28 Oct r 1807

L d Eldon's Bill

'.14

Interim possession

To delineate the power in these general terms, was to give to it all the /the utmost/ latitude it was susceptible of: to state /stating/ just the object, the end in view to which the exercise of this power was directed, would have been to limit it /limited it/: the President's learned Draughtsman has given no intimation of any such end /said nothing about the end/.

Be this as it may the clearest and most convenient order course[?] in point of order the clearest and most convenient course would have been, as above, to begin with stating the power meant to be conferred: this being done would have served as a guide to whatsoever should come to be provided touching the /any/ /on the subject of/ particular steps to be taken for the purpose of calling that power into exercise. This course he has not taken: but what he has done, and properly done in consideration of the general description that was immediately to be given of the power - is the giving a due generality to the description of the proceedings that were to be directed to that end: having with perfect propriety the adjustment of these details to the Court below by which the power was to be exercised.

This generality this clear and apposite simplicity is as usual insufficient to the anxious and superintending eye of Lord Eldon's learned Draughtsman. Precision is the object at which in his own way he aims, and which so sure as he aims at it, so sure is he to miss, seizing and disseminating confusion and perplexity in the stead.