By purchasing the rights of his brother, General Staats Long Morris, of the British army, he became possessed of all the Morrisania estate east of Mill Brook. He did not, however, abandon his residence in Philadelphia, and in 1787 he was elected a delegate from Pennsylvania to the federal constitutional convention. He spent the next ten years in Europe, and during the most violent period of the French Revolution was the American minister at Paris. While abroad he was employed in other important diplomatic connections. Returning to this country in 1798, he established his residence at Morrisania, where he built a new house. From 1800 to 1803 he served as United States senator from New York. " A change in parties prevented his re-election, and with the expiration of his term his political life ended. He passed the remainder of his life at Morrisania. ' An ample fortune, numerous friends, a charming retreat, and a tranquil home were the elements of his happiness and filled up the measure of his hopes.' " x The leisure of his closing years was devoted to study, literary pursuits, and the advocacy of 1 This citation well indicates the tastes and temperament of the man. He possessed a very lovable nature, though marked by great dignity of character. Asked to give his description of a gentleman, Gouverneur Morris wrote the following lines: 'Tis he whose every thought and deed By rule of virtue moves, Whose generous tongue disdains to speak The tiling his heart disproves. AVlm never did a slander forge, His neighbor's fame to wound; Nor hearken to a false report By malice whispered 'round.