Robert Morris

Welcome. I'm Robert Morris, merchant, patriot and steward of a revolution that nearly bankrupted me but never broke me. When I arrived In America at 14 from Liverpool, I had no family, but ambition. By the time war stirred these colonies, I built a thriving mercantile empire. And when liberty called, I answered. I did not vote for independence. On July 2nd, I feared chaos. When the time for the vote came, I left the room so that independence could pass without my dissenting vote. But once committed, I signed with resolve. It is the duty of every man to act in whatever station his country may call him to in times of distress. My country called, I answered. I helped found our navy, launched our first national bank and poured my own fortune into Washington's army. At Yorktown, when the troops need to pay, I paid them. They called me the financier of the revolution. I simply did what had to be done. Freedom has costs. I bore them. Now, what we so dearly bought is for you to keep.