleman is about 38 years old, he has been unfortunate in
losing one of his Legs, and getting all the flesh taken off
his right arm by a scald, when a youth."--Pierce's Notes,
_Am. Hist. Rev._, iii., 329.
[25] "NEWPORT June 18th 1787
"Sir--
"The inclosed address, of which I presume your Excellency
has received a duplicate, was returned to me from New York
after my arrival in this State. I flattered myself that our
Legislature, which convened on monday last, would have
receded from the resolution therein refer'd to, and have
complied with the recommendation of Congress in sending
deligates to the federal convention. The upper house, or
Governor, & Council, embraced the measure, but it was
negatived in the house of Assembly by a large majority,
notwithstanding the greatest exertions were made to support
it.
"Being disappointed in their expectations, the minority in
the administration and all the worthy citizens of this
State, whose minds are well informd regreting the
peculiarities of their Situation place their fullest
confidence in the wisdom & moderation of the national
council, and indulge the warmest hopes of being favorably
consider'd in their deliberations. From these deliberations
they anticipate a political System which must finally be
adopted & from which will result the Safety, the honour, &
the happiness of the United States.
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