During the time of his service as a Congressman, though serving as chairman of three committees and performing the duties above referred to, he was forced to practice his profession, as his pay as a Congressman was not sufficient for his living ex]>enses. Not being returned to Congress, he [iracticed law in Pennsylvania, but still manifested a great interest in public aflfairs. In Feb- I ruary and March, 1780, he wrote a series of essays on I finance. In May of the latter year, he was thrown , from his carriage and sustained a fracture of his left leg and a dislocation of his ankle joint. Amputation was ordered by the surgeons and Mr. Morris is said to have borne the pain manfully.
The amputation is now cited by medical authorities as being a mistake in surgery and as having been unnecessarily made. As an illustration of his good nature and the phil- I osophy with which he bore the infliction, it is related I that a pious friend who called upon him to otter his I condolenc' , also informed him that the accident I was a blessing in disguise, as it would diminish the [ inducements for seeking the pleasures and dissipations of life, and give him ample time for pious meditation. iMurris replied : " My good sir, you argue the matter so handsomely, and point out so clearly the advantages of being without legs, that I am almost tempted to part with the other." In the house at Morrisania, [ built by Mr.
Morris in later years, are still to be I seen the imprints of his wooden stump made by ' him in going up and down stairs. To another , friend he said : " Oh, sir, the loss is much less , than you imagine ; I shall doubtless be a steadier ' man with one leg than with two." In 1781 RobcrP