tenants of the respective counties. When the whole return was complete, Mr. Dundas might be directed to put the ideas in a large decanter, and Mr. Pitt and he might pour them out, as existing circumstances might require. Sir W. Young observed that such a ballot would fall very inconveniently on many gentlemen, who might thereby be delivered of the only idea they had in the world. Sir Gregory Page Turner said, he did not pretend to deny his having an idea, but declared to God if it were rejected by the Deputy Lieutenants he should not know which way to turn for a substitute.
Sir J. Marriott and Dr. Laurence gave it as the opinion of the best publicists of the Old School, that it might lead to a very unpleasant disclosure, in the case of acting justices and landed gentlemen in the country, and that it might affect the rights of Corporations, most of whom had only ideas granted by ancient charters from the Crown, certainly not impaired by use, but still most important to be preserved entire and undiminished.
Mr. Boyd offered the Minister ideas dated Hamburg, and on very moderate discount; they might be drawn in London and accepted by the Treasury.
Mr. Pitt said he could rely on the candour of the majority of the House of Commons for their support in a time of scarcity of ideas: the same patriotic conduct they had shown in the scarcity of bread corn, namely, to be satisfied with ideas of an inferior quality; it always gave him pain to distress the country gentlemen as he felt this particular requisition would; but he had the satisfaction of adding, that very few ideas would be wanting, and those reducible at a short date. Seven or eight of any sort would enable him to make six speeches of three hours and a half each, which would carry on the session perfectly well till the Easter recess; and as the Secretary of War had kindly consented not to expend any, he was under no difficulties but about the Admiralty. Mr. Pybus assured the Chan. of the Exchequer that the board had done so well without ideas of late, that he need not give himself any concern on their account. Mr. Pitt thanked Mr. Pybus very politely, and observed, that in that case, without any violation of the Appropriation Act, the Admiralty ideas might be put into the Poor-bill. The Duke of Dorset hoped that if the Minister persisted in the plan of putting ideas in requisition, his Majesty's menial servants would be exempted. Mr. Pitt assured his Grace that he need be under no sort of anxiety, the case being perfectly analogous to the powder licence; as they were both a sort of Poll-tax.
Mr. Pitt returned the gentlemen present a great many thanks for their very obliging advice; told Mr. Rose to make a
