Morris, Gouverneur

Gouverneur Morris was an American politician who fought for religious toleration and tried to improve the American financial system.

Morris, Gouverneur (1752-1816) Diplomat, Economic Planner: Morris had an aristocratic background, and served in New York's provincial congress. When he argued for reconciliation with Britain, he was voted out of office. After he was re-elected, he supported the Revolution,. Morris then fought for religious toleration and a single governorship for New York. He served in Congress for almost two years, during which he addressed financial, military, and diplomatic issues. Because of his Tory family connections, Morris lost office, after which he moved to Philadelphia and wrote a series of articles under the pseudonym "An American." He suffered a leg amputation, after which he was appointed assistant to Robert Morris in the Finance Office. Although the two men worked endlessly to create a financially-united United States, they both lost touch with political and economic conditions in the country, losing favor with the nation.