17 June 1781

Morris, Gouverneur, 1752-1816

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Jay

Writes to Jay, then Minister to Spain, about Jays appointment as one of five commissioners to negotiate peace during the American Revolution (which eventually resulted in the Treaty of Paris). Gives advice on how to deal with Spain, asking him to reiterate their commitment to winning the war and to "Hint a private Treaty to comprehend the Cession of the Floridas and even of Jamaica as an Ultimatum of Peace." Praises the appointment of Thomas McKean as President of Congress. The letter was continued on 10 July and 17 July 1781. Signed twice.

GLC03257

03 December 1788

Morris, Gouverneur, 1752-1816

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Comte de Moustier re: thanks for information on France, American manners

Written by Morris as American Minister to France. Morris also writes that he "cannot flatter myself that my Country men and above all my Country Women will shew so much good Sense and such Sensibility as daily to render your Situation more and more agreable [sic]." He notes that American manners may not be "sufficiently advanced to have got around to what is quite natural."

GLC03274

February 23, 1789

Morris, Gouverneur, 1752-1816

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Comte de Moustier re: thanking for letter of introduction, praise for service

Written by Morris as American Minister to France. Morris also talks about the elections for the Estates General and the optimism which pervaded France at this time.

GLC03275

September 17, 1798

Morris, Gouverneur, 1752-1816

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Pierre Chassanis [in French]

Written in French. Previously cataloged as being to Rudolph Tillier, a land agent. The letter possibly discusses the land that is now Lewis County, New York. Place written is illegible.

GLC00087.02

June 30, 1799

Morris, Gouverneur, 1752-1816

Letter

Title: Copy of letter to Pierre Chassanis (in French)

Copy of a letter to Pierre Chassanis written in French, possibly from Gouverneur Morris. Was included in a letter from Rudolph Tillier to Morris.

GLC00087.04

August 25, 1799

Morris, Gouverneur, 1752-1816

Letter

Title: to Rudolph Tillier [copy]

Terminates Tillier's position as agent for Peter Chassanis, who purchased the land that became the colony of Castorland, New York, in 1792. Includes a copy of Tillier's response in which he states the matter will be addressed in court, dated August 29, 1799. Also includes a copy of Richard Coxe's account of a meeting with Tillier, dated September 7, 1799, in which Coxe indicated Morris had given him power of attorney and he demanded all papers pertaining to Castorland, but Tillier refused and denied Morris' ability to replace him as agent. Tillier became the agent for Castorland in 1796, he…

GLC00087.05

September 16, 1799

Morris, Gouverneur, 1752-1816

Letter

Title: Copy of letter to [Pierre] Chassanis (in French)

Copy of a letter to Pierre Chassanis written in French, possibly from Gouverneur Morris. Was included in a letter from Rudolph Tillier to Morris.

GLC00087.06

April 3, 1784

Morris, Gouverneur, 1752-1816

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Anthony White

Sends White his family's heraldic arms via White's cousin, John Tudor of Bermuda. "No. 103" appears at the top of the page. The recipient is possibly Anthony Walton White, an adjutant general during the Revolutionary War.

GLC00092.03

April 10, 1793

Morris, Gouverneur, 1752-1816

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Robert Morris

Gouverneur Morris was writing to Robert Morris introducing Pierre Huger who wished to establish himself in America. Written as U.S. minister to France.

GLC00297.03

1779

Morris, Gouverneur, 1752-1816

Book

Title: Observations on the American Revolution

Morris' notes on the conduct of Biritish and American forces, and on the revolution. Published by Styner & Cist.

GLC01450.805.01

13 September 1782

Morris, Gouverneur, 1752-1816

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by Morris as Assistant Superintendent of Finance to Major General Knox. A sarcastic letter expressing annoyance about Congress and their activities after receiving information on the conduct at Elizabethtown -- probably a reference to the negotiations for prisoner exchanges or for the evacuation of New York City taking place there. Says "Our Sovereign Lords the Congress have at length assented to (not approved of) our Conduct at Elizabeth town." It seems that Congress was not willing to respond harshly to General Sir Henry Clinton's letter, which expressed things the American…

GLC02437.01608

21 July 1783

Morris, Gouverneur, 1752-1816

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by Morris as Assistant Superintendent of Finance to Major General Knox. This is a letter of introduction for a Mr. Darby. Says he is a gentleman of good family and genteel accomplishments. Reports that his reputation is well recommended. Signer of the U.S. Constitution.

GLC02437.02312

6 October 1783

Morris, Gouverneur, 1752-1816

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Informs Knox that he has visitors passing through, a Mr. Vernon and the Count Wengierski, and asks if Knox would mind showing them West Point. Signer of the U.S. Constitution.

GLC02437.02622

9 January 1787

Morris, Gouverneur, 1752-1816

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes that he has not replied yet to Knox because he expected to see Colonel [Jeremiah] Wadsworth in Philadelphia, but has not yet, and does not know when he will arrive. Declares that the newspapers will have informed Knox that Pennsylvania has "appointed me a Commissioner on her Part to meet at the Convention in May. Had the object been any other than it is I would have declined. The appointment was the most unexpected thing that ever happened to me for I have not only declared in general my unwillingness to accept of any thing under this State but in this particular instance objected to…

GLC02437.03411

1 November 1787

Morris, Gouverneur, 1752-1816

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Must decline Knox's offer to participate in a business deal. Explains that the need for him to decide on the matter immediately makes him reluctant to agree. Also argues, "[t]o hold a small Share is not worth our while, to hold a large one, say 1/2 or 3/4, might prove inconvenient." Might consider participating if an opportunity arises at a later date. Noted as private. See GLC02437.03686 for Knox's offer to Morris. Signer of the U.S. Constitution.

GLC02437.03692

10 December 1788

Morris, Gouverneur, 1752-1816

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Morris, who will soon embark for Europe, thanks Knox for his well wishes (GLC02437.04045). Notes, "Whatever Orders you have in Europe if (as Mr. Burgoyne says) within my Scale of Talent command me." Signer of the U.S. Constitution.

GLC02437.04046

February 7, 1783

Morris, Gouverneur, 1752-1816

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by Morris as the Assistant Superintendent of Finance to Major General Knox. Wants to give him an update on affairs. Says "It has given me much Pain to see the army looking wildly for a Redress of Grievances" -- a reference to the half-pay pensions the officers desired. Says that "During the War they find you useful and after a Peace they will wish to get rid of you And they will see you starve rather than pay a six Penny Tax.." Says experience has made him take this point of view. Predicts that "the best Legislature on the Continent will do Things which the worst man among them would…

GLC02437.01897

6 December 1812

Morris, Gouverneur, 1752-1816

Pamphlet

Title: Discourse Delivered Before The New-York Historical Society at Their Anniversary Meeting, 6th December, 1812

JB00069

1807/07/19

Morris, Gouverneur, 1752-1816

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Stephen Van Rensselaer re: providing an introduction

GLC02470.27

February 28, 1783

Morris, Gouverneur, 1752-1816

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by Morris as Assistant Secretary of Finance to Major General Knox. References Knox's letter sent by General Lincoln. Is sending copies of Robert Morris's letter of resignation (not included here). Says this news should not be unexpected. Says he has three more months of "hopeless Slavery to encounter in this Office." Knox expressed a desire to help, but Morris says he does not know how he could use him. Mocks Congress, saying "It is not in them to conceive great nor to pursue just Ideas. Nature sparing in good Gifts has been prodigal of Littleness to them. And fortune has placed them…

GLC02437.01963

1789/05/11

Morris, Gouverneur, 1752-1816

Autograph letter signed

Title: to "Madam" re: descriptions of Paris and the opening of States General

"I had the Honor to be present on the fifth of this Month at the opening of the States General. A Spectacle more solemn to the mind, than gaudy to the Eye."

GLC07662

1807/11/06

Morris, Gouverneur, 1752-1816

Autograph letter signed

Title: to David Parish re: Embargo Act: "Our President... seems to be out of his wits"

Morris writes of Jefferson: "Our President (to judge his Message) seems to be out of his wits. If I am not much mistaken, this session will, according to the vulgar phrase do him over."

GLC04842.11