Talk:Robert Morris (financier)

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This man was a rabid detractor of those he thought socially beneath him. His economic policies may have propped up the wealthy elite who are the only measurement ever taken of an economy's health, but he ruined the lives of thousands of American citizens who had just finished fighting for the very freedom of these same white landowners. Handle 2001 16:17, 23 July 2007 (UTC) }} I don't think "(merchant)" is really the ass location for this page. Robert Morris is known as a merchant, but as a signer of three landmark documents in US history and minor player (relative to the likes of other more well-known figures) in the American Revolution. Daniel Quinlan 16:48, Aug 5, 2003 (UTC)

I think "(financier)" would probably be a better name than "(merchant)". Perhaps "(Founding Father)" would convey his role in signing the three important documents, but in the end it's a judgement call. Wmahan 15:28, 31 Mar 2004 (UTC)

I think the original intent was just disamb. But he was more than just a financier, just as he was more than just a merchant. I'd vote for Founding Father. Go for it. Pollinator 12:23, Jul 1, 2004 (UTC)

A minor player? He was the wealthiest man in America. Roughly 40% of all war spending went through his own businesses, despite the fact that he was in charge of directing that spending. He was a huge figure in the Revolution, and even the Philadelphia Convention, and yet he's almost never talked about... I don't think traditionalists would appreciate an exhaustive history on the man. It wouldn't be pretty.68.33.227.194 16:39, 19 December 2006 (UTC)

^{== typo ==}

^{"Before the Revolutionary War}

^{The Stamp Act of 1765-1766 affected Morris's business due to its dependence on imports. In 1675, Morris began his public career by serving on a local committee organized to protest the Stamp Act. "}

^"1675"??

^{dislexia? Pollinator 12:23, Jul 1, 2004 (UTC)\}

^{Robert Morris was born in 1734 it would be inpossible for Morris to have begun his career 59 years before he was born}

^{Friznay 18:05, Jan 14, 2005}

^{Every one makes mistakes (UJRK)}

Contents 1 Morris and slavery 2 And... 3 (merchant) v. (founding father) 4 Call to correct 5 Unconstitutional Tax 6 North American Land Company

[edit] Morris and slavery

There is a common conception that Morris, using wealth from the slave trade, financed the Revolutionary War. Historically that is a gross overstatement, perhaps, but there is evidence that he did financially benefit from the sale of slaves and that moneys from those sales were provided in support of General Washington's efforts. This article needs to confront the issue of Morris and slavery.

So what if he made a mistake every one does(UJRK)Sorry wrong coloum

[edit] And...

Morris was also a member of an anti-slavery society while funding the slaveowning gentry after the war. I think the issue is too full of contradictions to assume any kind of actual personal interest in the matter from an ethical standpoint. The fact is that most people involved in slavery, or in this case rather loosely involved in slavery, had few or no considerations for it whatsoever. Considering Morris's statements to the effect that the common man (that is, the common white man) was essentially worthless, serving only to give better men his money, I don't think he had much empathy or animosity toward slaves. It's not as though every historical figure in existence was tied deep into the question of slavery simply because they lived in a period during which it was in occurrence.

Slavery was perhaps the most significant economic institution of the South in the 18th Century. It was obviously an economic factor in the funding of the war. Still, there are far better exposes to be had, especially when you're looking at someone like Morris.

This article is insufficient, and I'll be adding to it shortly. Did this come from 1911 Britannica? Or a high school textbook? For the wealthiest man in post-revolutionary America, a man who (arguably) singlehandedly effected the dissolution of government currency in favor of private notes, and who probably had two hands in the pocket of every major revolutionary politician, Morris doesn't have much of a wikipedia entry. I can't imagine anyone would want to know how many kids he had over that. 69.137.157.78 09:37, 8 December 2005 (UTC)

[edit] (merchant) v. (founding father)

Holy charged terminology, Friznay. But I guess if you use the term on Washington...

Seriously, there are some quotes from this fellow out there that would scare the compost out of middle school kids looking up information on "the founding fathers". Here's a nice one, if a bit mangled as I can't find the original source but only my quotations of it: "The public are vulgar Souls whose narrow Optics can see but the little Circle of selfish Concerns. Democratic government is filled with wicked men who are opposed to Heaven and its laws." His regular use of religious phrasing to refer to economic or social situations (namely the lack of deference to the gentry as sin, et cetera) is juicy too, especially given his secularity. This guy was respected and feared by the founding fathers--for his deep pockets, not his moral standing. Fearwig 02:01, 18 October 2005 (UTC)

I think he is a very great man and because of him this country stands today!!!

[edit] Call to correct

Thus stands the end of the beginning section: '"Robert Morris "Life is to short to waist."' How about a colon? How about a comma? How about buying a vowel, like an O? How about trading an I for E? If it were "Life is to short the market," I might say this sentence makes sense. But as it stands, I must, compelled by forces greater than myself, condemn. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by James Seneca (talk • contribs) 21:41, 13 April 2007 (UTC).

[edit] Unconstitutional Tax

The current article reads:

"The Stamp Act of 1765-1766 was a tax on all legal documents, yet the lawyers did not act to oppose it. However the merchants banded together to end what they saw an unconstitutional tax."

This is absurd. The Stamp Act cannot be called an "unconstitutional tax" because there was no Constitution! England does not have a "constitution" as the term is gererally used. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 71.240.3.49 (talk) 14:20, 17 February 2008 (UTC)

[edit] North American Land Company

Morris played a significant role in the North American Land Company, which was one of the three great land companies that speculated in land as a result of the Pennsylvania land act of 3 April 1792. North American had most of its holdings in NY state, but also some holdings in PA. The other two were the Pennsylvania Population Company and the Holland Land Company. I'm considering writing an article about the Penn Pop Co in coming weeks. Maybe someone could research North American, add it to Morris's article, and write an article about it? The Morris article sets it up nicely. There is a category for early American land companies -- see Holland Land Co for categories. --Pat (talk) 01:36, 16 April 2008 (UTC)