The Gouverneur Morris Papers

This blog is kept updated by the editors of the Gouverneur Morris Papers, a project affiliated with the New-York Historical Society. The Gouverneur Morris Papers project is in the process of transcribing and annotating the papers of Morris to modern editorial standards. The first book of materials, "The Diaries of Gouverneur Morris: European Travels, 1794-1798" was published by the University of Virginia Press in 2011. Work is currently progressing on the second volume, of his diaries from 1799 until 1816, the year of his death.

We have created the blog, and expect soon to have a small website, in order that people interested in the project will be able to locate it.  You can contact us via millermelanie830@gmail.com. 

For those unfamiliar with Morris (1752-1816), here is a little preliminary background in the form of "Things every American really should know about Gouverneur Morris."

1.  He was a significant contributor to the U.S. Constitution, drafting its final version and writing the Preamble.

2.  He was (in our opinion but most agree) the most engaging Founding Father next to Benjamin Franklin, and one of the most talented:  he was a great writer, a great speaker, he had a wonderful sense of humor, one that George Washington, his friend, appreciated.

3.  He was our minister to France from 1792-94, during the height of the French Revolution, replacing Jefferson (who left in 1789).  It was the most terrifying period of the Revolution, and his service to our country is unparalled in diplomatic history, and deserves recognition, respect -- and further study.

4.  He was an early and significant promoter of the Erie Canal.

5.  He was a member of the commission that designed the modern layout of the streets of Manhattan. 


There's more -- much more!  and we'll be writing about it.

Melanie R. Miller, editor
Hendrina  Krol, associate editor
Gouverneur Morris Papers