Council table[1]. But Charles II. answered the protestants that by their good leave he would chose his own council for Ireland, and Petty fearing that "a bare title without some trust might seem to the world a body without soul or spirit[2]," declined the peerage for a second time. Perhaps he consoled himself, as on the previous occasion, by reflecting that he "had rather be a copper farthing of intrinsic value than a brass half-crown, how gaudily soever it be stamped and guilded."
Upon his return to Ireland, 22 March, 1680, his old controversy with the farmers broke out again, and the vigour of his attack upon their abuses[3] attracted such attention that he was summoned to London in June, 1682, to take part in the discussion then going on before the Privy Council, as to the reorganization of the Irish revenues. He proposed the abolition of the farm, which was finally accomplished, and the imposition of a heavy ale license. Apparently he was not adverse to undertaking the direct collection of the taxes himself, but "by good luck" he "never solicited anybody in the case." His old rival. Sir James Shaen, now offered to increase the King's revenue nearly ₤ 8o,ooo a year upon a new farm—"a farm indeed, as it was drawn up" says Temple, "not of the revenue but of the crown of Ireland[4]." But the powerful influence of Essex, whom Temple charges with intriguing for a reappointment to the Lord Lieutenancy, was thrown in Shaen's favour. Petty was represented by some to be a conjurer and by some to be notional and fanciful near up to madness[5], the needs of the Exchequer were urgent, and the plan that promised ready cash was adopted. Deeply disappointed, Petty returned to Ireland in the summer of 1683 and
- ↑ Ossory to Ormond, 5 June, 1680, from Windsor: "Sir William Petty has desired mee to gett him to be made a Councellor.... Without your permission I shall not move in this matter." Seventh Rept. Hist. MSS. Com., 739 b.
- ↑ Lady Petty to Edmund Waller, 8 March, 1680, Fitzmaurice, 245.
- ↑ The farmers were also far behind in their payments to the Exchequer. On the 18 Feby., 1679, Danby wrote to Ormond that if some speedy care be not taken the present farm of the revenue of Ireland must break in the hands of those which now manage it. Fourteenth Rept. Hist. MSS. Com., pt. 7, p. 50.
- ↑ Works, ii. 526. Ranelagh predicted that Shaen would prove unable to execute his proposals. Ranelagh to Ormond, 12 July, 1681, Fourteenth Rept. Hist. MSS. Com., pt. 7, p. 53.
- ↑ Ormond's report to Petty, 16 Sept., 1682, Fitzmaurice 252. In Ackerman's Monies received and paid for Secret Services of Charles II. and James II., p. 58, is an entry, dated 9 Dec, 1682, of £2 "for copies of l'res concerning Sr Wm Petty and others."
