Plate 11: above the design: 'french habits. N° 11'. Sir william pulteney sits directed to the left on the lowest of three large brass-bound treasure-chests. He wears a powdered wig, plain black coat and breeches, and top-boots. On the left side of his coat hangs a gold key, another is in his left hand. His right elbow rests on a chest and he looks through a single glass at a large open book: 'l'etat de les finances. République'. His hat and gloves are beside him. Behind is a pilastered wall and the corner (left) of a decorated ceiling. See bmsat 9196. The dress of the treasurers of departments was 'a common black coat; on the left side a small key embroidered in gold'. Pulteney, who occasionally spoke and voted against the ministry, was designated by lord moira as his chancellor of the exchequer in the letter (15 june 1797) in which he proposed to form a 'third party' administration which should exclude both pitt and fox. This long letter was printed in full in the newspapers of 2-3 jan. 1798: 'hitherto nobody has been designated for any particular office but sir wm. Pulteney. ' cf. The 'ode to lord moira' (see bmsat 9184) on his proposal:
'old pulteney too, your influence feels,
and asks from you th' exchequer seals,
to tax and save the nation. . '. 21 may 1798
hand-coloured etching. Date: 1798. Dimensions: Height: 261 mm; Width: 193 mm. Medium: paper. Depicted People: Sir William Pulteney. Collection: British Museum. Le Tresorier (BM 1868,0808.6737)
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