Robert Morris, Jr. was America's richest man in 1776. The stroke of his pen sent waves of currencies bounding over oceans, lapping every shore, spilling in and out of vaults, enriching merchants, planters, friends, family-and above all Robert Morris himself. His money bought and sold gold, silver, tea, tobacco, grain, iron ore, timber, cotton, silks and satin, silverware, china, foodstuffs, fine wines, furniture, cannons, cannon balls, rifles, slaves,...