This is from Chapter 57, dedicated to Brutus #10.
***
The Fallout from the Newburgh Conspiracy
22 It remains a secret yet to be revealed whether this measure was not suggested or at least countenanced by some who have had great influence in producing the present system.
Brutus explains how George Washington stood up to the coup plotters at Newburgh in 1783, and how his character and example stopped the budding attempt at fascism. Brutus understood that if someone of lesser character had been at the head of the Continental Army, the Confederation would have been toppled and replaced with a dictator or king. The identities of Robert Morris, the Philadelphia banker, and Gouveneur Morris, his assistant, as the instigators of the plot, were unknown at the time except among the men who had comprised Washington’s staff at the end of the war.
Robert Morris had been the Superintendent of Finance and was responsible for keeping the infant nation afloat during the war, founding the Bank of North America, the nation’s first attempt at a central bank. The bank issued paper money backed by gold, silver and commercial paper from France and the Netherlands. However, due to charges of foreign influence, Pennsylvania revoked the charter of the central bank, and the bank reformed under a charter with a much smaller domain of operations.
The Morrises were able to cover their tracks well enough that they were chosen to represent Pennsylvania at the Constitutional Convention. Robert, Gouveneur, and their lawyer, James Wilson, played key roles in writing the Constitution.
When Washington arrived in Philadelphia, he was supposed to stay in rooms rented from Mrs. Mary House. But Robert Morris intercepted Washington’s coach and asked him to stay at his own home. Washington had earlier turned down a written offer to stay with Morris, but he wasn’t going to be seen to turn down a public offer. After unloading his luggage at the Morris home, he immediately took leave of the financier and went to the home of Benjamin Franklin to pay his respects. Washington had delivered a message, although a subtle one.
Gouveneur Morris didn’t get off so easily. David Stewart tells of a social event preceding the Convention. Gouveneur asked Hamilton, the man who had been the conduit between the Morrises and Washington at Newburgh, if His Excellency was as austere as he had heard. Hamilton, knowing Washington’s opinion of the man, suggested he give the general a hearty welcome. Morris went up to Washington, slapped him on the back and welcomed him to Philadelphia. Washington slowly turned and gave Morris a look that would have frozen brimstone. Morris beat a hasty retreat, while Hamilton tried valiantly to hide his mirth.
Despite what had happened four years earlier, Washington let bygones be bygones. Robert Morris’ financial acumen was going to be necessary to the enterprise, as was Gouveneur’s way with words. Their able lawyer, James Wilson, was to be one of the leading lights of the Convention.
Within the tightly knit legal community of New York, Brutus may have heard whispered details of the Newburgh incident from Hamilton or others. Without naming names, he suggests the coup plotters may have been present at the Convention – which they were.
Thanks for the post. I am just starting his volume including the Constitutional Convention.