The Virginia Gazette

We hear that the absence and severe indisposition of a patriot Nobleman has not prevented him from studying many things for the good of his country, to whose interest he is ever attentive; particularly that, in order to lessen the national debt, he has formed a plan which will ease the people, and at the same time increase the revenue, the substance of which is said to be as follows:

First, That a commission is to be established, by legislative authority, with power to inquire by oath into the abuses of collecting and managing every branch of the Publick Revenue, as well as the Civil List. To examine into the Supernumerary and useless offices, as well as exorbitant salaries and extorted fees. To look into the bills of the lower officers of the Household, of the Builders, Stationers, Gardeners, with all the ravenous crew. To search into the pensions, and the pretences for granting them; and, in short, into every part of the expense of the Civil List, except his Majesty's privy purse, and lay this inquiry before the Parliament in the succeeding Sessions, with the heads under which they conceive a regulation of the expense may be made.

Secondly, That it shall be made high treason for any person to pay, or any Member of Parliament to receive, in trust or otherwise, any pension, sum of money, or other gratuity from the Crown, unless it be entered in the publick office, with the reasons for granting it, to which office every one may have admittance; and that an inquiry is to be made into all present pensions, and such as cannot stand that test to be returned. These are things truly worthy of such a patriot, and will prove that the principles of the Peer are the same with those of the Great Commoner.