In 1783-84 he returned to New York, the treaty of peace having been signed, and visited his mother at Morrisania after an absence of nearly seven years. The estate had sufiered much by the dej^redations of tlie troops on both sides. Timber had been cut off of four hundred and seventy-four acres of woodland and used for ship building, artillery and fire-wood. De Lancey's corps had been quartered on the property, and had erected seventy huts and cultivated the land, burning the wood for fuel. By the terms of the treaty of peace the English were bound to pay these claims, and they were duly presented to the government in England by General Staats Long Morris. Gouverneur, in themeautinie, resumed the 2)ractice of the law, having resigned his jiositiou in the United States Treasury. Having made many connections in Philadelphia, he was practically a resident of that city for the next fi've years. In connection with Robert Morris he was engaged in many business operations, such as East India voyages on a large scale, shipments of tobacco from Virginia to France, and the smelting of iron on the Delaware River. He suggested a plan for the coinage of money, but Mr. Jefferson's plan was adopted by Congress.

In 1786 his mother died at Morrisania. The property east of Mill Brook fell to the share of General Staats Long Morris, who resided in England. Gouverneur, as the younger son, was to receive two thousand pounds from Staats, who had to pay seven thousand pounds in all to the younger children. Lewis had already received his share of the property by possessing that portion of Morrisania which lies west of the Mill Brook. As Staats had no intention of residing in America Gouverneur purchased his share and became seized, in fee of Morrisania east of the i Mill Brook, but still continued to reside in Philadol- | phia.