LORD ELLENBOROUGH'S DIARY

1828-1830

VOL. II. 

 A POLITICAL DIARY 1828-1830 BY EDWARD LAW LORD ELLENBOROUGH

 EDITED BY LORD COLCHESTER

[Illustration: fide et fiducia]

 IN TWO VOLUMES VOL. II. 

 LONDON RICHARD BENTLEY & SON, NEW BURLINGTON STREET Publishers in Ordinary to Her Majesty the Queen 1881

DIARY

_April 1, 1829. _

The Duke of Wellington wrote to the King to ask if he had any objection toraising the galleries. He had none. So we sent for Sir T. Tyrwhit, and hadhim at the Cabinet dinner to ask him whether he could fix the galleries byfour to-morrow. He said _No_. So we must do as we can. 

Forty foreigners applied for seats to-day after four o'clock. 

In the House I made the second reading of the Bills an order of the day atthe desire of Lord Malmesbury and Lord Grey. It is more formal so, but thesecond reading might have been equally well moved without it. 

Lord Grey said a few words on presenting a petition expressing a hope to beconvinced on the subject of the Franchise Bill, but laying ground forvoting against it. Lord Malmesbury likewise expressed himself against it. We shall be hard pushed on this Bill. The Duke says we have 122 sure votesand no more upon it. 

The Bishop of Chester read prayers, his wife having died about ten daysago. Really some one of the other Bishops might have relieved him. 

Lord Shaftesbury, in the absence of the Chancellor, sat as Speaker. I movedthe bills _pro formâ_ for him. 

At the Cabinet dinner at Peel's, Peel said the Bishop of Oxford was readyto speak at any time, and wished to follow a violent bishop. He may easilyfind one. 

We had much talk about our approaching debates. Peel, after the Duke wasgone, regretted his having taken the line of expressing his anxiety torelieve himself from the obloquy cast upon him, and his having put thatdesire forward as his reason for pressing the second reading of the Bill onThursday. The Duke having said so, we could not back him out. We mightavoid taking the same ground, but we could not alter it. 

Aberdeen mentioned the case of the Candian blockade. I am sorry to see hedoes not communicate beforehand now with the Duke. He never looks forwardto the ultimate consequences of his measures. Now he talks of convoyingEnglish ships to Candia, and telling them they may go there safely, and ifstopped shall be indemnified. But if the English ship finds a Russian offCandia, and is warned off, yet persists, under the expectation ofindemnity, we should be obliged to pay the indemnity. The Russians, havinggiven warning, would be justified in taking the vessel. 

So if we give convoy, and the convoy ship persists, we should come toblows. All these things should be foreseen. Aberdeen thinks Lièven isignorant of Heyden's having had any orders. He excuses him as having actedin the spirit of the treaty, to _avoid the effusion_ of blood!

One thing is clear; we cannot permit Russia, as a belligerent, to defeatthe objects of the Treaty of London, and yet act with her under thattreaty. 

_April 2. _

Second reading Catholic Relief Bill. The Duke made a very bad speech. TheArchbishop of Canterbury drivelled. The Primate of Ireland made a strongspeech, his manner admirable. Both these against. The Bishop of Oxford hadplaced himself at our disposal to be used when wanted. We put him into thedebate here, wanting him very much. The first part of his speech was veryindifferent, the latter excellent. Lord Lansdowne spoke better than he hasdone for some time, indeed for two years. The Bishop of London against us;but he made a speech more useful than ten votes, in admirable taste, looking to the measure as one to be certainly accomplished, &c. The Duke ofRichmond spoke very shortly, but better than he has ever done, in reply. Weadjourned at 1. 

229 members in the House. Room for thirty more; the House not oppressivelyhot; numbers of women. The tone of the debate temperate. 

_April 3. _

A speech from the Bishop of Durham, full of fallacies and extravagant, buthaving its effect. 

The Chancellor spoke admirably, endeavouring to bring up Eldon, but the oldman would not move. He wanted more time to consider his answer, by which hewill not improve it. 

A speech from Goderich, very animated in his way, and very heavy. The Housedid not cheer him once. He pressed himself upon it with bad taste. He spokeupon all the collateral and unimportant points. He swung his arm about likea boy throwing a stone from a sling. 

Lord Mansfield spoke, sleepily and ill-naturedly. I was exhausted, andcould not have answered him, had he said anything worth answering. 

We adjourned at two till one to-morrow. 

_April 4. _

House at 1. A long absurd speech from Lord Guildford, which must have givenmuch pain to Lady Ch. Lindsay, who sat under the throne, and who must havebeen much annoyed at seeing to what her family had fallen. We had then LordLilford, who rested too much on his notes, but who has a good manner. Hedrew his points well, and spoke like a man, not like a boy. 

Lord Tenterden was not powerful. Lord Grey spoke better than he has donesince 1827. He made a speech too long, and indeed the last half-hour was ofno use. He beat the brains out of the Coronation Oath, as an obstacle toCatholic Concession, and read a curious letter of Lord Yestor to LordTweddale, dated April, 1689, before William III. Took the Coronation Oath, in which Lord Tester mentions that it was understood that the king had incouncil declared his understanding of the sense of the Coronation Oath--that it bound him in his executive capacity, not in his legislative. LordWestmoreland made an odd, entertaining from its manner, and really verygood speech. He supported the Bill. 

Lord Eldon, who, after an ineffectual attempt on the part of Lord Redesdaleto speak, followed Lord Grey, made a very weak, inefficient, powerlessspeech. He seemed beaten, and in some respects his memory had failed him. 

Lord Plunket drew, with great power, a picture of the state of society inIreland as affected by the laws. The whole of his speech was powerful. 

His speech and Lord Grey's were excellent. 

After a few sentences from Lord Farnham we divided. 

 Present for 149 Against 79 ---- Majority 68 Proxies for 70 Against 33 ---- Total Content 217 Not Content 112 ---- Majority 105

This will quiet Windsor. The King was to have received a number ofpetitions to be presented by peers to-day. The Primate of Ireland was tohave gone, and the Irish Bishops. The latter went. If they had not gone, the King would have made some excuse for not receiving them. 

The majority must put an end to all agitation in England, and tranquilliseIreland. Indeed as regards this question Ireland is tranquil. The conductof the Catholics has been as excellent as that of the Protestants. Hithertothe announcement of the measure has produced effects beyond what wasanticipated from its adoption. 

The Duke of Rutland, who was not expected, and indeed every doubtful votewas with us. 

The Protestants are subdued. 

Lord Grey's speech, but still more Lord Plunket's, will have a greatereffect upon the public mind, than any which have yet been delivered. 

Really it seems like a dream! That I should, if I lived, live to see this Idid expect; but that I should see it so soon, and that I should happen tobe a member of the Government that carried it, I did not expect. I must saywith what delight I view the prospect of having Catholics in Parliament. Iam sure it will do more for the happiness of Ireland, and for the strengthof the Empire, than any measure that could have been adopted. 

_April 5. _

Dined with Lady Sandwich and met the Arbuthnots, with whom I had a longtalk. She told me the Duke wanted to bring in Lord Chandos, by way ofconciliating the Tories. She thought Lord Rosslyn ought to have the PrivySeal, and that, considering their late conduct, the Whigs should bepreferred to the Tories, whom we should have at any rate. That it wasenough not to punish them by depriving them of their offices. 

In all this I agree. I think if the Duke should go to the Tories and turnhis back upon the Whigs after what has taken place, he will make Oppositionvery acrimonious, and our debates very disagreeable. 

I told her if the Privy Seal was to be a Tory, I thought the Duke ofRichmond the best. He is the most popular man in the House of Lords, and agood debater. The Duke and Lord Bathurst say he is cunning; but as far as Ican judge he acts fairly. 

_April 6. _

House. Second reading Franchise Bill. Opposed by the Duke of Richmond, LordMalmesbury, Winchelsea, and Clanricarde. Lord Holland spoke in favour ofthe Bill as connected with the Relief Bill. The Whigs voted with us. Dudleyspoke in favour, just to separate himself from the Canningites, for whomHaddington spoke, more reluctant than the Whigs. 

Lord Winchelsea was very mad, wished to expel the bishops, to preventtranslations, equalise their sees, &c. We had 139 to 19. The minoritywere--Dukes: Cumberland, Gloucester, Brandon, Richmond, Newcastle;Marquises--Salisbury, Clanrickarde; Earls--Winchelsea Malmesbury, O'Neil;Lords--Falmouth, Penrhyn, Boston, Grantley, Glenlyon; Earl Digby, EarlRomney. 

The Duke goes to Windsor on Saturday to get the King to consent to give theRoyal assent on Thursday, the day before Good Friday. The Duke ofCumberland has been mischievous at Windsor. The King fancies he is in thesituation of Louis XVI. That he shall run down by Liberalism. The Duke ofCumberland swears he will turn us out, let who will be Ministers. 

_April 7. _

Lord Eldon and others opened afresh the question as to the principle of theBill on the first clause. We divided with more than 2 to 1. 

The Bishops and Lord Eldon got into a theological discussion. 

The Chancellor made a strong attack upon Lord Eldon, who really spoke verychildishly. 

We had as many women as ever, but a new set, and some of the prettiestgirls in London--Miss Bagot, Miss Sheridan, and others. 

At Windsor, last Sunday, the Duke of Cumberland spoke very warmly indeed toAberdeen about the Duke of Wellington. He said he had sat by us as ourfriend, till the King's Ministers joined in the _hoot_ against him. (Thiswas particularly Lord Bathurst, who shook his head at him and cheeredoffensively. ) He seems in speaking of the Duke of Wellington to have usedterms hardly to be expected. 

He told the Chancellor to-day that he should, before the Bill passed, declare he never could again feel confidence in His Majesty's Ministers;that the country was ruined; and that he should leave it and never return. 

The Chancellor told him he advised him not to make the last promise. I hopehe will make it and keep it. 

I observed him afterwards address the Chancellor very warmly, after he hadattacked Eldon. 

A man of the name of Halcomb has advertised for a meeting on Friday, on theroad to Windsor, to carry petitions to the King. 

April 8. 

Committee on Relief Bill. No division. Several amendments. Those of LordTenterden very silly. 

I said a very few words twice. 

The third reading is fixed for Friday. When the Duke of Cumberland heardthe third reading fixed he left the House like a disappointed fiend. He didnot take his hat off till he had got half-way down. 

Lord Eldon seems quite beaten. 

_April 9. _

Lord Eldon went to Windsor to-day with petitions. Yesterday Lord Howe andthree others went. I believe these peers have been: Duke of Newcastle, Kenyon, Rolle, Howe, O'Neil, Bexley, Winchelsea, Farnham, and six bishops. 

Cabinet at 2. A meeting is advertised for to-morrow, to take place atApsley House. Then to proceed to Slough or Salt Hill, or to Eton, todeliver there a petition to the Duke of Cumberland, who is then to presentit to the King, and the people are to wait for an answer. 

The Duke has written to the King, acquainting him with the plan, andadvising His Majesty to refuse to receive the petition except through thehands of Mr. Peel. 

Peel is going down to Windsor himself. The Duke writes to-night to tell theKing he is going, and to repeat his advice of this morning as coming fromthe Cabinet. 

If the King will not take Peel's advice we go out. 

The Duke thinks the King will yield, and that the meeting will be afailure. So have I thought from the first. There is no agitation in London. No feeling, no excitement. The King will know Peel is coming in time to beable to inform the Duke of Cumberland, and prevent his setting out. 

In the House about nine the Duke received a letter from Sir W. Knighton, informing him that he had _no doubt_ the King would take his advicerespecting the petitions. Eldon was there, and probably saw the letter. 

House. Got through the report of the Franchise Bill. Third reading fixedfor to-morrow. I had to say a few words. 

_April 11, 1829. _

House. A long speech from Lord Eldon, containing no argument, and both flatand bad. 

Then a speech from Lord Harrowby, long and sensible; but heavily deliveredand not wanted. A long speech from Lord Lansdowne, still less wanted, andvery dull. 

The Duke was obliged to say something civil to the Whigs, but he did itsparingly, and _contre coeur_. 

We had a majority of 104. The Franchise Bill was likewise read a thirdtime. 

The mutual congratulations were cordial. The House is in good humour again. All are glad to get rid of the question. The Duke of Cumberland, Falmouth, and Winchelsea, perhaps Kenyon, are lost to the Government, but no others. 

Lord Middleton voted with us, having been against on the second reading. The Duke of Rutland against, having been with us before. 

The Duke of Clarence was absent, being ill. He had fourteen leeches on histemples. 

The House was full of ladies. Mrs. Fox, Lady Jersey, Lady Pitt and herdaughters, Lady A. Brudenell, Lady Harrowby, Lady G. Wortley, Lord Eldon'sdaughters, Lady Glengall, Mrs. And Miss Sheridan, the old Duchess ofRichmond, Lady Manners, Lady Rolle, Lady Haddington, and many others. 

The intended row failed altogether. Only four carriages went down toWindsor. Halcomb and his two friends saw an equerry. They were told theirpetition must be presented through the Secretary of State, and went awayquietly. 

The Duke of Cumberland said he must withdraw his support from theGovernment; but he was temperate. In fact he was beaten. 

The Duke of Norfolk was in the House, as happy as man could be. 

_April 11. _

Dr. Clarke and H. Fane both spoke of the Chancellor's speech in attack uponEldon, as in bad taste and offensive. I shall endeavour to ascertainwhether this is the general opinion. Not having heard Eldon, they cannotknow how very mischievous and disingenuous he was. 

_April 12. _

Met the Lievens, Lyndhursts, Sir J. Murray, and others at dinner, at theEsterhazy's. The King has not yet sent back the commission to pass theCatholic Bill. 

The Lievens are more shy of me than ever. 

Lord Bathurst seemed to be much pleased with my idea of carrying on theGovernment of India in the King's name. He said it should be under aSecretary of State for India. 

The Chancellor approved highly of my notion of suggesting Herries for theGovernment of Bombay, if the directors will not have Courtney. He isuseless to us, and a discredit. Besides, we want his place. 

Had some talk with Vernon at Lady Jersey's. He has the Canning venom abouthim still, and said we should still regret having lost Huskisson, &c. 

I said NEVER. He was an able man, but he would never do as a member of aCabinet in which he was not chief. The Government would not have lived ifhe had continued in. I told him I had become satisfied from my shortexperience that a coalition Government could not conduct the affairs of thecountry with advantage--especially where the difference was [blank]. 

The Duke of Cumberland is gone to Windsor. If the commission should notarrive to-night I dare say the Duke of Wellington will go to Windsor earlyto-morrow. 

Lady Jersey was very loud in her dispraise of the Duke of Richmond. Everyone who knows him says he is very cunning. There is a mixture of good andbad taste about him. He is popular, and he would make a good man ofbusiness. 

_April 13, 1829, Monday. _

Chairs at 11. Informed them of Sir Sidney Beckwith's appointment to thecommand at Bombay. 

Told them my general idea was that it was necessary to fix a Lieutenant-Governor at Agra. I showed them it could be done without expense. SirCharles Metcalfe should be the person appointed, with precise instructionsobliging him to a system of non-interference in the internal concerns ofthe Malwa and Rajpoot States. Sir J. Malcolm would have interposed. 

The treaties with the Rajpoot States generally secure their internalindependence. Those with the States of Malwa give us the right, and imposeupon us the duty of supervision. It requires, therefore, a most delicatehand to bring the whole into one system animated by one spirit. 

I said incidentally to-day, 'I will not sit here to sacrifice India toEngland, ' a sentiment which escaped me, but which I feel to be correct, notonly socially but politically. 

Ashley came and bored me about a petition of some Hindoos and Mahometans inCalcutta, who wish to be grand jurors. I told him I could not proceedhastily in any matter of legislation, and that this was one of muchdelicacy. I should speak to Fergusson. 

A Cabinet had been fixed for 3. I concluded it was on account of a delay onthe King's part in giving the Royal assent to the Relief Bill. The Cabinetwas counter-ordered, the Commission having arrived at two. 

The Chancellor had sent a note to the King with the Bills, calling hisattention to them. The King, on sending them back with the Commissionsigned, thanked the Chancellor for having called his attention to theBills, and said he gave his assent reluctantly. 

The Chancellor had sent a note last night to Watson, the Equerry, desiringhim to remind the King of the Commission. 

So at a few minutes before four to-day the Chancellor, Lord Bathurst, and Isat as Commissioners to give the Royal assent to the Relief Bill, and aboutthirty-nine others. So many had been kept back to force an early decision. The Indemnity Bill was one of the Bills, and the Militia Lists Billanother. There were thirteen peers in the House, and seven or eight moreabout. Lord Savoy, his son, young Lambton, Lady Petres, and her daughters, Mrs. Fox, and some other ladies were there--Lady Stanhope. The old Duchessof Richmond came too late. 

I observed that in passing each other very close the Duke of Wellington andthe Duke of Cumberland took no notice of each other. 

Lord Durham said to me, 'Now the King will turn you all out in revenge assoon as he can, ' to which I assented. He certainly will when he dares. 

The Duke of Norfolk and Mr. Petres were in the House, giving and receivingcongratulations. All parties congratulate the Duke. Falmouth alone stilllooks sad and sombre. The Duke of Wellington has a bad cold. He was veryhoarse, and wrapped himself in his cloak as soon as he had done speaking. 

_April 14. _

Saw Mr. Fergusson respecting a petition from Hindoos and Mahometans atCalcutta, praying to be allowed to sit on grand juries. He thinks theyshould--as they are allowed to sit on petty juries. If the matter had beenwell considered, the privilege they now ask should have been granted beforethat they have obtained. 

Mr. Fergusson is, however, rather afraid of allowing them to sit on thetrial of Christians. 

By the newspapers I see that there has been a quarrel at Teheran, betweensome of the Russian Ambassador's suite and the populace, which led to anattack upon the Russian palace, and to the death of the Ambassador and allhis people except two. This is an unfortunate event, as it will give theRussians a new claim to indemnity, which they will exercise inexorably. Probably they will insist on the junction of Persia in the attack onTurkey, as the only satisfaction they can accept. 

It is just possible that the example once given, and the people despairingof pardon, a rising against the Russians may take place, and something of anational feeling arise in Persia. But I fear this will not be the case. Isuppose our Minister was at Tabriz. 

_April 15. _

The Duke was at Windsor to-day to ask the King's permission to restore theresigners. The King said he thought the Duke could not do better. He justmentioned Wetherell's name as if he thought he was to be excepted from therestoration, but desired to be _certior-factus_. 

The King was cold. The Duke had to wait twenty minutes, the Duke ofCumberland being with the King. However, I believe this delay may only haveoriginated in a necessary change of dress on His Majesty's part, as he wassitting for his picture _in a Highland dress_. The Duke saw a large plaidbonnet in the room, and he believes the King had still on plaid stockings. The business of the restoration was finished in ten minutes, when theconversation flagged, and the Duke was rising to go away. 

However, something more was then said, and the interview in all lastedtwenty minutes. The King said he was delighted with Lord Winchelsea. He wasso gentlemanlike, and spoke _in so low a tone of voice!_ He likewisethought Lord Farnham very gentlemanlike, and Lord Rolle more violent thanany. 

The Duke had to wait twenty minutes before he could see Lady Conyngham. They seemed to wish him not to see her. However, he did. She said all wouldhave been quiet if the Duke of Cumberland had not come over, and all wouldbe quiet when he went away. The King seemed relieved since the Bill waspassed. 

On his return the Duke sent for George Bankes and offered him his placeagain. Bankes asked two or three days to consider. The Duke gave him tillto-morrow. 

It seems he has now a notion that he owed his place not to the Duke but tosome other influence. I think this has been insinuated to him since hisresignation. The fact is otherwise. The King had mentioned Bankes for othersituations, but not for the one he holds. On my return home I found Bankeshad called upon me. 

After dinner we considered whether the prosecution of Lawless for hisconduct at Ballybeg should be persevered in. 

Goulbourn, Peel, Lord Bathurst, Sir G. Murray, and I were for dropping it. I think the Chancellor inclined the same way. The Duke and the rest, Aberdeen being absent, were for going on. 

I thought no benefit would be derived from success. Even success wouldrevive feelings and recollections which are dying away, and which we wishto be forgotten. If we decline proceeding we can say we did so from thefear of exciting dormant passions. If we proceed, we shall have no excuseshould we revive the memory of bad times. 

Reference is to be made to Ireland to ascertain the feeling about it there. 

Bankes came at twelve o'clock. He told me he had been with the Duke, andhad received from him the offer of his old office. He had asked permissionto consult one person, whose name he did not mention to the Duke, --it wasthe Duke of Cumberland. He had called at the Palace and found the Duke ofCumberland was at Windsor. He wanted to write to him to ask if he had anyobjection to his taking the office again. 

Bankes said he had attended none of the meetings at Lord Chandos's. He hadavoided as much as he could all communication with the Duke of Cumberland. He had fully determined not to take a part with any new Government whichmight be formed, unless it should clearly appear the King had been unfairlydealt by, or unless there should be an attempt to make peers to carry theBill. The Duke of Cumberland had always said that he made him his firstobject, and he had reason to think that he had mentioned him to the King, and had been instrumental in his appointment. The Duke of Cumberland haddesired him to come to him (during the Bill), and had apparently intendedto name some particular office for him, but seeing his coldness had onlysounded him, and had received the answer I have mentioned above. 

The Duke of Cumberland had told him it was an understood thing that allwere to be restored, and that he saw no reason why he should not take hisoffice again. 

_This was ten days ago. _

I told him I advised, if he thought it necessary to write to the Duke ofCumberland at all, that he should merely state his intention to take hisoffice back again, refer to his conversation with the Duke himself upon thepoint, and add _distinctly_ that, taking office, he could no longer haveany communication on political matters with a person who had declared hishostility to the Government. 

I advised him to send off his own servant on a post-horse at six o'clockto-morrow morning, with a letter to the effect I have stated to the Duke ofCumberland, and whether he received an answer or not, to go to the Duke ofWellington and accept at 12. 

I advised him to tell the Duke the whole state of the case, and all he haddone. 

The Duke of Wellington did not seem by any means well to-day. He wasblooded yesterday. 

_April 16. _

Cabinet at 3. It seems Bankes called on the Duke this morning, but he wasengaged. I told him all that passed between Bankes and me last night. IfBankes should go out the Duke means to offer his place to Sir J. Graham. 

We met upon foreign affairs. Aberdeen read his instructions to Gordon, whogoes to Constantinople. They are unobjectionable. 

We then considered what was to be done in consequence of this secondviolation of their word on the part of the Russians in blockading Candia. 

Count Heyden has written two letters to Sir Pulteney Malcolm. In the firsthe justifies the blockade of Candia on the ground of its being necessary toprotect the Morea from the Pacha of Egypt; in the second he rests it on thenecessity of blockading the two extremities of Candia for the purpose ofwatching Constantinople. 

We cannot permit the Russians to make fools of us in this way--to promiseone thing as parties to the Treaty of London, and to do another asbelligerents. 

After the Cabinet I asked the Duke whether he still wished me to pressCourtney upon the Directors. He said, Yes, he very much wanted his place. Isaid it had occurred to me that _Herries_ might take the Governorship ofBombay. It did not seem to have occurred to him. He said he thought Herrieswould not go; but he evidently thought it would be a very good thing if hewould. 

The Duke said he wanted to have the places of Courtney and Sir G. Hill, andto bring in Lord Chandos and M. Fitzgerald. We mentioned Ashley. Isuggested Ashley's going to the Treasury, and Sir J. Graham taking hisplace. This would, I dare say, be done, if we could get the place at theTreasury. 

I have not as yet heard a surmise as to the new Lord Privy Seal. 

Lord O'Neil has signed the Duke of Richmond's protest against the FranchiseBill. It is very hostile to the Government, and Lord O'Neil will probablybe put out. 

The Duke of Richmond has been very imprudent. Had he taken a moderate linehe probably might have been Privy Seal. His time is now gone by. 

_April 17. _

Went by appointment to see Lady Jersey. Found there Duncannon and LordSefton. Duncannon talked big about O'Connell's power, and in the same sensein which he talked to Fitzgerald, wishing to induce the Government to lethim take his seat. I said we could not. It depended not on us, but upon thelaw. 

Lady Sefton came in afterwards for a few minutes, and Lord Rosslyn. LadyJersey talked a great deal about the restoration, and feared the Whigswould imagine they were never to come in, and would form a violentopposition. She mentioned Mr. Stanley as being much annoyed, he having madea laudatory speech in favour of Peel. 

I told her it would have been very harsh to have eliminated those who hadtaken office under the idea that the Government was rather against than forthe Catholics, certainly _neutral_, and that it was a little unreasonableto expect others to be turned out to make way for new friends. 

_April 18. _

The Duke thinks he could not offer the Privy Seal to Lord Grey, but hewould be conciliated by having a friend--that is, Rosslyn--in. If we couldget Lord Beresford out, Lord Rosslyn would go to the Ordnance. 

The Duke says the King would make it a point of honour to resist theintroduction of Lord Grey, though in reality he was in communication withLord Grey in 1820-21, after the Queen's trial, and then intended to bringhim in and to turn out the then Ministers for the Milan Commission, hehaving been himself at the bottom of that Commission. The Duke, the onlymember of the Cabinet who was not mixed up with the Milan Commission, induced the King to give up his idea of making a change. 

Bankes received a letter from the Duke of Cumberland, very long, andagainst his acceptance of office; but he begged Bankes to go down to seehim and talk it over. He did so. Bankes told him he would not accept if heon consideration objected, but he was determined not to join any otherGovernment. The Duke of Cumberland spoke of himself as having been ill-usedby the Duke of Wellington. This was explained. The conference ended by theDuke of Cumberland's acquiescing entirely in Bankes's acceptance of office. Bankes saw the Duke of Wellington and detailed the whole to him. 

_April 21. _

Called on Sir H. Hardinge at Richmond. He told me the Duke had at firstgreat reluctance to have anything to do with the Whigs. By his account hemust have principally contributed to lead the Duke to adopt that view whichhe has now of admitting Rosslyn, &c. 

_April 22. _

The Duke of Norfolk called, and, not finding me, left a note begging me toascertain privately from the Duke of Wellington whether the King would bepleased if the English Catholics presented an address to him thanking himfor the Relief Bill. 

Received a letter from the Duke of Wellington expressing a decided opinionagainst any address from the Roman Catholics. He says, 'Everything has beendone that is possible to efface all distinctions between the King'ssubjects on the score of religion, and this with a view to the generalbenefit, and not to that of a particular body. I confess I shall think thatthis measure has failed in attaining its object if there should be anygeneral act of a particular body. 

'In respect to the King himself I am certain that the most agreeable thingto him would be that all should remain quiet. 

'We must have no distinct body of Roman Catholics except in the churchesand in affairs of religion. The less we act inconsistently with theprinciple the better. '

I so entirely agree in opinion with the Duke of Wellington that, having formy own amusement written an address for the Roman Catholics in the event oftheir making any to the King, the first sentence I imagined was this: 'TheRoman Catholics of England approach your Majesty for the last time as abody distinct from the rest of your Majesty's subjects. '

_April 25. _

I had a good deal of conversation as to the next Director. There are threecity men candidates, but none are good--Lyall, Ellice, and Douglas. 

Of Ellice no one knows anything. He is brother to the Ellice who marriedLord Grey's sister. Lyall is, or was, Chairman of the Committee ofShipowners. Douglas is brother to Lord Queensbury. They say his is not avery good house. 

_April 28. _

Read the correspondence between the Duke and Lord Anglesey. Then read amemorandum of the Duke's in reply to one of Hardinge's on the subject ofthe discipline of the British army. Hardinge wished to introduce thePrussian [Footnote: Which did not include capital punishment. See_Wellington Correspondence_, vol. V. P. 932. ] discipline into ours. TheDuke shows that with our discipline we have more men fit for duty inproportion to our numbers than the Prussians in the proportion of two toone. That in Prussia the army is everything. There is no other profession. All are soldiers--the officer lives much with his men--they are always inmasses, always in fertile countries. 

In our service the worst men in the community enter the army. The officersare gentlemen. They cannot mix with the men. Without discipline our armywould be inferior to others. It is not even now the favourite profession. There is much jealousy of it. It is not popular with the common people. Itis difficult to find recruits even in times of distress. 

I was in an army, the Duke concludes, which cannot be governed on thePrussian principle. You cannot treat the English soldier as a man ofhonour. 

The Duke had been with the King, who was in very good humour. He had not, however, got to close quarters with him as to the changes. 

_April 29. _

Cabinet at 12. A letter has been received from Lord Heytesbury, from whichit is clear that Russia will very soon resume altogether the exercise ofher belligerent rights in the Mediterranean. 

Nesselrode communicated to him the blockade of Candia. Lord Heytesbury onlyobserved that 'it was a resumption of belligerent rights. ' This CountNesselrode did not deny, and he said they could not long remain in thefalse position in which they now were in the Mediterranean. 

Count Heyden at the end of January blockaded Candia on pretexts arising outof the state of Greece. In three weeks from that time he rested hisinterception of the Egyptian vessels near Candia on the necessary exerciseof his rights as a belligerent. Lièven, when first spoken to, disavowedHeyden. He now changes his tone, and it is evident that Russia now for thesecond time breaks her word. The French do not behave much better. Theyhave 6, 000 men in the Morea, and mean to keep them there notwithstandingtheir engagement to withdraw their troops as soon as the Egyptians wereembarked. To be sure, they say if we insist upon it they will withdrawthem. 

I have always been for getting out of the treaty. We have been draggedalong very unwillingly--we have been subjected to much humiliation. We seemto me to have gained nothing by all our compliances. We have been led onfrom the violation of one principle to that of another. Our position hasdiscouraged Turkey. We have been made the tools of Russia, and have beenduped with our eyes open. I think the sooner we get out of this falseposition the better, and there is no time so favourable for us to holdstrong language as this, when by the settlement of the Catholic question weare really strengthened, and when all foreign Powers believe we are yetmore strengthened than we are. The Duke is certainly for getting out. Hehas long wished it. 

A paper of Peel's was read suggesting the difficulties in which we shouldstill be placed by our moral obligation towards the Greeks, and by ourreasonable fear that on the principles of the Greek Treaty, to which wehave unfortunately given our adhesion, Russia and France may combine andmake a partition treaty. My expectation is that Russia and France wouldsoon quarrel, and I think I could before now have made them jealous of eachother, but we have done nothing. 

After much conversation, V. Fitzgerald agreeing with me and the otherssaying nothing, it was determined to insist upon the freedom ofcommunication with Candia under the protocol, to insist upon the Greekswithdrawing from their advanced position near Prevesa _under the protocol_, and to insist likewise upon the withdrawing of the French troops from theMorea, according to the engagement. 

I am not satisfied with this. Every part of our diplomacy has beenunfortunate. We have succeeded in nothing. I predicted if we became engagedin the war, it would be ultimately on a little point and not upon a greatone. Our diplomacy cannot be defended. It is our weak point. 

House. All the Catholics there. Every good old name in England. 

The Duke of Norfolk is much pleased with the Duke of Wellington's answer tohis enquiry as to the propriety of addressing the King. I am going to sendhim the Duke's original letter as a _record_. 

The King certainly received the Protestant peers, and particularly thosewho had been at Windsor, with great favour, and so the Bishop of Durham. The Duke of Cumberland stood at the King's left hand, and quizzed thepeople as they passed. He seemed _rayonnant_. 

After dinner I had some conversation with Loch, the Chairman, as togoverning India in the King's name. He does not positively object. I thinkI shall be able to carry that point. I consider it to be of the mostessential importance. 

_April 30. _

Cabinet at 12. Determined to fund eight millions of Exchequer Bills. Notaxes to be taken off or imposed. We had some conversation as to the EastRetford question. V. Fitzgerald communicated a proposal from Littleton topropose the adjournment of all discussion upon the subject till next year, as it is evident nothing can be done this year. Littleton proposed thisbecause he wished to disappoint the mischievous designs of some people. (Palmerston particularly. )

It was determined to adhere to the line taken by the Government last year--namely, to that of throwing East Retford into the hundred. The Duke wasdecidedly of opinion that whatever we did we should do from ourselves, andcertainly not act in concert with an enemy. The Tories look to our conductupon this question as the touchstone. 

Drawing-room. The King, as yesterday, very civil to the Brunswickers andtaking no notice of our friends. He took particular notice of theBrazilians. Madame de Lièven is endeavouring to form a Government with theDuke of Cumberland, the Ultra-Tories, the Canningites, and some Whigs. 

The King is very Russian. I believe all this will end in nothing. TheChancellor thinks they may try to make a change when Parliament is up, andso have six months before them. They may think of it; but the only objectof such a Government would be _revenge. _ They cannot repeal the ReliefBill, nor do they wish to pursue a different line of policy either at homeor abroad. 

The foreigners think that having settled the Catholic question we are readyto draw the sword, and find a field of battle wherever we can. This theRussians are afraid of, and hence arises in some degree their wish tooverthrow the Duke's Government; but the real foundation of all the Russianintrigues is Madame de Lièven's hatred for the Duke, and her rage atfeeling she has overreached herself. 

_May 1. _

Sir Thomas Tyrwhitt was with the King for two hours to-day, the Duke ofCumberland being in the room and the King in bed. The King is very much outof humour, and abused everything and everybody. He is very angry at ladiesbeing admitted to the House of Lords, and particularly at their going insuch numbers the day the Duke of Norfolk took his seat. The Duke ofCumberland has sworn he will not leave England till he has turned out thepresent Ministers. He is the only colonel of the Horse Guards who ever doesduty--Lord Cathcart being absent and Lord Harrington incapable. When helast got the gold stick from Lord Harrington he swore he would never let itout of his hands. As gold stick he ordered the gates of the Horse Guards tobe closed the day of the Drawing-room, and thus obliged all the Ministerswho dressed in Downing Street to go all round. 

He told Clanwilliam to-day with great satisfaction that the King nevercould again be on good terms with his Ministers. 

No arrangement is yet made with the Master of the Rolls. Everything waitsfor the legal promotions. The King will be delighted with Scarlett[Footnote: Sir James Scarlett, afterwards Lord Abinger. ] as Attorney-General, and the Chancellor tells me Bickersteth is to be Solicitor. Irecollect hearing of him at Cambridge. He is a very clever man and a goodspeaker. Tindal is of course to be Master of the Rolls. I am most anxiousto give up the Privy Seal to Rosslyn. 

_May 3. _

Cabinet at 2. Decided the Government was to take the same line exactly thisyear as to East Retford (that is, as to giving the two members to theHundred) that it took last year. However, as it is impossible to get anyBill through the Lords this year, Peel will be very willing to accede toany proposition for postponing the whole question till next session. 

On the question of Irish Education and on that of the grant to Maynooth, the vote will be as before--it being said that the state of the session andthe circumstances of the present period make it advisable that the questionof any change should be deferred. Indeed, Ministers have not had time toconsider it. 

Many of Lord Anglesey's letters to Peel and of Peel's answers were read. Wehave a very strong case against him on his letter to Dr. Curtis, which by aletter from Dr. Curtis to the Duke we know Lord Anglesey directed Dr. Murray to publish if it could be done with Curtis's consent, and which Dr. Murray did publish without obtaining such consent. 

Curtis's letter is dated January 2. 

Lord Anglesey wrote to Curtis for the Duke's letter and his answer, and hadthem two days before December 23, the date of his letter to Curtis. 

Peel thinks the East Indian Committee should not be refused. It is betterfor the East Indian Company that it should be granted than refused. Ientirely coincide with him. 

_May 4. _

Coal Committee at 12. Met Lord Bathhurst, with whom I had some conversationas to the Duke's reading letters in answer to Lord Anglesey. He begged meto go to the Duke, and try to induce him not to do so. I found the Dukeagreeing with me entirely as to the danger of the president, and disposedto read only what might be absolutely necessary. 

Lord Anglesey brought forward his motion for 'the letter of recall. '

The Duke answered him, and so well that even Lord Holland could not say oneword. So the thing ended. 

The Duke had been assured by the King, and within the last fortnight theKing had given the same assurance to Aberdeen, that Lord Anglesey had not_permission_ to read confidential letters. 

Lord Anglesey stated that he had the King's permission. 

The Duke certainly seemed to contradict him. 

Lord Londonderry threw a note over to me suggesting that the contradictionwas so direct there might be an awkward explanation out of doors unless thething were softened down. 

I mentioned this to Lord Bathurst. He thought not. 

However, when he replied, Lord Anglesey treated the contradiction asabsolute, and Lord Bathurst told the Duke he must give some explanation, which the Duke did, saying he did not mean to accuse Lord Anglesey ofdeclaring he had the King's permission when he had not, but only that hehad reason to think he had not. In fact, the King, as we always thought, told the Duke one thing and Lord Anglesey another; and the only result ofthe debate is that the King is proved to have told a lie. 

Lord Wharncliffe, who overtook me as I was riding home, considered LordAnglesey to be blown out of water. 

At Lady Brownlow's ball I talked with Lord Farnborough, Longford, andBeresford. All thought the reading of the letters should have been stopped, and that the Duke did wrong to read anything. We could not stop the readingof the letters when the King's permission to read them was stateddistinctly by Lord Anglesey. The misery is that we have a lying master. 

_May 5. _

I called at the Treasury and saw the Duke. On the subject of what tookplace yesterday he said, that having received the King's commands todeclare Lord Anglesey had not his permission to read the letters, he couldnot do otherwise than make the observations he did. The gravamen of thecharge against Lord Anglesey as arising out of those letters is that in thelast he declares his intention of using them as public documents; and thisbeing the ground upon which the King had acquiesced in his being relieved, for the King to have afterwards permitted the reading of those letterswould have been a withdrawal of confidence from his Ministers. 

I met Lord Ravensworth and talked to him upon the subject. He seemed to bein a sort of alarm as to what took place yesterday. This is superfluous. The Duke's explanation that he did not mean to say Lord Anglesey had reasonto think he was permitted to read those letters was quite sufficient. TheDuke added that he had understood the contrary. 

Lord Ravensworth seemed to think his Royal master came the worst off--whichis true. 

He told me the Duke of Cumberland had been abusing every one at LadyBrownlow's last night, and had declared, as he has before, that he wouldnot go away till he had us out. 

Lord Anglesey is reported to be very ill to-day. 

_May 6. _

Cabinet dinner at Sir G. Murray's. The Duke saw the King to-day. He was ingood humour, and said the Duke was quite right in declaring Lord Angleseyhad not his permission to read the letters. It seems the King said the samething in the Duke of Cumberland's presence on Monday at dinner, and thismade the Duke so very angry that evening. 

We had a very good division last night on the Retford question. Almost allthe Brunswickers voted with us--none against us. 

In fact the Government is very strong. 

There are disturbances at Manchester, which look rather serious. 

_May 7. _

Nothing in the House. 

The meeting respecting the statue to the Duke of Wellington seems to havefinished in detestable taste. Hunt proposing a vote of thanks to LordAnglesey and O'Connell, and _Lord Darnley!_ speaking for it. Both thesesaid the Catholic Bill arose out of Lord Anglesey's Government. LordDarnley repeated the same thing to me to-day in the House. I told him thecontrary was the fact. That Lord Anglesey had placed the carrying of thequestion in peril--that without his recall it could hardly have beencarried. 

There have been serious disturbances at Manchester. The bakers' shops havebeen broken open and robbed, and money extorted by fear. This arises out ofreal distress; but it seems, as might be expected, that notorious thieveslead on the mobs. 

_May 8. _

The disturbances at Manchester have more the character of robbery than ofriot. Baker's shops have been broken open and pillaged, and money has beenextorted. 

At Rochdale an attack was made on the military. They behaved with extremeforbearance; but at last fired, and killed and wounded many. 

_May 9. _

Dined at the Trinity House. Hardinge, whom I met there, told me Wood hadbeen asked by Lord Mansfield to go to the Pitt dinner on the 28th. Woodsaid he did not know whether the Ministers would go or not. Lord Mansfieldsaid, 'Why, you must know, it is understood that as soon as Parliament isup the Government will be changed. At this dinner we shall make such adisplay of Protestant force as will enable the King to take us as hisMinisters. '

It is surprising to me that any able man as Lord Mansfield is should be sodeluded by the lies of the Duke of Cumberland. The country is not agitated, it is not dissatisfied. It would repudiate, as an act of the basesttreachery, such conduct towards a Government which had been permitted tocarry a great measure, and which was displaced solely on grounds ofpersonal pique. 

Manchester and its neighbourhood more quiet. 

Had some conversation with Peel about the next member for the direction. Heinclines to Marryatt. Hardinge reported a communication from E. Ellice, whocanvasses for his brother, Russell Ellice. E. Ellice offers some votes inthe House of Commons if we will support his brother. 

I believe E. Ellice would be a good man, but the brother is a nonentity. Isaid we must strike at the mass and not at individuals. We must gain thecity by assisting a fit man on public grounds. Peel agreed in thissentiment. I am sure it is the only wise course for any Government topursue. 

_Monday, May 11. _

The King has got the habit of taking large doses of laudanum. He sent forthe Chancellor yesterday, as usual, at two o'clock. When he got to thepalace the King had taken a large dose of laudanum and was asleep. TheChancellor was told he would not wake for two or three hours, and wouldthen be in a state of excessive irritation, so that he might just as wellnot see him. 

_May 12. _

The East Retford question was last night deferred till next session, so wemay, I think, finish all our business by about June 10; that is reallyallowing full time. 

O'Connell published yesterday an argument on his right to sit in the Houseof Commons in the shape of a letter to the members. At first Lord Greythought it unanswerable (as founded on the provisions of the Relief Bill);but at night he told me he had looked into the Bill and found it certainlyexcluded him. A large portion of the letter is quite absurd, that in whichhe assumes a right to have his claim decided in a court of law. Parliamentalone is by common law the court in which the privileges of its own memberscan be decided. 

_May 12. _

House. Lord Lansdowne put a pompously worded question as to our intentionswith respect to the course of proceeding on Indian affairs. 

I answered simply that we were as sensible as he was of the extremeimportance of the question. That for my own part my mind was never absentfrom it, and that I had not been many days in office before I took measuresfor procuring the most extensive information, which would be laid beforethe House at the proper time. That the Government was desirous of formingits own opinion on the fullest information and with the greatestconsideration; and that we wished the House to have the same opportunities. That I was not then prepared to inform him in what precise form we shouldpropose that the enquiry should be made. 

The Chancellor introduced the Bill for appointing a new Equity Judge, andseparating the Equity Jurisdiction from the Court of Exchequer. The latterobject, by-the-bye, is not to be accomplished immediately, but it is partof the plan opened. He soothed Lord Eldon by high compliments to hisjudicial administration and to the correctness of his judgments. The wonderof the day is that Lord Eldon should have lived to hear a Chancellor soexpose the errors of the Court of Chancery as they were exposed by LordLyndhurst to-day. 

_May 13. _

Recorder's report. The King not well. He has a slight stricture, of whichhe makes a great deal, and a bad cold. He seemed somnolent; but I have seenhim worse. 

Before the Council there was a chapter of the Garter. The Duke of Richmondwas elected. The knights wore their ordinary dress under the robe, whichwas short, and had no hats. The procession was formed by Garter. TheChancellor and Prelate of the Order and the Dean were present. It lookedrather like a splendid funeral. The Duke of Cumberland took a great dealupon him. 

Cabinet dinner at Vesey Fitzgerald's at Somerset House. 

Much talk about Indian matters. Both Peel and Fitzgerald seem to be forFree Trade, and _unreasonable_ towards the Company. 

_May 15. _

In the House of Commons yesterday the motion for a Committee on East Indianaffairs was negatived without a division, but promised for _early_ nextsession, and papers promised immediately. 

_May 16. _

Chairs at 11. We spoke of the Charter. They rather dislike the notion ofusing the King's name, and I fear Mr. Elphinstone and all the Indians willgive their evidence against the change. I may be outvoted, but I shall notbe convinced. [Footnote: This change was effected in 1858. ]

_May 17. _

Nothing political, except a grand dinner at the Duke of Norfolk's, given tothe Duke of Wellington, which was very fine and very dull. 

The Duke told me he had read the Persian papers. The Russians had broughtit on themselves. 

_May 19. _

In the House of Commons last night O'Connell was heard at the bar. Thedebate seems to have been temperate. It was decided on a discussion, 190 to116, that he must take the Oath of Supremacy. 

At the office had some conversation with Mr. Leach as to the plan ofgoverning India in the King's name--the Directors being made ex officioCommissioners for the affairs of India. He seems to have some prejudicesagainst the plan, but he adduced no real objections. I have begged him toput on paper all the objections which occurred to him. 

Wrote a long letter to Lord W. Bentinck on all subjects connected with therenewal of the Charter, and the general government of India. 

Dined at the Freemasons' Hall with the Society for Promoting ChristianKnowledge. There were present 200 persons. I thought they would be veryhostile to a Minister. However, when my name was mentioned by the Bishop ofDurham, as a steward, there was much cheering. The Bishop of London, whowas in the chair, begged me to return thanks for the stewards, which I did. I spoke of course of the wish entertained by the Ministers that a Societymight prosper the interests of which were so much connected with those ofthe Established Church--of their determination in their several departmentsto further its objects. It was the duty of us all as Christians, but morepeculiarly that of the Ministers, to advance objects intimately connectedwith the individual happiness of the people and with the stability of theState. I said something too of the intrinsic strength of the ProtestantChurch--of its rising in proportion to the difficulties which mightsurround it, to the dangers--if dangers there were (the Primate had spokenof them)--of its security in the zeal and ability of its ministers, and inthe purity of its doctrines. 

On the whole I did well. I was loudly cheered--indeed, so much interruptedas to be enabled to think what I should say next. 

Indian business in the morning--Coal Committee. 

_May 20. _

Dined at the London Tavern with the Directors, at what is called a familydinner, to meet Mr. Elphinstone, the late Governor of Bombay. He has beenthirty-three years absent from England, having left it at fifteen. He isone of the most distinguished servants the Company has ever had. He seemsto be a quiet, mild, temperate man. I had some conversation with him, andhave fixed that he should come to the Indian Board on Tuesday. I wish tohave his opinion as to the expediency of governing India in the King'sname. 

The Duke told Lord Bathurst and me the King had been very angry with himfor going to the Duke of Norfolk's dinner, and now openly expressed hiswish to get rid of his Ministers. The Duke wrote to the King and told himit really was not a subject he thought it necessary to speak to him about, that he dined with everybody and asked everybody to dinner, that had heknown beforehand who were to dine with the Duke of Norfolk, which he didnot, he could not have objected to any one of them. That the King himselfhad dined with the Duke of Norfolk. That most of the persons invited wereeither in his Majesty's service, or had been. 

It seems the king desired it might be intimated to the Duke that he wasmuch displeased at the dinner, and that he and Cumberland damned us all. 

I told the Duke and Lord Bathurst what occurred at the dinner yesterday, with which they were much gratified. 

_May 21. _

Went to the Cabinet room at 2. Read papers, by which it seems that theRussian army is very little stronger than at the commencement of the lastcampaign, and that its materials are not so good. It has as yet no medicalstaff. The resources of the principalities are exhausted; the cattle of thepeasants have been put in requisition; the ordinary cultivation of the landhas been neglected. The river is worse than last year. There are reports ofthe successes of the Turks near Varna, and of that place being in danger. 

The recruiting of the Turkish army goes on well. 

House of Lords. The Chancellor's Bill, which creates a new Chancery judge. Opposition from Lord Eldon, Lord Redesdale, and Lord Holland, all sayingthey wished to see the whole plan before they agree to a part. LordTenterden approved of the making of the new judge, but wished his functionshad been better defined. 

The Duke of Cumberland said the Non-contents had it; but he said it toolate, and his people did not wish to divide. 

Lord Londonderry would have voted against us. I fear he is half mad. TheHouse seems to treat him so. 

The Chancellor told me the King did many things personally uncivil to theDuke. He did not ask him to dinner to meet the Duke of Orleans. He wishesto force the Duke to offer his resignation. This he is much too prudent todo upon a mere personal pique. 

The King, our master, is the weakest man in England. He hates the Duke ofCumberland. He wishes his death. He is relieved when he is away; but he isafraid of him, and crouches to him. 

In reality the King never was better satisfied than with his presentMinisters. He knows they will not flinch--that he is safe in their hands. 

_May 22. _

In the House Lord Melville presented the petition of the City of Londonpraying, if the House persisted in ordering the production of theiraccounts of property other than of a public nature, to be heard at the barby counsel. He moved that this petition should be considered on Tuesday. Itbeing expected that on Monday these very accounts would be produced in thecommittee, and thus the order of the House rendered unnecessary. In this wewere beaten too. Indeed, our management under Lord Melville as Admiral doesnot answer. 

We shall certainly lose the London Bridge Approaches Bill. 

Dined at Lord Hill's. A party chiefly military. 

_May 24. _

Cabinet at Peel's at 11 P. M. 

The arrangements determined upon. Lord E. Somerset to have Sir W. Clinton'soffice, and Trench Mr. Singleton's. Lord Rosslyn the Privy Seal. LordChandos was proposed, I should rather say suggested, but rejectedimmediately, as not of sufficient calibre for the Cabinet. Besides, hiselevation for the purpose of holding the Privy Seal would offend thepeerage, and be an insult to his father. It would not gain us theBrunswickers, and we should have the Whigs hostile. It would be saying tothem, 'You shall never come in. '

Rosslyn's appointment will be most useful. He will be of value in theCabinet and invaluable in the House. His accession will break the Whigs, heis so popular with everybody. 

This is to be proposed to the King to-morrow. It is thought he will take nostep without asking the Duke of Cumberland. He may refuse altogether. Thenwe go out. The legal arrangements cannot proceed, because Best [Footnote:Afterwards Lord Wynford. ] communicated with the Duke of Cumberland andrefused a peerage as the _condition_ of resignation. Alexander would go ifhe could have his peerage and a pension. Leach will not go unless he is tohave a peerage and a pension of 7, 000£ a year, a thing impossible. 

_May 25. _

Cabinet at 3. Waited a long time for the Duke. He came smiling andvictorious. The King said he would manage Best. To Rosslyn he made someobjection, and suggested Lord Dudley or Melbourne. This was referred to andrejected by such of the Cabinet as could be on a sudden collected at theForeign Office. I was not there. I should certainly have rejected both, although very willing to have Dudley. The other would never have done. WithLord E. Somerset and Trench the King was well pleased. As the Duke left theroom the King said, 'Come, you must acknowledge I have behaved well toyou. ' This he said frankly and good-humouredly. The Duke said, 'I assureyour Majesty I am very sensible of it, and I feel very grateful to you. '

Having thus established ourselves as a Government we were going to breakour necks by attempting to pass the Chancellor's Bill, which the House ofCommons does not like. However, after a talk, it was resolved to give itup. 

It seems the Tories have deserted us again. We are much in want of winterquarters. 

In the House we had the City of London petition. I took a more active partthan usual in the conversation. 

Lord Rosslyn, having just lost his son, is gone to Tunbridge Wells, and theoffer of the Privy Seal will be postponed till after to-morrow, when theKing is to see Best at two, and it is hoped the Duke may be able to tellRosslyn that Scarlett is to be Attorney-General. 

_May 26. _

The King sent Knighton for Chief Justice Best, and desired him not to tellthe Duke of Cumberland; Best was sent for. So Best went, and accepted theterms offered. Thus we shall get Scarlett, and the King and the Duke beseparated a little. 

Yesterday the Duke of Wellington did his business with the King while theDuke of Cumberland was hearing a clause in the House of Lords. TheChancellor, knowing how the Duke of Wellington was occupied, kept the Dukeof Cumberland as long as he could. 

_May 27. _

Committee on London Bridge. Lord Londonderry, who came from the review inhis uniform just covered by a frock coat, spoke against time on acollateral point for an hour and a half, and disgusted the Committee. 

_May 28. _

London Bridge Committee. Lord Londonderry a little better than before, butnot much. He is running down his character altogether. He has now formed analliance with the Duke of Cumberland, and through him made his peace withthe King. The Duke of Cumberland wishes to be reconciled to the Duke ofWellington. In the House of Commons there is a small Ultra-Tory party, notfifty. In our House I doubt whether there are twenty. 

_May 30. _

Chairs. Lord W. Bentinck seems to be so ill as to make it doubtful whetherhe can remain in India should he recover. The letter is dated January 27. He was then in danger. The vessel did not leave Calcutta till the 30th. Thenews then was that he was better, and had sat up for six hours. It was a_coup de soleil_. 

London Bridge Committee. 

The Duke showed me a letter from Lord Rosslyn, accepting most cordially thePrivy Seal. 

I suppose we shall have a Council on Monday, or on some early day nextweek, for me to give it up. 

_June 1. _

To the Cabinet room. 

There is a report that Varna [Footnote: Varna was in the hands of theRussians, having been taken in the previous campaign. ] is _cernée_ by40, 000 men, Bazardjik taken, the Russians running from Karasan, and from6, 000 to 8, 000 Russians, who had been thrown over the Danube at Hirsova, driven into it at Czernavoda by the garrison of Silistria. [Footnote: Thesereports seem to have been unfounded. Soon after this date the decisivebattle of Kouleftcha opened to the Russians the road to Adrianople. ]Clanwilliam wrote me he thought the Duke attached some credit to this lastrumour. 

News from Calcutta of February 1 states that Lord William Bentinck was thenout of danger. Lady William, who was going to set off to join him, haddetermined to expect him at Calcutta. 

Lord Rosslyn's appointment is in the newspapers to-day. The 'Times' highlydelighted. 

_June 2. _

London Bridge Approaches Committee. Lord Londonderry very anxious to havean adjournment over the Derby; however, he must attend to 'the lastconcern. '

House. Anatomy Bill put off till Friday. The Bishops, Lord Malmesbury, andmany others very hostile to it. 

It seems certain that the Russians have recrossed the Danube. I am inclinedto think they have been beaten. 

_June 3. _

The Bishop of Oxford is dead; a great Grecian is to succeed him. 

The King is in excellent humour. The Duke of Cumberland rather going down. 

We had some talk about the Anatomy Bill. The Duke is afraid of passing it. Indeed, it is not a Government measure. Probably it will be withdrawn forthe year. The Bishops are very hostile to it. 

_June 4. _

London Bridge Committee from eleven till four. We made great progress inour evidence, and, indeed, nearly proved our case. From four to five we hada very painful discussion in consequence of some words which passed betweenLord Durham and Lord Beresford. We succeeded at last in settling thedifference. 

Lord Beresford, having no good word at his disposal, said he did not secondthe _evil deeds_ or _improprieties_ of noble lords. He really meant_irregularities_, and irregularities only as a member of the Committee. Lord Grey was present and much distressed. The Duke of Wellington'sauthority induced both to become amenable to the wish of the Committee. 

_June 5. _

Anatomy Bill. Some talk; but a general agreement suggested by theArchbishop of Canterbury, that the Bill should be read a second time, andnot proceeded with this session. The Duke of Wellington expressed hisgeneral approbation of the principle, but thought postponement desirable. He pledged himself to _cooperate_ in bringing in a Bill on the sameprinciple, and having the same objects, next year; but did not pledgehimself to bring it in himself. 

_June 7. _

Cabinet at half-past three. First question: whether we should extend thetime for putting an end altogether to the Brazilian slave trade from March13 to September 13, 1830, for the equivalent of obtaining for ever theright to seize ships fitted up for the slave trade, whether they had slaveson board or not. The Brazilians have been encouraged by their Government tointerpret the treaty as permitting the return of any vessels quitting theBrazils on slave expeditions before March 13. 

Dr. Lushington, who was consulted by Aberdeen, seemed to think it was worthwhile to obtain the concession, but still seemed to think that by extendingthe time, we should permit the transportation of a very large number ofslaves, of whom many might be destroyed by ill-treatment, and that it washardly justifiable with a view to a distant advantage, to sacrificeimmediately and certainly a great number of persons. 

This prevailed--the real fact being that Peel does not like awkwardquestions in the House of Commons. 

So the treaty remains as it is, and both parties will interpret it as theyplease. There will be many disputes, for the interpretation is verydifferent. 

_June 8. _

Received a private letter from Colonel Macdonald at Tabriz, with copies ofletters received by him from a gentleman he had sent to Teheran on hearingof the massacre of the Russian mission; and from another gentleman, travelling unofficially, who first heard the report between Tabriz andKamsin. 

These accounts only confirm what we had already heard of the arrogance andviolence of the Russians. They deserved their fate. 

Colonel Macdonald says that General Paskewitz cannot dispose of more than25, 000, or, at most, 30, 000 men, although he has a nominal force of 110, 000men under his command. 

Colonel Macdonald says there has been no serious resistance on the part ofthe Turks, except at Akhalsik. 

He has done what he can to dissuade them from war with the Russians; but Ithink the universal feeling of the people will propel them. 

The insurrection at Teheran appears to have been instigated by the Mollahsand the women, but it was evidently national, or it must have failed. 

_June 10. _

Council. Lord Winford kissed hands. He walked in with great difficulty ontwo crutches, which he placed behind him and so leant back upon. The Kinghad a chair brought for him, and had him wheeled out. The man who pushedhis chair very nearly shipwrecked him at the door. 

The Attorney-General (Scarlett), [Footnote: Afterwards Lord Abinger. ] theChief Justice of the Common Pleas (Tindal), and the Solicitor-General(Sugden), [Footnote: Afterwards Lord St. Leonards. Lord Chancellor 1862. ]all kissed hands. The Chief Justice of the Common Pleas was sworn in asPrivy Councillor. Lord Rosslyn was sworn in as Privy Councillor and PrivySeal. The King did not address a word to me, who gave up the seal, or toRosslyn, who received it. 

House. Nothing of moment. 

Dinner at Lord Bathurst's. Lord Rosslyn dined here. 

Aberdeen read a paper lately received from the Russians, in which theyconcede all we ask about blockades, &c. , except as to the Gulf of Enos. TheDuke says he shall bring Lièven to the point about this, and generallyabout their views. He feels the Government is stronger now than it was--that the country is stronger, and we may insist more. He says the questionis, 'Shall we permit the ruin of the Turkish Empire?' I have long felt thatto be the case, and to that I answer 'No. '

We had some conversation as to the charter. The Duke seems rather inclinedto continue the _name_ of the Company. I am for the _name_ of the King. 

_June 11. _

The world has had imposed upon it a story of the Chancellor's _selling_ hisChurch preferment. The 'Age' is to bring forward its charges on Sundaynext. This is an arrow from the Cumberland quiver. 

I mentioned Lord Clare's wish to look forward to the Government of Bombayor Madras to the Duke last night, and he did not by any means receive theproposition unfavourably. I told Clare so to-day. 

_June 13. _

Gaisford has refused the Bishopric of Oxford--wisely, for he was only aGrecian and had good preferment. He is a rough man too. I am glad he hasrefused it. I do not think mere Grecians good bishops. 

Lord Clare told me Glengall was to be the new Irish peer. 

_June 15. _

Committee as usual. Lord Londonderry more insane than ever. The Duke saidhe had never seen anything more painful. 

We made hardly any progress. The victory will belong to the _survivors_, and I do not think Lord Durham will be one of them. 

House. Lord Londonderry made a foolish speech, and the Duke an excellentone, very severe upon him, and defending the City. If we do not get theCity by this Committee the City is impregnable. 

Hardinge told me Lord Grey seemed out of humour. I do not think he is ingood humour. 

_June 16. _

At last some hope of a compromise respecting London Bridge. 

_June 17. _

The eternal Committee is, I trust, at an end. The agents have come to acompromise, and if the Common Council should confirm the terms, as Iconclude they will, the thing will be at an end. We shall then haveParliament up by Monday or Tuesday next. 

Cabinet dinner at Lord Melville's. The Duke was astonished at Lord W. Bentinck's strong and sudden step of transferring the Supreme Government_pro tempore_ to Meerut. He said he always expected some wild measure fromLord W. Meerut was in too exposed a situation. 

Twenty thousand Afghan horse might ride in upon the seat of government ifplaced in the north-west provinces. It is astonishing how much the Duke isprejudiced by his old Indian feelings. Whatever _is_ he thinks best. Meerutis ill and absurdly chosen, but Calcutta is certainly the worst chosen seatof government. 

We are to have a Cabinet on Saturday for the King's speech. On Monday orTuesday Parliament will be up. On Wednesday we dine at the India House, andon the Monday following, the 29th, will be the fish dinner. 

_June 18. _

Called to compliment the Duke on the anniversary of Waterloo. Left with himLord W. Bentinck's minute and despatch on transferring the SupremeGovernment Departments and all _pro tempore_ to Meerut, and a proposedletter, censuring the Governor for having done this without previoussanction, and directing the members of Council and the Departments toreturn. 

The Duke objects to any removal of the seat of government to the upperprovinces. It would there be exposed to the sudden inroads of cavalry. InIndia a cloud of cavalry rises like a squall in the Mediterranean. AtCalcutta the Government, protected by the rivers, is safe, and alwaysaccessible from England. 

_June 19. _

Rode to town. Met Rosslyn. He told me Lord Clanrickarde [Footnote: LordClanrickarde was son-in-law of Mr. Canning. ] intended to make someobservations on foreign policy this evening. 

Had some conversation with the Duke. He doubted whether the SupremeGovernment _could_ leave Calcutta and preserve its powers. I told him ofthe newspaper report of to-day that leases for sixty years were to be givento indigo planters, and this without any authority from home. He seems tohave suspected from the first that Lord W. Would do some monstrous thing, and certainly he does seem to be emancipating himself. 

House. Lord Clanrickarde made his little speech. Aberdeen his. Then LordHolland, and then the Duke. Afterwards Goderich. Lord Holland talked asusual very vaguely. No notice had been given, and few people knew there wasanything to be done. So ends the House for this year. 

_June 20, 1829. _

Cabinet. King's speech. Some time occupied in wording it, but no materialalterations. Aberdeen's the worst part. The King is made to _auspicate_ andto pray, but not to trust that the Franchise Bill and the Relief Bill willbe productive of good. 

The Chancellor has prosecuted the 'Morning Journal' for a libel accusinghim of having taken money for Sugden's appointment as Solicitor-General. Iheard him tell Lord Bathurst, with reference to another calumny againsthim, that he had fortunately preserved through his secretary the grounds onwhich he had given every living he had disposed of. 

_June 21. _

Had a visit from Loch. He wishes the despatch to Lord William to be wordedmore gently, as he thinks Lord William _meant_ well. This shall be done. 

_June 22. _

Wrote draft paragraphs to the effect above stated to Lord W. Bentinck, andadded a paragraph giving the Duke's reasoning against the removal of theGovernment from Calcutta to the north-west provinces. 

I had some conversation in the House with Lord Lauderdale on China trade, &c. He seems friendly to the Company and to the Government. 

Went to the House at 4. Found a good many peers there. By mere mistake aBill, slightly and necessarily amended by the Lords, was not sent down tothe Commons, although directions to that effect were given, and it byaccident was placed amongst the Bills ready for the Royal assent. So itreceived the Royal assent. It became necessary to pass a Bill to make thisBill valid in law. Lord Shaftesbury thought our House ought to inform theCommons we had discovered the error; but the Speaker, [Footnote: C. MannersSutton, afterwards Lord Canterbury. ] to make a flourish, insisted onannouncing it first to the House of Commons. All the steps to be taken weresettled between the Speaker, Lord Shaftesbury, and Courtenay. When I wentdown I found it had not been settled that anything should be done first byus. I suggested that Lord Shaftesbury should acquaint the House with thecircumstance, and that we should appoint a Committee to inquire before themessage from the Commons came up. This was done. 

We ordered a message to be sent, but before our messengers left the Housewe heard the Commons would not receive a message, so I moved that the orderwe had just made should be rescinded, and we had a second conference. TheCommons were well satisfied with our reply. The last sentence had been, 'The Lords hope the Commons will be satisfied with this explanation. ' As wein the first paragraph expressed our desire to preserve a goodunderstanding between the two Houses, and in the second one regret thatthis mistake had taken place, I thought it was going too far to express _ahope_ only that our explanation would be satisfactory. 

We inserted 'the Lords _doubt not_, ' instead of 'the Lords _hope_. '

At night received a letter from the Duke of Wellington, saying he thoughtwe might get Courtenay to resign at once and get in Lord Chandos. I am tosee him at ten to-morrow on the subject. 

_June 23, 1829. _

Wrote early to the Chairs and begged them to come to me immediately. SentLoch the Duke's note and told him why Lord Chandos's being brought in wasof so much importance. Saw the Duke at 10. The King was very much out ofhumour yesterday. He wanted to make Nash a baronet. The Duke refused. TheKing then went upon his Speech, which he did not like and had altered. Heleft out the specific mention of the Relief and Franchise Bill, and therehe was right, and he converted the prayer that the measure mighttranquillise Ireland, &c. , into a _hope_ that it would--thus making it alittle stronger, but that he did not know. 

The Duke of Cumberland, on hearing of Castlereagh's appointment, said, 'Whoever ratted he would not, ' alluding to Lord Londonderry, who has beennibbling at the Cumberland faction. However, Lord Londonderry is muchannoyed at Castlereagh's taking office. He neither likes the expense of anelection for Downshire, nor losing a vote he thought he could dispose of. 

Hardinge will not sit again for Durham. Without Hardinge Lord Londonderrywill have trouble enough there. 

The King was much out of humour during the Chapter of the Garter, and saideverything was done wrong. 

Saw the Chairs. They had just got a letter from Sir John Malcolm, resigningfrom December 1, 1830. This would have been in any case a long time forCourtenay to wait out of office; but they said the idea of his beingproposed had got wind, and several of the Directors were very adverse. Neither of the Chairs likes him, and if they supported him they would do itvery reluctantly. As Loch goes out of office in April, and we cannot tellwho will be deputy, and six new Directors come in, there really are not themeans of saying to Courtenay, 'You are sure of your election, ' and withoutthis he could not be asked to resign. 

I took the Chairs to the Duke. He received them very cordially, told them Ihad stated the circumstances to him, and he gave up the point. 

We then talked of the legality of the removal of the Supreme Governmentfrom Calcutta. On looking into the acts it seems very doubtful whether anyact done by the Governor-General in Council away from Calcutta would bevalid unless it were one of the acts the Governor-General might do of hisown authority. For instance, 'a regulation' issued by the Governor-Generalin Council at Meerut would not be valid, because the Governor-General alonecould not issue one. 

The Duke said Lord William did everything with the best intentions; but hewas a _wrong-headed man_, and if he went wrong he would continue in thewrong line. Other men might go wrong and find it out, and go back; but ifhe went wrong he would either not find it out, or, if he did, he would notgo back. 

_June 24. _

Sat as Commissioner to prorogue Parliament. The King's alteration in theSpeech certainly made it better and stronger. He now expresses his _sincerehope_ the measures of the session will produce tranquillity, &c. Peoplethought the Speech rather short and jejune. 

Dined at the 'Albion' with the Directors. The dinner was given to LordDalhousie. There were there the Duke, the Chancellor, Peel, Sir J. Murray, Lord Rosslyn and Goulburn, the Speaker, the Attorney General, Courtenay, Ashley, and Bankes; Duke of Buccleuch, Lord Camden, Lord Montagu, LordHill, Sir Herbert Taylor, Sir Byam Martin, Sir A. Dickson, Colonel Houston, Lord Dalhousie, and Sir Sidney Beckwith, and their aides-de-camp; a greatmany Directors, and in all rather more than 100 people. 

The Duke, in returning thanks, spoke of the cordiality and goodunderstanding existing between the Directors and the Government, _which wasnever more necessary to the Company than now_. 

I said the good understanding would always exist while such men as Lochwere in the chair, and while I was at the Board of Control. I paid a highcompliment to Loch, and then congratulated them on the appointments of thetwo Generals. Their mildness of manner, their benevolence of character, andthe goodness of their natures would obtain for them the affectionatedevotion of a grateful soldiery, and, educated in a school of continuedvictories, they were the fittest leaders of an army which had never met anenemy it had not subdued. I ended by saying I was sure they would devotethemselves to the maintenance under all circumstances, not only of theefficiency, but of an object which they would pursue with equal interest--_of the happiness and well-being of the native army of India_. I spokerather well, was attentively heard, and well received. I sat by the Duke ofBuccleuch. We had a good deal of conversation. He seems a fine young man. Lord Rosslyn complained he could never see a draft till it was a month old, and that there had been no new despatches placed in the boxes since he cameinto office. I told him no one complained more of the same thing thanAberdeen did when Dudley was in office, and I believe all ForeignSecretaries had a shyness about showing their drafts till they were sentoff and unalterable. 

_June 25. _

At the office found a letter with enclosures from Colonel Macdonald, datedTabriz April 20. What he has been doing in Persia I do not know. 

I have written to him to call upon me on Saturday. 

Called on the Duke to tell him the substance--which is, that the Turks havealready 30, 000 men and sixty pieces of cannon at Erzeroum. That adispossessed Pacha is in arms at Akiska. That the Russians have reinforcedthe garrisons of Natshiran and Abbasabad, and have withdrawn all theirtroops to the left bank of the Araxes, with the exception of those whogarrison Bayazid. The plague seems rife at Erivan. The Russians about CountPaskewitz abuse the English very much. 

_June 27. _

The Chairs told me Lord W. Bentinck had extended to all persons the benefitof the regulation as to coffee planters, _omitting, however_, all therestrictive clauses. They think very seriously of this, and very justly. The Calcutta newspapers consider the principle of colonisation to beconceded. 

We must abrogate this 'Regulation' without loss of time. I went to the Duketo tell him of it. He said Lord W. Bentinck was not to be trusted, and weshould be obliged to recall him. He is gone down in a steamboat to Penang. 

No news of much importance at the Cabinet room, except that LordHeytesbury's despatches confirm the account of the sickness of the Russianarmy. 

The Turks seem to have given the Russians a great smash at Eski Arnaut. 

_June 30. _

A battle near Schumla between the Russians and Turks. The Turks werebesieging Pravadi. Diebitsch marched from Silistria and moved upon theircommunications with Schumla. The Turks seem to have been surprised. Theyfought gallantly, however, and seem to have caused the Russians great loss. 

Saw Arbuthnot. He came to the India Board to speak about his friend, Russell Ellice, whom he wishes to make a Director. We afterwards talked ofthe House and the Government. I think all will turn out well. We have sixmonths before us, but certainly at present we are weak in the House ofCommons, though I believe gathering strength in the country, and alreadyvery strong there. If we play the great game, striking at the mass, we mustsucceed. It would never do to go picking up individuals. We must do ourbest for the country, and we shall have it with us. The worst of it is, theKing is the most faithless of men, and Cumberland is at work. 

The Duke asked Hardinge the other day what he thought of the Government. Hesaid he thought that by losing Canningites and Brunswickers it was fiftyweaker than Lord Liverpool's, and these fifty go the other way, making adifference of one hundred on a division. Lord Camden thought if theBrunswickers would not come in we must get a few Whigs--Abercromby, SirJames Graham, the Althorpe people. Stanley would come for anything good, and Brougham too. 

Arbuthnot asked me if I thought Lord Rosslyn would be cordial with us. Isaid Yes. His letter of acceptance was most cordial, and with the Lords hewas on excellent terms. The only danger would be if Peel and the Commonerswere shy. 

Lord Grey, I said, I did not think in very good humour, but he would differon foreign politics rather than on questions of a domestic nature. The Dukewill not be coquetting with him, because he says very honestly he should beexciting expectations in Lord Grey which, while the King lives, he does notthink he can gratify. 

Saw Mr. Elphinstone by appointment. I wished to have his opinion withregard to the new settlement of Indian Government, which may take place onthe expiration of the present Charter. He seemed to think that theAdministration of the Government in the King's name would be agreeable tothe Civil and Military Services, and to people in England. He doubtedwhether, as regarded the princes of India, it would signify much, as theynow pretty well understood us. He doubted whether the orders of Governmenthere would be better obeyed. He thought there might be an advantage inkeeping the King's authority in reserve, to be used only on grandoccasions. He confessed, however, that 'having been educated, and havinglived under the existing system, he was not best qualified to propose toanother. He had his prejudices. ' He thought the best mode of arriving atthe truth would be by taking the opinions of practical Indians as toreforms and alterations suggested by theoretical men. 

I asked him to consider the expediency of dividing the territory as nowinto three unequal Presidencies, of giving to the Governor-General thelabour of superintending the Administration in detail of the BengalPresidency--of having Members of Council. I told him there were many minorpoints of detail discoverable only by those employed at home, whichrequired and must receive amendment. Such, for instance, is theinterpretation given to the Act of Parliament, by which a _regulation_ mustbe sanctioned or rejected _in extenso, _ there being no power to alter aword, or to reject part and take the rest. 

Mr. Elphinstone seems to dread a long peace in India. We hold everythingtogether by the Native Army, and we cannot retain that unless we retain theaffections of the European officers. In the present state of our financesthis is difficult. 

_July 1. _

At half-past five received a letter from the Chairman, and the draftrelative to the removal of the Governor from Calcutta. The Court wished tohave it back to-day. That was impossible; but they have omitted words Iinserted in the _précis, _ and must restore, declaring that had the removalbeen legal, still the Members of Council would have been ordered back. Ihave now been obliged to give reasons for this addition, and the reasonswill be so much worse, as matters of record, that I have suggested to theChairman he had better substitute a draft containing the words. 

I think we must detain the _Pallas_ that it may take out both letters--thisand the one relating to the leases which is not yet prepared, or we musthave an overland dispatch. 

Delay is one of the inconveniences attending the present system of IndianGovernment. I told the Chairman in my private note that if we allowed LordW. Bentinck to emancipate himself in this manner we should really beabandoning all real control over the Government of India. I see clearlythere is a Bentinck party in the Court. 

_July 2. _

Saw Hardinge. We had some conversation upon the subject of the Government. He seems more alarmed than I am. I trust to the King's fears and the Duke'sfortune; besides, we have the country. 

Hardinge told me the King was very much out of humour. The admission ofLord Rosslyn had not answered. None followed. Lord Durham, Calthorpe, andothers left Lord Lansdowne to coalesce with Lord Grey. Hardinge wished meto try Herries again, with the view of opening the Mint by making himChancellor of the Exchequer in India; but I told him Herries said hisdomestic circumstances made it impossible, and the Duke did not seem tolike it at all. 

Herries thinks Lord Durham would be glad to be Minister at Naples; for mypart I am sure nothing will win Lord Grey but a place for Lord Greyhimself, and _that_, in the present state of the King's mind, the Duke isnot in a condition to offer. 

_July 4. _

Cabinet at half-past three. 

The Duke read a list of the several points to be considered before the nextSession. I cannot recollect half of them. East India Charter; Bank Charter;Usury Laws; East Retford; Duties on Sugar; Duties on Tobacco; Canada; WestIndies; Education in Ireland; Irish and English Churches; Poor in Ireland;Public Works; Commission on Ecclesiastical Courts; Reform of EnglishCourts; Reform of Welsh Judicature; Reform of Courts of Equity; Scotch Lawof Entail; Salaries of Scotch Judges--_increase_; Salaries of EnglishJudges--_reduction_; Grand Juries, Ireland; Militia Laws; Stamp Duties, &c. , &c. 

The only talk we had was about Irish Poor, and Public Works in Ireland. Thefeeling seemed against anything like Poor Laws, and against Public Workstoo. This is mine. The first productive of mischief, the second useless. 

Undoubtedly it is a great hardship that the English parish should have theburden of Irish poor, but on the other hand in many cases the payers ofpoor's rates in these parishes have derived advantage from Irish labour. 

Fitzgerald, Peel, and Goulburn are to look into this subject, and allconnected with Ireland. 

Fitzgerald, Peel, Lord Rosslyn, and, I think, either Herries or Goulburnseemed to think the opposition to the continuance of the China monopolywould be much greater than we expected. Fitzgerald seemed desirous thequestion of commerce should be reserved, and that of Government decided. Itold him the two were inseparably connected. 

_July 6. _

Wrote to Lord W. Bentinck telling him I much regretted the having beenobliged to send the two letters, relative to the removal of the Government, and the leases--told him the Duke coincided in opinion with the Court. 

I then expressed my surprise that the Local Government did not obey better. Said they seemed to forget the orders of the Directors were the King'sorders transmitted through the channel of the Court and the Board. I addedI should endeavour to introduce into every branch of Indian Government thesubordination and the improvements now established in the King'sservice--depended on his co-operation, &c. I sent the letter to the Duketo ask him if I should send it. 

_July 7. _

At quarter to six a messenger arrived from the Duke, to whom I sentyesterday my letter to Lord W. Asking if I should send it? The Duke desiresto see the despatches to which it refers. I have accordingly begged Jonesto send them to him. I shall however be in town early myself to-morrow. 

I told the Duke in my note I should stay in town till late to-morrow tosign the letter as to the six regiments if they passed it. I am glad tohave an excuse for not going to Windsor to the Recorder's Report. 

_July 8. _

Office at 2. Wilson absent, so I could not transact any military business. Carried the letters relative to the leases and the six regiments to theDuke. He said mine about the regiments was _very good indeed_. 

The Emperor of Russia seems to have laid himself out most ably at Berlin tocaptivate the King, and the army, and the people. 

Seymour's despatches are useful. He mentions _small_ things, which show thecharacter of men. 

The Emperor does not disguise his desire of peace. He wants no _garantiesmatérielles_ at the Bosphorus for safe passage. He asks the principle of apecuniary indemnity, but does not seem disposed to contest the details. Bernstorff observed truly, we could not get out of the Greek Treaty withoutthe help of Russia, and Russia wanted us to get out of the way. 

The Sultan begins to affect European manners. Calls upon ladies and talksabout education! Dines with a merchant! After all, considering hiseducation and his _entourage_, Sultan Mahmoud is the most remarkable man inEurope. 

_July 9. _

Office at 2. Met Herries. Told him I should send him a statement of ourIndian loans, and place Leach at his disposal. We could then talk themover, and see whether we could effect any financial operation. My idea isthat by offering some little higher interest in. India we might induce theholders of the remittable loan to give up that privilege of receiving theinterest in England if resident here. 

Saw Major Cunningham. He looks more than forty, well, certainly, but Ishould doubt his doing much hard work. He does not think himself a goodperson to command Irregulars. His Rohillas were almost in as good order asRegulars. 

He told me Lieutenant-Colonel Skinner was a man of large landed property. He had raised his corps very much from his own estate and neighbourhood, and was a sort of feudal chieftain. He has been educated like a native, though the son of a Colonel in the Company's service. 

Saw Sir Murray Maxwell. [Footnote: He had commanded the 'Alceste, ' whichtook out Lord Amherst as Ambassador to China twelve years before. ] Itseemed to me Sir Murray wanted to be sent with a frigate to try to open acommercial communication with Pekin. He thinks even Japan might be inducedto trade. The instant the Chinese found the ship was gone and Lord Amherstmeant to return by land they would have nothing to say to him. Theyprobably took him for a spy. 

Sir Murray thinks the Chinese might be led to give a port to the northward. 

He describes the Spanish population of Manilla as being very small--thenative population large. It is but four days' sail, with a good breeze, from Manilla to Canton. Always a favourable wind. The harbour magnificent. 

I think the whole object of his visit was to get a ship, and a sort of halfembassy. 

_July 10. _

Received a letter from Lord Clare, who saw the Duke yesterday. He says theDuke was very kind and told him he should get all the information he couldbefore the Committee of next year. I shall most willingly assist him. 

_July 11. _

Cabinet. Talked of Ireland. The disposition to outrage seems increasing. The Duke said we were responsible for the success of the measure of thisyear, and we must put down the armed meetings. Warburton must be ordered todo so. The Duke said emphatically if we do not preserve the peace ofIreland we shall not be a Government. Peel is to write immediately. Hethinks the first appearance of a determination to put down these meetingswill have the effect of crushing them. We spoke of Poor Laws, Education, and Grand Juries. Lord F. Leveson _despairs_ as to the two first. Upon boththe Government will form its opinion. I am glad to see that the more thequestion of Poor Laws is considered the more the introduction of themappears unadvisable, _or of any approach to them_. I have ever held thisopinion. 

In Cabinet we again, having done so many weeks ago, considered whether anyextension of time should be given to the Brazilians for the termination oftheir traffic in slaves. 

Aberdeen seemed very indulgently inclined towards the slave dealers--not soPeel and Fitzgerald. They seemed first of all to think it would be anawkward Parliamentary case, and Peel protested against our becomingresponsible, as we should, for the horrible consequences which might attendthe continuance of the trade for six months. The Chancellor thought avessel leaving the coast of Africa, that is, engaging in the slave trade, at such a period as would afford a reasonable probability of her arrivingon March 13, should be safe. I think February 13 was, after much desultorydiscussion, fixed as the day after which no vessel should leave the coastof Africa. 

The Brazilians had offered as an equivalent for six months an agreementthat in future vessels fitted for the slave trade, even if they had noslaves on board, should be seizable. It seemed to be the opinion, a littleexaggerated, I think, that no prospect of future prevention of slave-trading could justify us in permitting for an instant the immediate benefitwe had within our grasp. 

_July 12. _

The great day in Ireland; but I hope its happening on Sunday may break itseffect. The orders for vigorous interposition, determined upon on Saturday, will have been of no use in preventing collision to-day, or even to-morrow, should the anniversary be postponed. 

The Duke of Cumberland goes to Hanover, but he returns in October, and oldEldon meets him then in London. They had a regular Cabinet to decidewhether he should go or not. 

Read the court-martial of Lieutenant Lewis, of the Bombay Artillery, whostruck an officer in the presence of his wife. The Chairs wish to restorehim. It is impossible. There is an end of all moral and gentlemanlikefeeling if it be not understood that a man's person is sacred in thepresence of his wife. We presume a wife to have feeling, and a man torespect it. _The blow_ alone would have been a good cause of dismissal. 

Had a letter from the Bishop of Calcutta, who, on offering to executeepiscopal functions at the Cape, was told by Hay, of the Colonial Office, that the cape was not in his Patent, and he could no do so. This is amistake. He can exercise episcopal functions, but not episcopaljurisdictions. 

Had a letter from Mr. Joliffe, of Merstham, [Footnote: The seat of theJoliffe family, near Reigate, in Surrey. ] proposing steam-boat navigationto India. An application from Salisbury for a letter of recommendation toLord W. Bentinck, in favour of Mr. Chester. Told him this was not a goodtime to ask a favour of Lord William, and it would be better to send therecommendation with the man, who does not sail till October. 

_July 15, 1829. _

Office. Found a letter from Loch, suggesting the irregularity of my sendingfor his officers, and communicating with them on the subject of despatchesto be sent to the Indian Government, and expressing a hope that nothingwould occur to interrupt the harmony which existed between us. 

I said in reply that I have expressed a wish to see Colonel Salmond, andafterwards to see Colonel Farant, merely from my desire to expeditebusiness, and to do it well. That it was mentioned in conversation withColonel Salmond and Mr. Wilson on Monday, that there was no irregularity inthat course, and that I immediately determined to desist from it. That Ibelieved I had so expressed myself at the time to Colonel Salmond. 

I added that I could assure him I would not willingly, by endeavouring toextend the limits assigned by Parliament to the power of the Board, or bymy manner of exercising that power, interrupt the harmony which so happilyexisted between the court and me. 

Went to the Foreign Office. I fear the defeat of the Turks near Shumla wasdecisive; but still we have only Russian accounts, and they do _so lie_! Itseems certain the Russians took the opportunity of opening a negotiation. The carelessness of the Turks in not keeping a good look-out towardsSilistria seems unaccountable, and they dawdled sadly before Pravady. Thenew Vizier is very inferior to old Hussein Pacha, whose caution would haveavoided this catastrophe. 

Dined with the East India volunteers. The officers of the regiment are allclerks in the Company's service. The non-commissioned officers and privatesserve in their warehouses. 

There are now 600 men. During the war they had three regiments, each 800strong--all their own servants. 

When my health was drunk I spoke of the Duke of Wellington's naturalfondness for India, of the high terms in which he always mentioned thegallantry of the Indian army, and the purity of the Civil Service. I saidthe Ministers were animated by his example, &c. 

The Speaker told me he thought Mr. Stanley [Footnote: A curious instance ofthe failure of political prophecies, even by men of judgment andexperience. Seventeen years later he was leader of a party, and twenty-three years afterwards Prime Minister. ] would never rise higher than he wasnow. It had been a curious Session--all men endeavouring to avoidcommitting themselves. 

_July 16. _

Loch showed me two letters of Sir J. Malcolm, in which he deprecates thesending of more writers, and says _numbers_ may be diminished, but not_salaries_, especially in the higher ranks; and if writers are sent theymust be provided for. I believe he is right. I had already suggested thenon-appointment of writers this year, and the Chairs seemed to acquiesce--indeed, to have thought of it themselves. 

Recorder's Report. Before the report Madame de Cayla, the Duchess D'Escars, &c. , were presented to the King. I had some conversation with Rosslyn andHerries as to the Indian Question. Herries seemed to be afraid of the Houseof Commons. Rosslyn a little, too, of public opinion as to the opening ofthe China trade. They both seemed rather hostile to the continuance of thepresent system. I said I considered it to be a settled point that thepatronage of India should be separated from the Government. The necessityof making that separation led to one great difficulty. The necessity ofremitting home in goods 3, 200, 000£ led to another difficulty, and to makingthe Government of India, wherever it might be placed, _mercantile_. TheEast India Company would not, and could not, without the monopoly carry onthe concern. 

Neither Herries nor Rosslyn seemed to admit the necessary separation of thepatronage of India from the Government. 

I said that, if it might not be separated, it would be easy to make abetter and a cheaper government. I can see that Peel, Fitzgerald, Herries, Rosslyn--perhaps Sir G. Murray--will be against the Company. 

The Duke said it was clear to him that the remittances must be made ingoods, and could not be made by bills. He is for the monopoly. 

In a few days the papers will be printed. A copy will then be furnished toeach member of the Government, and I shall receive their observations. 

The Recorder's Report was a very heavy one. All the cases bad, and sevenordered for execution. 

The King seemed very well. 

Stratford Canning and Lord Strangford were at the Court, to be presented ontheir return. 

Before the report we read the last Irish papers. The Duke of Northumberlandand Lord F. Leveson seem to think rather favourably of the condition ofIreland. The belief of Peel and Goulburn, and, I believe, of the Duke, isthat _one_ example would settle all. 

Lord F. Leveson says that the Brunswickers are encouraged _from St. James's_ to expect that the Relief Bill will be repealed. Many wish for anexplosion, the Catholics less than the Protestants. 

_July 19. _

Hardinge and Wood dined with me. Hardinge says the Duke of Cumberland hasdetermined not to leave England, but to send for the Duchess and his son. The Duchess of Gloucester did not before, and will not now, receive theDuchess of Cumberland. Old Eldon wants a guarantee that no more Whigs willbe admitted. I believe he would be satisfied with none but his ownadmission. 

Hardinge seems to think we may not have a majority when Parliament meets. Ithink he is wrong. I trust to the Duke's fortune and to 'the being aGovernment, ' which is much, and to the others not being able to form aGovernment, which is more. 

_July 22. _

Had a letter from Loch. He does not like the disbanding of the sixregiments, but he says he brings it before the Court again on Monday, having promised every possible information. 

Read some of Colonel Tod's 'Rajastan. ' I had rather see Rajastan orRajpootana than any part of India. It would really be interesting. ColonelTod seems to be an enthusiast about the country and the people. He wasthere apparently at least sixteen years. The story of the beautifulPrincess of Oudeypore [Footnote: Krishna Komari. She was poisoned by herfather to avoid the hostilities of the rival princes who demanded her hand. The father was still living when Colonel Tod wrote. The House of Oudeyporewas the only native reigning family who disdained to intermarry even withthe Emperors of Delhi. See Tod's _Rajasthan_, i. 066. ] in Tod's book andSir J. Malcolm's is the most romantic and the most interesting I know. Thatfamily of Oudeypore or Mewar seems to be the most ancient in the world. Itfar surpasses the Bourbons and the House of Hapsburg. 

_July 23. _

Chairs at eleven. Told them of the danger in which they were, from thefeeling of the mercantile districts and of the country; that we could notlook Parliament in the face without having done all in our power to effectreductions in a deficit of 800, 000£ a year; that without a commanding caseno Government, however strong, could venture to propose a renewal of themonopoly. 

They were obliged to me for my information. I advised them to turn theirattention immediately to all the great points. 

On the subject of the six regiments the Court differ from the view I took. Loch gave me a long statement of facts, which I must read attentively, andthen communicate with the Duke. 

They are so enamoured of old habits that they hesitate about desiring theirIndian Governments and the subordinate correspondents of these Governmentsto place upon the back of their voluminous letters a _précis_ of theirsubstance!

After the Chairs were gone I saw Bankes and Leach, and while they were withme Sir Archibald Campbell called. I saw him immediately. He is a fat, rather intelligent-looking man, well mannered, and sensible. I talked tohim of the idea of exchanging Tenasserim. [Footnote: The furthest provinceof the British territory towards Siam, extending along the coast south ofPegu, and lately conquered from the Burmese Empire. ] He did not like givingup his conquest. I gave him one secret letter, and he will make hisobservations upon it. 

He left Lord William at the mouth of the Hooghly. They had found out theremoval of the Government was contrary to law. They had intended to beitinerant for a year or two. 

It is only in the Bengal army that the officers are old. There they rise byseniority. In the Madras army they are made from fitness. 

The Madras army, though most gallant, was quite unequal, from deficiency ofphysical strength, to face the Burmese. The Burmese soldiers broughtfourteen days' provisions. All men are liable to be called upon. They neverhad more than 120, 000 in the field. 

The English army took 2, 000 cannon, and it was believed the Burmese had2, 500 left. 

Sir A. Campbell says there have been 60, 000 refugees from Ava--all nowsettled in Tenasserim. I had thought there had never been more than 10, 000, and that some, about half, had returned. 

Upon the whole, he seems enamoured of his conquests, but he did not adduceany good reason against exchanging it. 

At the Cabinet room. Saw Lord Rosslyn there, as I used to be last year, _désoeuvré_ and bored, as all Privy Seals will be. He seemed dissatisfiedwith the state of affairs in Ireland and in England. At Manchester there isa fear of a turn-out of some more cotton-spinners. Every thing depends uponthe harvest. 

The negotiations with the Turks came to nothing. The Grand Vizier's answerto Diebitch is excellent. 

The sickness amongst the Russian troops continues, and Diebitch has notmore than 40, 000 men, even with Roth's corps. 

The Ambassadors have been very well received at Constantinople. All are ingood humour there, notwithstanding the losses near Shumla. 

The Emperor does not go to the army. 

Lord Heytesbury represents Russia as being the least formidable of thegreat Powers for the purpose of offensive operations, and seems to thinkshe contains many elements of convulsion. 

Metternich is trying to cajole the Russians by pretended fears ofrevolutionary principles. 

They talk of a King in Columbia, and the French are intriguing to place aFrench prince on the throne, after Bolivar. 

_July 25, 1829. _

Cabinet room. The Ambassadors seem to have been received most cordially atConstantinople. We know no more of the Grand Vizier's losses. That heexperienced a complete defeat there can be no doubt. 

In Columbia, the French seem rather inclined to place, after Bolivar, aPrince of the House of Orleans on the throne, and it does not seem unlikelythat the Columbians may consider it their best arrangement. 

The Emperor of Russia seems to be desirous of Peru, and the King of Prussiahas, at his request, sent the Baron von Müffling as his Minister to thePorte to mediate. 

The Irish accounts are very bad. Lord F. Leveson seems now to think veryseriously of the state of things. Doherty is come back much alarmed fromBarris, where he has been with Blackie on a special commission. 

_July 28. _

I recommended to the attention of the Chairs the establishment of steamcommunication with India by the Red Sea. 

_July 29. _

Read _précis_ relative to Kotah. 

These _précis_ will make me thoroughly acquainted with the history andcircumstances of the Rajpoot States, which are by far more interesting thanothers. 

There is a looseness and a vulgarity in the East India House writing, theliterature of clerks which is quite disgusting. Our clerks write betterthan theirs, but they do not write concisely and correctly. 

_July 30. _

Read Lord Heytesbury's letters. He is very Russian. They have certainly gotthe plague at Odessa, and in all the stations of the Russian army. 

Met Peel at the Cabinet room. He said Ireland was in rather a better state. He agreed with me in thinking the Brunswickers were the cause of all themischief. He believed the King had begged the Duke of Cumberland to stay, and that the Duchess was certainly coming over. They wish to attack theMinistry through the side of Ireland--to make a civil war rather than notturn out a Government. 

He had written to the Duke suggesting that we ought to have a Cabinetrespecting Ireland, and he thought the Duke would come to town on hisletter. 

_August 1. _

Had from Sir G. Murray papers relative to the Canada question, upon whichhe wishes to have the opinion of the Cabinet to-morrow. The immediatequestion is whether a Bill passed by the Colonial Legislature for alteringthe state of the representation shall be confirmed by the Crown. 

The state of Canada is such that I am convinced we ought in prudence toplace the revenue collected under the 14th Geo. II. At the disposal of theChambers, retaining, as they are willing to retain, a fixed salary for theGovernment judges, independent of the annual vote. 

_Sunday, August 2. _

Cabinet at 4. Irish question. Lord F. Leveson seems to be much alarmed. Hewants to use the Bill of this year for the suppression of an expectedmeeting at Derry, which meeting is to be unarmed, sing songs, drink toasts, make speeches, and petition for a change of Ministers. 

It was considered that the powers entrusted to Government by the Bill forthe suppression of the Roman Catholic Association were never intended to beexercised for the putting down of such a meeting as that intended to beheld at Derry. If the Brunswickers there come out of their houses and havea procession _causing fear_ and threatening the peace, the common law canput them down. Care will be taken to have troops enough at Derry. 

Lord F. Leveson likewise asks whether he shall proclaim martial law! Peelvery properly asks him what martial law is. In fact it is the absence ofall law--and can only be endured when a country is on the eve of rebellionor actually in rebellion. [Footnote: This was exactly the description givenof it by Lord Beaconsfield with reference to Jamaica in 1866. ]

It seems to me that Lord Francis is unequal to his situation. I wish we hadHardinge there. He would never go wrong. 

Herries told me he thought, after reading the papers I had sent him, thatthere was more of care for the Company than he expected. 

Peel has written a very good letter to Lord F. Gower, telling him that thefirst thing they must do is to establish an _efficient police_, to be paidfor by Ireland--and of which the officers must be appointed by Government. 

_August 3. _

Saw Hardinge. He has perfected a very excellent system in Ireland by whichall the 30, 000 pensioners are divided into districts, in each of which is achief constable who pays them. If they move from one district to anotherthey have a ticket, so that the residence and the movements of all areknown. Of 30, 000 about 10, 000 are fit for duty. Blank orders are ready atthe Castle, directing the march of these men upon five central points, where they would be incorporated with the regiments, so that in a few daysthe army could be reinforced by 10, 000 men. There are others who are notvery capable of doing anything but mischief if against us. These would beordered to the garrisons. 

I wish Hardinge was in Ireland instead of Lord Francis. 

_August 6. _

Chairs at 11. 

Astell does not seem to like my letters relative to the delay in answeringdespatches from India and in communicating events in India; and respectingthe amount of military stores sent to India, and the expediency ofenquiring whether their amount could not be diminished. Loch did not sayanything. It was an attempt at bullying on Astell's part, which I resisted, and successfully. 

_August 10. _

The Russians appear to have passed the defiles on the northern side of theBalkans, and almost without loss. There is, I conclude, a force nearBourgas, but all that is to be hoped is that the Turks will be wise enoughnot to fight. It was an unlucky appointment, that of the Grand Vizier. OldHussein never would have committed his fault. 

R. Gordon has been magnificently received at Constantinople. 

Polignac has been made Prime Minister of France. De Rigny is made Ministerof Marine. The Government is Tory, and I should think very favourable toEnglish alliance, not Greek, and certainly not Russian. If it should beable to stand, it must be good for us. Received letters from ColonelMacdonald from Tabriz. He says the Russians at Tiflis talk as if they weregoing to war with us. 

_August 11. _

Received Persian despatches. The Persians will pay no more. They wanted togo to war. No one would go as Envoy to Petersburg but an _attaché_. Theyall thought they should be beheaded. Macdonald seems to have kept themquiet. 

Cabinet room. Met Lord Melville. Read Gordon's letters from Constantinople. The Turks have not above 20, 000 men there. They are not disposed to yieldat all. Gordon thinks if we declared we would fix in any manner the limitsof Greece, and maintain them, the Porte would not quarrel with us, andwould rather do anything than yield the point of honour by acknowledgingthe independence of the Greeks. 

The Russians mean to pass the Balkans with 60, 000 men and march onAdrianople. They send a large force by sea to Sizeboli to turn Bourgas. 

Lord Francis Leveson holds out the apprehension of a long religious contestin Ireland. [Footnote: Unhappily, like other pessimists, he seems to havejudged Ireland correctly. ] I believe he looks only at the surface andjudges from first appearances. 

_August 12. _

A victory gained by Paskewitz over the Seraskier, whom he has takenprisoner, with thirty-one pieces of cannon, &c. , near Erzeroum--that is, three days after the battle, Paskewitz, still in pursuit, was within fortymiles of Erzeroum. 

Wrote two letters to the Duke--one on the subject of Sir J. P. Grant, whohas closed the Courts at Bombay because the Government would not execute anunlawful process, and the other respecting Persian affairs, giving thesubstance of the despatches which I enclosed. 

We have a Cabinet to-morrow at 12 on Turkish affairs. I would not allow theRussians to advance any further. I would send one from our own body, _incognito, _ to Paris to talk to Polignac and endeavour to get him to joinus in an act of vigorous intervention which would give character to hisGovernment and save Constantinople. I would pass the English and Frenchfleets through the Dardanelles, and give Russia a leaf out of the GreekTreaty. But I do not expect that this will be Aberdeen's course. 

Drummond, whom I saw, said the Duke was delighted with the account of theJaghirdars of the Kistna. Granville is gone to Ireland. 

The Duke was gone to Windsor. It is the King's birthday. 

_August 13. _

When the Cabinet was assembled the Duke said we were not to consider thestate of things at Constantinople, and what we should do. He thought theRussians would get to Constantinople, and into it. If they did he thoughtthere was an end of the Ottoman Empire. He was doubtful whether, after theinnovations introduced, the Turks would cordially support Mahmoud, [Footnote: Sultan Mahmoud, as is well known, remodelled the whole internalorganisation of the Turkish Empire. He was denounced as the Giaour Sultanby old-fashioned Turks. ] and already there were insurrections of theGreeks. It was just what he predicted in his letter to La Ferronays, andwhat Lord Dudley afterwards said in a letter to Lièven; the success of theRussians was the dissolution of an Empire which could not be reconstituted. It was too late to interfere by force, even if we had been disposed to doso alone. 

He thought France, if we did nothing, would be quiet--if we did anything, she would take the other line. Polignac was a more able man than peoplesupposed, and he would adhere to the course he adopted. We might endeavour, at any rate, to ascertain his feelings and intentions. 

As to the Greek question we must have a conference, and consider thesuggestions of the Ambassadors, namely, that whatever we chose to makeGreece, should be declared independent, and guaranteed. Both the Duke andAberdeen thought France and Russia would both take the proposition intoconsideration. The former as to _limits_, the latter for delay. France hadalready told us that, provided we could agree upon the limits, she wasinclined to adopt the suggestion of the Ambassadors. 

We asked whether the permanent occupation of Constantinople by Russia wasto be submitted to? The answer was, _No_, to be opposed by war. It seemedto me and to Fitzgerald we had better endeavour to prevent, at a smallexpense, even if alone, a measure we could only retrieve if it took placeat an enormous expense, if at all, and which would in all probabilityeffect the ruin of the Turkish Empire. I did not think affairs quite sodesperate. I thought the Russians might get to Adrianople, but not toConstantinople, and that they could not maintain themselves at Adrianoplewithout the command of the sea. We had six ships at the mouth of theDardanelles, and these with the Turkish Fleet would open the Black Sea. 

I was for passing our ships up to Constantinople and placing them at thedisposal of the Ambassador, for from hence we cannot give orders adapted tocircumstances. It was replied _that_ would be war. If war were to bedeclared we should do as much mischief as possible, and go to Cronstadt, not to the Black Sea. We should have our ships beyond the Bosphorus whenRussia occupied the Dardanelles, and shut us in. This would make usridiculous. 

As the object is not to do mischief to Russia, but to save the TurkishEmpire, I should say that measure was to be effected at the Bosphorus, forConstantinople, once taken, and the Ottoman Power annihilated, it would beof no use to distress Russia. 

Fitzgerald seemed to be of my opinion that, however desperate the chance, we should do all we could to save Constantinople, and at any risk. 

It was determined that our fleet in the Mediterranean should be reinforcedby three or four line-of-battle ships, on the principle that wherever anyPower had a large force, we should have one--not a very wise principle, itseems to me, if we are never to use force. I interceded for a few powerfulsteamers, with 68 pound carronades, and I think Lord Melville seemedinclined to acquiesce. 

Questions are to be put to Polignac to ascertain what he would do incertain events. I said he never would open himself to Lord Stuart. It wasthen suggested by the Duke that Aberdeen could write a private letter. Thiswill, I believe, be done. I said to Fitzgerald, who was next to me, 'Neither letter nor Stuart will get anything out of Polignac. One ofourselves should go to Paris as an individual, see Polignac, and returnbefore the Conference. '

I suggested Rosslyn, as he had nothing to do. Fitzgerald said he could goand return in a week, and seemed to wish to do so. However, nothing wassaid openly; and with all the means of success in our hands, for, I think, Polignac _might_ be brought into our views, we shall lose all by not usingproper instruments; just as we have lost the Greek question by persistingin keeping Stratford Canning. 

We had a good deal of conversation as to the limits of Greece. The Duke wasfor adhering to the Morea. It was _really_ the best line. It was what wehad guaranteed. We had told the Turks we did not mean to go beyond it. 

Aberdeen has always had a little private hankering after Athens, though heridicules it. He had no scruple about annexing Athens, although not yettaken. I said I thought Polignac would be disposed to hold our language toRussia, if we would make some concession on the subject of Greece, andenable him to settle that question with _éclat_. He would then be supportedby France in any strong language he might hold, and would establish himselfby the experiment of his first fortnight of office. 

However, the Cabinet seems disposed to look at accessories, not atprinciples, at the minor objects rather than at _the one great object_, which is inducing France to act with us to prevent the occupation ofConstantinople or to force its evacuation. Instead of yielding upon pointsof minor importance, in order to carry the question, we are to insist nowon the minor points-the evacuation of the Morea by the French, and then, Ifear we shall weaken Polignac's Government, and lose our object. 

Our foreign policy has certainly been, most unsuccessful. We have succeededin nothing. 

The communication to be made to Polignac is to be made to himconfidentially, and he is to know it is not to be made to Austria. It isconsidered that in any case Austria would support France and England ifthey acted together, and any indication Austria might give of moving alonewould bring down Prussia upon her. This line, I think, well considered andprudent. 

It seemed to be thought that, if the Turkish Empire should be _dissolved_, Austria might be inclined to share the spoils and be quiet; but if it wereonly _weakened_, she would feel she suffered. 

It seemed to be admitted by all that we ought to have taken a decided steplong ago. That we were too late, and that we were inexcusable. 

I said a year ago Aberdeen would ruin us--he would gradually let us down, not by any flagrant error, but by being always under the mark. The Duke, occupied as he is as Prime Minister, wanted an efficient secretary forForeign Affairs, and he could not have had a worse. 

Peel seems to think Ireland stands much better since the proclamationrespecting the attack made by the Ribbonmen upon the Orangemen inFermanagh. He seems to think the Irish Government ready enough when thingsare brought to their notice, but that they do not read or attend to thereports made to them. 

_August 19. _

I am inclined to think from what Colonel Hodgson says that leather might bemade in India as well as here. They have the hide of the buffalo. They wantthe _tanning_, and some one must be sent from this country to teach them. He told me of a Mr. Cotton who was long at Tanjore, where the iron is, andI have written to him. 

_August 22. _

The Russians have taken Erzeroum, and have quite dispersed the Turkish armyin Asia. Every success of theirs in that quarter makes my heart bleed. Iconsider it a victory gained over me, as Asia is _mine_. 

_August 28. _

The 'Courier' of last night throws doubts on the reported victory ofKirkhilissa. The Sultan is said to be now ready to treat. The plague is inthe Russian army, and in the country before them. Had a long conversationwith Hardinge on Indian affairs. 

_August 29. _

Read a letter from Mr. Cartwright, the Consul at Constantinople, dated the9th. The loss of Erzeroum is to be attributed to the Janizaries. In allAsia they seem to be rising. The Russians are not expected to advance tillthey are joined by 15, 000 men, coming by sea. Thus our fleet would havesaved Constantinople. 

Cabinet at half-past three. Before the Cabinet read Lord Heytesbury's andMr. Gordon's despatches. Lord Heytesbury seems to be a mere Russian. 

_August 31. _

Mr. Gordon describes the Turkish Empire as falling to pieces. The nationalenthusiasm and religious feeling of the people seem to be gone. The Sultanis unpopular. The populace of Adrianople desires the advance of theRussians, so scandalous has been the conduct of the Asiatics. The Pacha ofEgypt gives no assistance, and thinks the weakness of the Porte constituteshis strength. The people of Trebizond have invited Count Paskewitz. Erzeroum was lost by the treachery of the Janizaries. 

The Sultan has acceded to the Treaty of London. This accession isqualified, but not in such a manner as to preclude negotiation. He hasconsented to treat with Russia, to give freedom to the navigation of theBlack Sea, and to observe the Treaty of Akerman--but he stipulates for theintegrity of the Ottoman dominions in Europe and Asia. He has not, however, sent Plenipotentiaries. 

General Muffling, the Prussian, is arrived at Constantinople. He reportsthe moderate views of the Emperor Nicholas, and states them. 

The French Government, from the information it derived from its Minister atBerlin, has instructed Count Guilleminot to declare to the Turks the termson which Russia will make peace. Russia requires the execution of theTreaty of Akerman--indemnity--(but moderate) for the expenses of the warand the losses sustained by her commerce, for which indemnity, as it seems, she is willing to take Anapa. 

She requires the free navigation of the Dardanelles for all nations. Thiscession to be secured by treaty, not by territorial occupation. 

The terms of the Turks are not very dissimilar; but as Count Diebitch hasorders to advance till preliminaries are signed, a catastrophe may takeplace still. 

Mr. Gordon managed to get a paper into the Sultan's own hands, which mayhave led in some measure to this result. He naturally gave credit to theinformation contained in the Despatches of Count Guilleminot, but theFrench Government have no authority for their opinion as to the terms onwhich Russia will make peace. No communication to that effect has been madeofficially to them. 

The French and Russian Ministers at the Conference said they could not acton Mr. Gordon's letter, which is as yet uncorroborated by CountGuilleminot. They could not yet act as if Turkey had acceded to the Treatyof London. 

The Russians would now declare the independence of Greece within the Gulfsof Volo and Arta, and they wanted Aberdeen to take that instead of thetreaty. He thought he could get them to declare the independence of Greece_within the Morea_--that they would be satisfied with that, and that, ifthey would, we had better secure that for the Turks now, than run the riskof the event of war and of the extension which might be given to the termswhich might be forced upon them under the Treaty of London. 

However, even admitting that the Russians would be content with theindependence of Greece within the Morea (with Attica, [Footnote: Attica wasstill held by the Turks, having been reconquered after its first occupationby the Greeks. ] by-the-bye), it was the opinion of the Duke and of everyone (but Aberdeen) that it would neither be generous nor honourable toforce upon the Turks in their distress terms which _they_, attaching muchvalue to the _suzeraineté_, might think less favourable than what theymight obtain under the Treaty of London, and that we should be drawingourselves into the embarrassment of what would be practically a new treatyat the moment that we were beginning to entertain hopes of getting out ofthat which had so long harassed us. 

Upon the whole, I think the aspect of Eastern affairs is better than it hasbeen since we have been a Government. 

Diebitch is said to have 35, 000 men, and a reserve of 40, 000. I doubt thereserve being so strong. The 15, 000 from Sebastopol have joined. 

Paskewitz is made Grand Cross of St. George. 

Diebitch will be so, of course. 

The King, Peel said, is very blind. He has lost the sight of one eye. TheDuke said when he was at Windsor last, the King was particularly civil tohim, and Peel and the Duke were both of opinion that the King would be mostcordial with the Government if the Duke of Cumberland were away, and wasnow more so than could be expected under his influence. 

Aberdeen seems to have written the letter to Stuart, and Stuart to havecommunicated it to Prince Polignac. Stuart's idea is that Polignac has hadtoo much to do in fixing himself to think much of foreign politics. Heexpressed himself, however, disposed to consult with England as to themeasures which should be adopted if Russia should break her engagements. 

Several representations have been made to France for the withdrawing of theFrench troops from the Morea--but hitherto without effect. These troopskeep the country quiet, and enable the whole force of the Greek State toact offensively. Thus, assisted by French and Russian money, the Greekshave acquired possession of everything within the Gulfs of Volo and Arta, except the Island of Negropont. 

_September 1, 1829. _

Read with attention a paper of Courtney's on Leach's observations. Wrotesome memoranda upon it, which I shall send with it to the Duke, when I havegot from Shepheard a statement of the benefit derived by the territory fromthe fixed rate of exchange. It is a valuable paper. I have written to thankhim for it, and to ask him to give me the result of his considerations onthe mode of transferring the Government of India from the Company to theKing, without materially increasing the patronage of the Crown; andlikewise the view he takes of the alterations it would be desirable tointroduce, if the Company should continue to govern India, in the powers ofthe Board of Control and in its relations with the Court. 

_September 3. _

The Directors are much afraid of the Russians. So am I, and the Russiansbegin to threaten us. They hint that they have open to them the route toBagdad, and they announce the presence in Petersburg of an Afghan Chief, and of Ambassadors from Runjeet Singh. 

I feel confident we shall have to fight the Russians on the Indus, and Ihave long had a presentiment that I should meet them there, and gain agreat battle. All dreams, but I have had them a long time. 

I have some idea of a secret letter to Bombay, directing the Government totake possession of the Island of Karak, [Footnote: A small island in thePersian Gulf to the north-west of Bushire. ] and of any other tenable pointto seal the Euphrates, in the event of the Russians moving down. 

Loch wants to dethrone Runjeet Singh!

_September 4, 1829. _

Saw Colonel Willoughby Cotton, who commanded _en second_ in Ava. He haslately visited, as Adjutant-General of King's troops, all the stations ofthe army in Bengal. He says no army can be in finer order. Lord Combermerehas weeded all the old men. The regiments manoeuvre beautifully. 

Lord C. Wishes to have two King's regiments cantoned under the HimalayaMountains, where the climate is as good as in England. 

Runjeet Singh has conquered Cabul and Cashmere. He has French officers atthe head of his infantry and cavalry, and about five others. His artilleryhe keeps under his own family. He has of regular troops 30, 000 infantry, and 10, 000 cavalry, about eighty guns. All these easily assembled near thecapital. 

He is old, and when he dies his two sons are likely to quarrel and call usin. 

The two ex-Kings of Cabul are living at Ludeana on pensions. Zemaun Shah, the blind King, and his brother, who was King in Mr. Elphinstone's time. 

Colonel Cotton speaks most highly of the Madras troops. They are moredisposable than the Bengal troops, more free from prejudice of caste. 

He regrets the reduction of the bodyguard which conducted itself nobly inAva. I like a guard, and I would have an infantry as well as a cavalryguard, to be formed by picked men. 

Colonel Willoughby Cotton says Colonel Skinner is about 55. His son is amerchant, and goes every year into Cashmere for shawls. Skinner has stillabout 1, 300 men, and is quartered not far from Delhi. His people fire thematchlock over the arm at full gallop, and with correct aim. They strike atent-peg out of the ground with their lances. 

_September 5. _

Received an answer from the Duke. He thinks the question of the sixregiments begins to be serious, as the Court throw upon the Government theresponsibility of running the risk of a mutiny in the army--desires to seethe paper, which I have sent him, and says it must go to the Cabinet. 

I feel satisfied I am right. If the Cabinet give in to the Court, theyweaken my hands so much that I shall be unable to effect any great reform. They make the Directors the real Ministers of India, and almost emancipatethe Indian Government. So I told the Duke in my letter. 

_September 7. _

Office. Saw Sir A. Campbell. He came to offer himself for a command inIndia. I spoke to him of his papers respecting war with the Burmese. Hesays large boats carrying 100 men could go up to Aeng, the troops need notland at Ramree. He was never an advocate for a diversion at Rangoon, andthinks they make too much fuss about the frontier of Munnipore. 

Saw a Mr. Cotton, for a long time collector of Tanjore. He is againstintroducing the Ryotwaree settlement into that country, and by his accountit seems very ill adapted to it, for according to him the Murassidars arethere really proprietors, and with them the settlement is now made for thevillage. 

I sent for him to tell me about the iron I had understood to be in theneighbourhood of Tanjore; but there is none, it is at Satara. He seems asensible man, and I must see him again. 

The Turks seem to have endeavoured to back out of their accession to theTreaty of London, or rather to clog it with insuperable objections. But Mr. Gordon has brought them back again, and on August 12 all was right, but noPlenipotentiaries sent. The Russians were said to be moving on Adrianople. They had not above 35, 000 men. There is a very bad account from Smyrna ofthe state of the population in Asia. In fact the Duke of Wellington'sprediction is fulfilled. The Turkish Empire is breaking to pieces. By LordHeytesbury's account the Russians are very desirous of peace, and veryapprehensive that a popular tumult may put an end to the Sultan. It isimpossible to see the end of the calamities which would occur, complicatedas they would be, if such an event as the dissolution of the Turkish Empiretook place. 

The new French Ministry is changing the municipalities. They hope tosucceed at the next elections. Lord Stuart considers M. De la Bourdonnayeas the real head. 

Polignac very prudently rests on his oars as to Greece, and properlyobserves it is idle to make protocols here when the march of events mayhave altogether changed the state of things before the protocols arrive. 

_September 8. _

Office at 11. Went to the Duke. He read to me a long letter he had writtenon the question of the six regiments, in which he entered at length intothe state of the Indian army such as he knows it to be, and concludes infavour of a revision of the line I had adopted with his approbation. Hesaid the Government of India was wrong--every line of the proposed letterabstractedly right; but there was to be considered the expediency ofwriting it. 

I have written a letter to Lord W. Bentinck, stating confidentially thegrounds of the change of opinion as to the disbanding of the six extraregiments. I added, 'However, such an event will not happen in your time, nor I hope in mine, ' or something to that effect. 

_September 11. _

Chairs at 11. Read to them the Duke's letter on the six regiments. Toldthem I had written a private letter to Lord William to relieve his mindfrom the censure intended for former Governments (a very small portion ofwhich is chargeable on him), and to caution him against similar errors. Gave them the alteration I had intended to make in the draft respectingpensions granted to King's soldiers enlisted into their army. They willconsider it. 

_September 14. _

Read the papers containing the correspondence with the local Governmentsrespecting the provision of stores in India. It is hardly credible, yet itis true, that till within these few years the Medical Board indented uponEngland for drugs which were produced in India! From Madras as late at 1827they indented for file handles and blacksmiths' tongs! From Bombay in 1826for wooden canteens and triangles! It is evident the local Governments havenever displayed any energy. 

_September 16. _

Received from the Duke his ideas on the subject of a campaign against Ava. He would hold the great Dagon Temple at Rangoon, but only for the purposeof having vessels in the river to co-operate with the army. 

_September 17. _

To-day has been an idle day. I have done nothing; but I have takenexercise, and so acquired _health_, without which I cannot do business. 

_September 20. _

Met Mr. Conyngham of the Foreign Office. He told me the Turks were ready tomake the required concessions. Of the disposition of the Russians nothingseems known. R. Gordon has of his own authority ordered up Sir PulteneyMalcolm from Vourla to the Dardanelles. I suppose to carry away Englishmenand their property in the event of an insurrection or of some terriblecatastrophe at Constantinople. 

Lord Stuart, as I suspected, gives no opinion as to the probable result ofthe political contest in France. 

I had a letter from the Duke respecting half-Batta. 

_September 24. _

Cabinet room. Read all the letters from Petersburg, Paris, Berlin, andConstantinople during the last fortnight, and the despatches sent duringthe last month. 

R. Gordon seems to have done very well. He and Guilleminot have actedcordially together, and when they had induced the Porte to consent to makepeace on the terms prescribed by the Russians, Gordon managed veryprudently to get General Muffling to send his secretary to the Russianhead-quarters with the Turkish Plenipotentiaries. Muffling would have gonewith them to the Reis Effendi had he been well enough; as it was, he senthis secretary, who afterwards went to the Russian head-quarters and wasthus enabled to state distinctly what had passed in the conference heldwith the Effendi. I think it very possible that without the intervention ofthe Prussian Minister, who was known to be acquainted with the feelings ofthe Emperor, General Diebitch would not have agreed to an armistice. Thearmistice seems to have been made on August 29. We know of it from Seymourat Berlin. 

Polignac seems excellently well disposed. He would act cordially with us ifhe dared. At present he is obliged to cover all he does under theinstructions given to Guilleminot by his predecessor under a differentstate of things, before the great Russian successes. He talks of a Congressof the Powers interested, and of a joint declaration if Russia should notadhere to her promise. 

Russia may be kept to her promises by the fear of a revolutionary movementin France. The French Opposition desire the success of the Russians, thedissolution of the Turkish Empire, and the occupation of the Dardanelles bythe Emperor Nicholas, because they know that such events would lead to a_sotto sopra_ in Europe, a general scramble in which they would get theRhine as their boundary. Generally, I have no doubt, young France wishesfor confusion. 

Austria is alarmed and would do nothing. The Prussians hold that theexistence of the Ottoman Empire is not essential to the balance of power(that is, some of them do), and they would be glad to see Austria andRussia divide Turkey, Prussia having her compensation in Germany. However, Muffling, going rather beyond his instructions, has been made to do good. 

I think all things tend to the preservation of peace if there should be noexplosion at Constantinople or in France. The Ottoman Empire seems, however, to be falling to pieces. The Government has been so oppressivethat the people will not fight for it. The Sultan has but 4, 000 troops, andit is said the appearance of 10, 000 Russians would lead to the capture ofConstantinople. 

Diebitch seems to dread the catastrophe which might ensue, and theambassadors have placed before him in strong terms the fatal consequencesof an explosion at Constantinople. 

I must say R. Gordon has done ably and well. 

The rascally Russians have been intriguing with our Ionian subjects, andAberdeen has written a very strong letter to Lord Heytesbury on thesubject. 

Polignac, desirous as he is of withdrawing the French troops altogetherfrom the Morea, is at present afraid of doing so. 

Aberdeen told me things were not going on well here. The King has quitelost the sight of one eye, and the sight of the other is indistinct. Itgives him pain, too, and the fear of blindness makes him nervous. The Dukeof Cumberland is always about him, as mischievous as ever, but pretendingnot to be hostile. 

The Duke of Wellington gives the King up as a bad job. He sees him veryseldom. At first he liked seeing him and setting things to rights; but hesays he found what he did one day was undone the next, and he is indespair. The King has no constancy. There is no depending upon him from oneday to another. 

Aberdeen says the accession of Rosslyn has not produced the effect weanticipated--that Lord Grey is very hostile. What we shall do for amajority next session I know not, but I think we shall stand, [Footnote:This might have been but for the events on the Continent in the yearfollowing, which formed a new starting-point in the politics of a largepart of Europe. ] although we shall not, I fear, be a strong Government. TheCatholic Relief Bill has destroyed our unity and the spirit of party. Ithas likewise destroyed that of the Opposition, who have no longer anyrallying point. Thus the formation of a strong Government is difficult. TheBrunswickers cannot form one, and the King cannot be persuaded to make oneout of the Opposition. Indeed, that the Duke of Cumberland would neveradvise. The Brunswickers will endeavour to make terms with us as a body--tomake martyrs of some of the old Protestants, particularly of the Duke andPeel, and placing themselves at the head to go on as well as they couldwith the rest of us. This will not do. 

_September 26. _

The Chairs, or rather the Court, somewhat impertinently object to theaddition I made to a recent draft, recommending an enquiry by practical andscientific men as to the powers India may possess of producing manyarticles of stores now sent from England. They say this is liable tomisconstruction, and then misconstrue it themselves. They suppose thesepractical men, not being servants of the Company, to sit in judgment uponthe proceedings of the military Board. I have corrected their intentionalmisconstruction, and have acquiesced in the substitution of a draft theypropose to send instead, which will, I hope, practically effect my object, and therefore I have said we are willing our object should be attained inthe manner most agreeable to the Court of Directors. 

It is very lucky I had just sent them my letter about stores. It willappear to be written subsequently to theirs. They think to humbug and tobully me. They will find both difficult. 

_September 30. _

Read the collection respecting the health of the King's troops. It isincredible to me that so many things should remain to be done--nothingseems to have been done that ought to have been done. I fear our financesmake the building of new barracks impossible at present. We could not buildproper barracks for all the European troops in India much under a million. Still much may be done for their health. 

_October 5. _

Arrived in London at 3. To the Cabinet room, where I found Lord Bathurst, come up to town for Seymour Bathurst's [Footnote: Hon. Seymour Bathurst, fourth son of third Earl Bathurst, married October 6, 1829, Julia, daughterof John Peter Hankey, Esq. ] marriage, and afterwards Fitzgerald came in. 

Fitzgerald was a fortnight in Ireland, and gives a bad account of it. 

A letter from Metternich says peace was actually signed. Sir E. Gordon'sdespatches give every reason to expect it soon would be. The peace cannotlast. I am inclined to think it would have been better for the Russians tohave occupied Constantinople, and for the Ottoman Empire to have beenoverthrown that we might have known at once where we were, than to have hadsuch a peace as this. It is practically present occupation (for a year) of_more_ than they now hold, for they are to have the fortresses ceded tothem. They exact 750, 000£ for the pretended losses of their merchants, andfive millions for themselves. The indemnity to the merchants to be paid bythree instalments. On the payment of the first, Adrianople and a few placeson the coast to be given up. On the payment of the second everything to theBalkan, and on the third Bulgaria. These payments occupy a year. 

The five millions are to be paid in ten years, or sooner if the Turks canmanage it. The Principalities to be occupied till the payment. The Turks toconfirm the Government established during the ten years, and not to imposeany taxes for two years more. 

All the fortresses on the left bank to be destroyed. None of the islands tobelong to Turkey. No Turk to enter the principalities. The princes to befor life. All payments _in kind_ from the Principalities to cease, andinstead the Turks and the princes to _agree upon a compensation_! It isunnecessary to go through the other articles relative to thePrincipalities. The treaty contains a real cession of them to Russia. 

The terms as to the navigation of merchantmen, their not being searched ina Turkish port, the refusal of acquiescence in the demands of the RussianMinister where any injury is pretended to have been done to a Russian, tobe _just ground for reprisal_, &c. , are of a nature intolerable to anindependent Power, and not to be carried into execution. 

On the side of Asia everything is ceded that can enable Russia to attackeither Turkey or Persia with advantage. 

The terms imposed with regard to indemnities are extravagant and altogethercontrary to all the Emperor's promises. He has not deceived us; but he haslied to us most foully. Sir R. Gordon seems to have done all that could bedone. Perhaps he has saved Constantinople from conflagration, and theEmpire from dissolution. He has managed to settle the Greek question, Turkey consenting to everything the allies may determine under the protocolof March 22. Sir R. Gordon has taken upon himself to order up the Englishships, and Guilleminot has ordered up the French ships, but they were stillat Smyrna when the dispatch came away. These ships, it is hoped, may besome check on the Russians, and ostensibly they only go up toConstantinople to save Christians. However, if the Russians advance theywill probably lead the Turks to fight. Gordon and Guilleminot have veryproperly told the Sultan they will remain by him in any case. 

The Turks declare the terms are, as regards payment, such as they havereally no means of complying with. The allies will make representations toPetersburg to obtain a relaxation of these conditions. 

In the meantime, while this was doing at Constantinople, Lord Heytesburywas asking Nesselrode what the terms he intended to propose were, andNesselrode would not tell him. Lord Heytesbury's despatch and Gordon's areboth dated on September 10. The 12th was to be the day of signature. LordStuart by Aberdeen's directions has been pressing Polignac very hard towithdraw the French troops from the Morea, and Polignac has been obliged toplead the weakness of his Government, and to put off Lord Stuart byreferring it to the Conference. I should say from what the papers show ofPolignac that he will not stand. I do not know what his antagonists may be, but he is evidently not a powerful man. 

A Liberal told Fitzgerald their object was now in France to make the Kingof the Netherlands King of France, and give Holland to Prussia, takingBelgium and everything to the Rhine to themselves. 

I should say things looked ill everywhere, and unless we can make theEmperor of Russia fear a convulsion in France, and determine to recede fromsome of his stipulations with Turkey to satisfy the rest of Europe, weshall have war, and war under the most unfavourable circumstances--that is, if Austria be not as pusillanimous as she may be weak, for she ought neverto consent to the establishment of the Russians on the Danube. 

The only line for the Turks to pursue is to promise everything; toendeavour to perform everything, and to withdraw to Asia, leaving the restof Europe to settle who shall have Constantinople. _Now_ they could not dothat, as they are too weak; but six months hence they may. 

We dine with the Duke on Wednesday--and shall then, I suppose, determinewhat we are to do. 

_October 7. _

Cabinet at 3. All present except Lord Melville. 

Aberdeen read a paper he had written before the peace was known, the objectof which was to show that the Ottoman Empire was dissolved, and that itcould not be reconstituted; that our views with regard to Greece should nowchange with circumstances, and that we should endeavour to make it asubstantive state. To Turkey it could no longer signify whether Greece hada more extended or more limited line of frontier, and our desire should beto place a fit man upon the throne. France is willing to propose in theConference that to Turkey should be offered the alternative of a Greecewith extended limits under Suzeraineté, &c. , according to the Protocol ofMarch 22, or a Greece with narrower limits, entirely independent. 

The Duke said we must first have satisfaction for the insertion of theArticle in the treaty of peace which bound Turkey to the Protocol of March22; Russia, as a party to the Treaty of London, having no right to settlethat treaty herself. Next, we should insist on an armistice between theGreeks and Turks. 

We must recollect that Turkey had bound herself to acquiesce in thedecision of the Conference upon the Greek Treaty--that is, to defer to ourmediation. Could we, as mediators, propose to Turkey to cede Attica, Negropont, and other possessions she now holds? and would we willinglybring the frontiers of the Greek state into contact with our IonianIslands?

If Greece were to have a sovereign, Prince Philip of Hesse Homburg would bethe best man for us--Austria would prefer him. France admitted that thewishes of Austria ought to be consulted. 

France, however, rather wished for Prince Charles of Bavaria. Russia for aDuke of Saxe-Weimar. 

Aberdeen seemed to think there would be no great difficulty in carrying ourpoint, and having Prince Philip of Hesse Homburg. 

Peel said he thought we could not allow a treaty such as that signed byTurkey to pass without a remonstrance on our part. We referred to a letterof Dudley's, and to Aberdeen's recent instruction to Lord Heytesbury, andlikewise to the various declarations of moderation put forth by the EmperorNicholas. Several ways were started of expressing our opinion--a sort ofcircular to the Powers which signed the Treaty of the Congress--adeclaration to Parliament. 

The Duke suggested a remonstrance to the Emperor Nicholas to becommunicated in the first instance only to Russia. 

This seems likely to be adopted, but we are to have another Cabinet to-morrow. 

In whatever we do we must endeavour to keep Austria out of the scrape, forthere is nothing the Russians would like so much as the opportunity ofmarching to Vienna. 

Not only it would be romantic for us alone to go to war to maintain thebalance of power, but it would, in this case, be absurd indeed, for, if ourarmies had driven the Russians out of Turkey, we could not reconstitute theTurkish Empire. It is dissolved in its own weakness. 

Great dissatisfaction was expressed, and justly, at the conduct of LordHeytesbury, who has been humbugged by the Russians all along. 

The King has run up a bill of 4, 000£ for clothes in six months. All theoffices of the Household, except the Chamberlain's, which has 1, 900£ inhand, are falling into arrear, and if there should be an arrear upon thewhole civil list, it must come before Parliament. 

Fitzgerald gives a very bad account of trade generally. 

The King does not like us better than he did, and the Duke of Cumberlandmeans to keep his son in England, and educate him here, taking the 6, 000£ ayear. He wants to drive the Government to make him Viceroy of Hanover. 

The Cabinet dined with the Duke. 

_October 8. _

Cabinet at 3. A great deal of conversation of which the result was that aremonstrance should be made to Russia on the subject of the terms of thepeace. This remonstrance will temperately but strongly, more by statementof facts than by observations, show that the peace is not such as theEmperor had given us reason to expect he would require, and that it inreality threatens the existence of the Turkish Empire; that the destructionof that Empire would seriously affect the peace of Europe by changing therelative position of the several States. 

Aberdeen wants a guarantee of the territorial possessions of Turkey, not ofits Government. [Footnote: It is observable that this guarantee seems tohave said nothing of the internal system of government, and so far to havebeen unconditional. It would therefore have gone considerably beyond theAnglo-Turkish Convention of 1878. It would also have applied to Europe aswell as Asia. It is a commentary on the statement of Mr. Gladstone, inlater days a colleague of Lord Aberdeen, that no statesman whom he hadknown in former times would ever have listened to the idea of such anengagement. ] I think no one seems much inclined to agree with him. Such aguarantee would impose obligations without conferring rights upon us. Itwould be a guarantee which would give rise to infinite complications, andwhich would embarrass us very much. 

Without a guarantee we may succeed in bringing the great States to anunderstanding that the distribution of the Turkish territories, in theevent of the falling to pieces of that State, must be a subject for thedecision of a Congress. 

Austria has expressed herself very frankly. She is ready to do anything. She sees the danger and desires to know our view of it. The real view ofFrance does not seem to be very different; but there is no dependence to beplaced upon a Government trembling for its life. Prussia will be satisfiedwith the peace. Her sovereign is very weak, and the Prussians think theirinterest is served by the progress of Russia in a direction contrary tothem, and in which she menaces Austria. 

The smuggling case is said to tell against Lord Stuart. He writesunintelligibly, and the French will not trust him--so I shall not be sorryif we can get rid of him. 

With Lord Heytesbury we are all dissatisfied, and have been from thebeginning. There is a Council on Monday, and we have a Cabinet on Sunday at3, when we are to hear Aberdeen's letter, and may probably have the Treaty. 

There seems a determination to effect an armistice by force if theConference will not order it in Greece. 

We have nine good ships there. The Russians seven bad ones, and the Frenchtwo. 

Before the Conference can proceed the 10th Article of the Treaty of Peacemust be declared _non avenu_--that which obliges the Porte to accept theProtocol of March 22--all negotiation upon that Protocol having beencommitted by Russia to the French and English Ambassadors, and it havingbeen expressly reserved to the Porte by us, that her objections should befairly weighed. 

The French have taken advantage of the peace to order their troops homefrom the Morea. 

_October 9. _

Read many of the Protocols of the early Conferences after the Russian, declaration of war. I shall to-morrow read these again carefully and sketch_my_ State paper. 

If I was in opposition I should describe the details relative to thePrincipalities, as showing the moderation of the thief who would stipulatethat men should sleep with their doors open, till they have ransomedthemselves by paying their uttermost farthing. 

_October 10. _

Received a letter from Sir J. Malcolm. He seems pleased with the secretdispatches relative to Persia and the Pacha of Bagdad. He seems upon thewhole very much gratified, and very grateful. 

He strongly presses the appointment of an Indian as his successor, andmentions Sir Ch. Metcalfe and Jenkins. He likewise mentions a Mr. Chaplin, of whom I never heard. I take Jenkins to be a cleverer man than Sir Ch. Metcalfe, [Footnote: Afterwards Lord Metcalfe. ] who rather disappoints me. 

Had three letters by Petersburg from Colonel McDonald, the last dated inAugust. The Persians, thoroughly alarmed, are doing all they can to satisfythe Emperor Nicholas by punishing the persons engaged in the massacre ofthe Russian mission; but they had an insurrection to quell on banishing theHigh Priest, who was at the head of all. As they conclude all the badcharacters had a hand in it they mean to take the opportunity of punishingthem. Paskewitz is said to have from 20, 000 to 22, 000 men--to havesustained no loss in the late engagements, but to suffer from the plague. At Erzeroum the Mahometans are not only satisfied, but well pleased. TheGovernment of a Russian general is better than that of a Turkish Pasha. 

The Prince Abbas Mirza is at last doing something towards making an army. Major Hart, alone, however, keeps it together. The troops are as yet ill-armed, but they have their pay. McDonald thinks the King not likely to livelong. He wants a cypher. 

_October 11, Sunday. _

Came up from Worthing to a Cabinet. Before we met read the last lettersfrom Lord Heytesbury, which show a degree of infatuation respecting theRussians, which is quite wonderful. 

Before we began to talk Rothschild called out the Duke of Wellington, andoffered at once all the money to pay the Russian Indemnity. He said he onlywanted the guarantee of England!

If the Russians remained in the Principalities there would be a generalwar. 

Irvine, an English loan jobber, saw the Duke yesterday with the same offer. 

The joke is that Rothschild is to pay the money for the Turks, and to bemade King of Jerusalem. 

Aberdeen began by begging we would first settle the Greek question. Hebrought a paper the Russians were willing to deliver in containing a sortof apology for the 10th Article, and declaring that it by no meansinterfered with the powers of the Conference. We took a great deal of timein considering whether we should not suggest some alteration in thispaper--some is to be proposed--not very essential. 

We had a long discussion as to the name of the new State. At last it seemedto be thought 'Sovereign Prince of Greece' was the best. Aberdeen thinkshe shall have little difficulty about the Prince. The Russians agree to thedescription given; but I dare say they imagine we mean to describe adifferent man. I suspect they think we want to give them Leopold. 

Aberdeen read a letter he proposed sending to Lord Stuart, the purport ofwhich was that we wanted to know what he meant to do towards redeemingFrance from the responsibility she had incurred and made us incur by givinginstructions to Count Guilleminot, stating the terms of peace and themoderation of the Emperor--instructions which misled our Ambassador, andinduced the two Ambassadors to give assurances to the Porte which eventsproved to be unfounded. 

The letter, I think, likewise desired him to enquire in what form our jointrepresentations as to the amount of the indemnity were to be made. To thesethe Ambassadors have pledged the two Cabinets. 

There was a great deal more in the letter which is to be left out. It wentinto the details of the treaty, or rather of its effects. 

The offer is to be made to the Turks of an independent Greece, from theGulf of Volo to Missolonghi, or of a Greece under Suzeraineté, withNegropont, and the line from Volo to the Gulf of Arta. 

I think we are all agreed that at the commencement of the war it was ourinterest to take as little as possible from Turkey--that now it is ourinterest to make Greece a substantive State, which may hereafter receivethe _débris_ of the Ottoman Empire. [Footnote: This may explain theapparently illiberal views of many of the Cabinet as to the Greekboundaries. They saw the difficulty of any halting place outside theIsthmus of Corinth, short of a wider boundary even than that ultimatelyadopted. ]

As to the really important matter, the remonstrance to Russia, nothing wasdone. Nothing is, I conclude, written, and Aberdeen does not like Cabinetcriticism, nor do I think the Cabinet at all agreed as to what should besaid. Dudley's letters used to occupy us for days, and certainly they werethe better for it--although we lost a good deal of time occasionally. 

Aberdeen said he would send it to me. I think I shall write an _esquisse_myself. We are to have no more Cabinets for some time. The Chancellorwishes to have the remaining fortnight of his holidays uninterrupted. 

_October 12. _

Went to town at quarter-past one. To the Foreign Office. The treaty arrivedlast night. Lord Aberdeen took it with him to Windsor. It differsmaterially from the _projet_. The Articles respecting indemnity are_relégués_ to a separate transaction. The payment of 100, 000 ducats is tolead to the evacuation of Adrianople; 400, 000 form the next payment, then500, 000, and 500, 000, making the sum originally demanded for individuallosses; but, as I understand Mr. Backhouse, eighteen months must elapsebefore Turkey can be evacuated to the Danube. I had much conversation withhim as to other points. On looking into the Act of the Congress I find thePowers adhering to it may be considered as binding themselves not to_disturb_ the territorial arrangements that Act establishes; but they arenot bound to _maintain_ them. Thus if France appropriated to herself Spain, she would violate the treaty, but no Power signing the treaty would beobliged, by virtue of that Act, to make war upon France for doing so. 

That the general treaty contains no guarantee is evident from the specificguarantee of the cessions made by Saxony to Prussia, which would have beenunnecessary if the spirit of the treaty had been that of existentguarantee. 

_October 13. _

Cabinet room. Found Lord Rosslyn there. Read the treaty. 

The King was very well yesterday. The Recorder's Report was so long thathalf was deferred. 

The last dispatches from Persia, which arrived on Friday, were opened atthe Foreign Office, and read by everybody. Aberdeen sent them to the Duke, who has probably taken them to Walmer in his carriage. The Chairs sent forthem, and could not get them. I must put a stop to this. I have written toLord Heytesbury to beg he will in future forward letters to their address. 

Wrote a 'proposed draft' to Lord Heytesbury, directing him, if he shouldhave reason to think the Russians intend to exact further concession fromPersia, to intimate that such an attempt will be considered by his Majestyas unfriendly to himself as an Asiatic Power. I doubt my getting the Duketo agree to the sending of this despatch; but I shall try. 

_October 14. _

Carried my proposed letter to Lord Heytesbury to Aberdeen, who agrees tosend it with a trifling alteration, at least one not very important. Readto him my proposed letter to Lord Heytesbury on the Peace of Adrianople. Heseemed to approve of great part of it. He has done nothing at his yet, andseems to think there is no hurry!

We shall stand very ill in Parliament if we have nothing to show. I thinkmine is a good _cadre_ of a letter, but that specific instructions shouldbe given to Lord Heytesbury as to what he shall endeavour to obtain in aseparate despatch. 

Read my drafts to Lord Rosslyn after dinner. He seemed to think the view Itook was the right, and that much of what I had written was very good, butthat it might be shortened. So I think. 

_October 15. _

Henry copied the draft to Lord Heytesbury, for the Duke, to whom I sent itwith a letter. 

Showed the Chairs the draft to Lord Heytesbury on Persia. They were muchpleased with it. So was old Jones. Sent it to the Duke. In little doubt hisapproving it. 

Received from the Duke the Persian despatches which I gave to the Chairs. The Duke had not read them. 

Received from him a letter on the subject of half-Batta. He says as anofficer he should have thought there was a compromise in 1801. That itshould be looked into as a question of economy. That above all things indealing with an army you must _be just_. 

The Duke thinks the publication of the letter of Lord Combermere'ssecretary indiscreet and _wicked_, and is very angry with Lord Combermere. 

A letter will be written to the Government on the subject, directingenquiry. 

_October 19, Sunday. _

Read McDonald's despatches from Persia, and sent them to the Duke, with aletter suggesting the heads of a letter to the Envoy. 

The Russians have given up one of the two crores due, and allow five yearsfor paying the other. They mean, therefore, to rule Persia _by influence_. However, there is a good Mahometan and Anti-Russian feeling beyond theEuphrates, and if mischief happens, it is our fault. 

Received a letter from Hardinge respecting half-Batta. He is for standingfirm and giving some general boon, as an addition to marching money, to thewhole army. That is my idea. I am sure it is the safest course. 

Wrote to Loch, suggesting it, and at the same time advised him to answerthe paragraphs respecting half-Batta, and not give misrepresentations toomuch head. 

_October 20. _

Two letters from the Duke, written very hastily. It is evident he did notlike my making a sketch of a letter to Lord Heytesbury, and that he doesnot like any difference of opinion as to the Batta question. 

On the first point I still think I was right. He mentions some ideas ofRussia ordering Diebitch across the Balkan, and even the Danube, of hergiving up the Principalities, &c. In short he says all we know is thatthere is a peace--we do not know what it is--and it would be ridiculous toremonstrate against we know not what. 

My draft was written before these reports were spread; and I only, fromanxiety to have the despatch well written and soon, sketched what I thoughtwould do. 

As to the reports, I have told Aberdeen I cannot believe Russia has on asudden ceased to be ambitious, or to use perfidy as a mode of accomplishingambitious ends. She may give out she will make these changes--she may makesome--but her object is to prevent all combination on the part of Austria, France, and England. If we do not remonstrate against what is signed, weshall lose all credit, if that which is executed should be comparativelyfavourable, and we shall incur great blame if no relaxation takes place. Aremonstrance might be so worded as to do no harm to Turkey or to Europe, and to do good to us. 

The Duke's other letter was on the Batta question, upon which he does notlike contradiction, yet I think his course would lead to continued demandson the part of all the armies. I have told him I shall be in town to seethe Chairs on Saturday, and will try to see him on Friday, and, if hewishes, bring the Chairs to him on Saturday. 

_October 21. _

Received a long confused letter from Fitzgerald upon my project of a draftto Lord Heytesbury. He was at Sudborn, [Footnote: Seat of Lord Hertford, inSuffolk] where the Duke was. The Duke was not so much inclined to think theRussians would make any considerable concessions as Aberdeen, but hethought, and had made Fitzgerald think, it would be premature toremonstrate. I have written to Fitzgerald and told him my opinion more atlength than I told Aberdeen yesterday. 

_October 23. _

Cabinet room. Read the despatches from Petersburg and Paris. All the hintsof the Emperor of Russia's intention of not retaining his army in Turkeycome through Paris, Nesselrode having on September 29 spoken thusspecifically to the Duke de Mortemart, and merely talked about taking lessmoney and making some change in the guarantees to Lord Heytesbury. I didnot see Aberdeen, who was engaged with the Spanish Minister. 

I do not depart from my original idea that Russia does all this to gaintime, and with as much perfidy as she has shown throughout. 

Polignac would take a loyal view if he durst. 

I cannot see the Duke till Monday, as he does not return to London tillSunday evening. 

I saw Hardinge and had a long talk with him about Batta, &c. 

_October 24. _

Chairs at 11. 

The Chairs say the Court have the matter entirely in their hands as toBatta. They wish to have the opinion of the Cabinet, and to be governed bythat. I have written to the Duke to tell him so. 

I am glad there is to be a Cabinet, because I think a Cabinet will take amore popular view of the question than the Duke, and, as I think, a justerview. I am for standing firm. 

The Duke's letter on Persian affairs arrived while I was with the Chairs. Iread it to them. The Duke suggests that McDonald should raise his escort inPersia--an excellent idea. He objects to Major Hart having an assignment ofland. He thinks Willock may be recalled. The officers not; but if theprince will pay them, so much the better. I think the Duke may be right asto the assignments of land. Upon all the other points I entirely agree withhim. Read last night a letter of Lushington's, or rather a minute, whichshows he is determined to remain. 

Cabinet room. Cunningham came in and showed me a draft of Aberdeen's to ourMinister in Spain on the recognition by Spain of Don Miguel--findingexcuses for Spain, and saying we cannot do it. What I saw was the_brouillon_ which had been sent to the Duke. It had his observations inpencil, and it seems Aberdeen sends all his proposed despatches to him andalters them at his suggestion. Certainly Aberdeen, left to himself, wouldbe a very incautious writer. 

_October 26. _

Office early. Saw Captain Hanchett on the subject of the navigation of theRed Sea. He was there two years and a half. He says in going in you shouldmake Aden and wait there for a wind. Water can be had there. Avoid Mocha, where the anchorage is dangerous and the water bad, and go to the Island ofCameran, then straight up in mid channel. All the dangers are visible, andin the mid channel there are none. Cosseir a good little harbour, thedanger is going up to Suez; but that easy for a steamer. He worked withtopgallant sails against the north-west monsoon. There is a breeze alongshore at all times. The danger has been occasioned by the timid sailing ofthe Arabs, who always hug the shore, and anchor at night. 

_October 27. _

I omitted yesterday to mention that at the Foreign Office I saw somedespatches just received from Sir R. Gordon. I think the date of the firstwas October 2. He had the day before at last got the Turks to ratify thetreaty, but it seems there was a hitch, and until the ratification theofficers did not set off to stop hostilities in Asia. A Pasha had advancedon Philippopoli and General Geismar on Sophia. Diebitch threatened toadvance on Constantinople. However, the day after he wrote his threateningletter he must have received the ratifications. The Sultan is very anxiousto get the Egyptian fleet to Constantinople, probably as a pledge for theallegiance of the Pasha, and to show his greatest vassal obeys him. TheTurks say it is the moral effect of the presence of the fleet on their ownsubjects that they want, that they have no idea of not acting faithfully. Sir R. Gordon assures me they mean to preserve the peace and must. 

He has written the representation the Turkish ambassador is to present tothe Emperor. It would be a good remonstrance for us, but it is not a goodone for the Turks. It is very well written, but it is quite European in itsstyle, and the Russians will at once know, as I did, the author. 

The Turks intended to send a splendid embassy to Petersburg, and HalilPasha, once the slave of the Seraskier, now the Sultan's son-in-law, was tohave been the ambassador. He is their least officer. However, Diebitchtells them they must not send it till they have the Emperor's consent. TheTurks have ready the first 100, 000 ducats, to get the Russians out ofAdrianople. 

I should say from these despatches that things do not look peaceful. 

_October 28. _

Had a letter yesterday from Mr. Elphinstone on Nazarre. It appears to be afine on descents, &c. , of Jaghire lands. I think his opinion will bedifferent from Sir J. Malcolm's--the latter wishing to make the Jaghireshereditary, or rather to give a fee simple interest to the actualproprietor. Mr. Elphinstone, on the contrary, thinking they should beresumed on death without heirs. 

_October 29. _

Read a work just published by Colonel de Lacy Evans, on the practicabilityof a Russian invasion of India. The route would be first to China, across adesert from the shores of the Caspian--from China by water up the Oxus, towithin 550 miles of Attock. The great difficulty is between the end of theriver, and the southern side of the Hindoo Koosh. This difficulty, however, has been often surmounted, and the road is constantly travelled bycaravans. 

I think it is clear that the invasion of India could not be attempted tillthe third year; but when should we begin to take precautions? A Governmentwholly Asiatic would not be still if the Russians took possession of China;but ours, chained by European politics, would hardly move if they enteredCabul. 

We ought to have full information as to Cabul, Bokhara, and China. 

My letter of last year directed the attaining of information; but I daresay nothing has been done. 

_October 30. _

Received a Memorial from Mr. Fullerton, asking some remuneration beyond hissalary for past services. He has a claim _if we were rich_. I think heshould have 10, 000 dollars. I dare say he thinks 20, 000. Thoughtlessextravagance is the destruction of generosity and even of justice. 

Upon the subject of the invasion of India my idea is that the thing is notonly practicable, but easy, unless we determine to act as an Asiatic Power. On the acquisition of Khiva by the Russians we should occupy Lahore andCabul. [Footnote: It may be remembered that Lord Ellenborough stronglydisapproved of any occupation of Afghanistan, or interference with itsinternal affairs, in 1840-42. At that time Russia had not advanced toKhiva. It is clear that he would not have held the same opinion as to ourpolicy towards Afghanistan after the events of 1873-74. ] It is not on theIndus that an enemy is to be met. If we do not meet him in Cabul, at thefoot of the Hindoo Koosh, or in its passes, we had better remain in theSutlege. If the Russians once occupy Cabul they may remain there with theIndus in their front, till they have organised insurrection in our rear, and completely equipped their army. I fear there are passes from Balkh uponPeshawur. If these could be closed and the enemy poured upon Cabul weshould know where to meet him. Now we, being at Cabul, might be cut offfrom its resources by the descent of the enemy upon Peshawur. 

There is some road from Roondorg through Cashmere, but I do not fear that. The road an enemy would choose would be that by the Valley of the Cachgu. 

We know nothing of these passes, nothing of the country beyond them, nothing of the course of the Indus--but we should have full information soas to be able to crush an advancing enemy, by making the whole countryhostile, which money would do. 

To meet an invasion we must raise every regiment to 1, 000 men. 

 168 Regiments 360 " ----- 1, 008 504 ------ 60, 480 Men, besides Artillery. 4, 000 King's Inf. Raised to 1, 000 each Reg. 1, 000 Do. Four Regiments of Cavalry. 4, 000 Four new Regiments. 2, 000 Two new Cavalry. Besides King's Artillery. ------ 71, 480

Besides the increase which would take place in the Irregular Corps, particularly in Skinner's. 

A smaller increase than this would not be sufficient; for we should require20, 000 men at Delhi, 20, 000 in Lahore, and 60, 000 in Cabul. I speak ofenrolled, not effectives--but with these augmentations the Regular Armywould only be

 148, 000 N. I. 24, 000 King's. ------- 172, 000 20, 000 Native Cavalry. 6, 000 King's. ------- 198, 000

The out provisional battalions, local corps, &c. , of 198, 000, I do notthink above 100, 000 could possibly be disposable, and there would not be70, 000 effectives. The Artillery must be very numerous. I omitted theCompany's English Regiments, about 3, 000 men. 

Of all nations the Russians are the least adapted for an enterprise of thisnature. They have neither medical staff nor commissariat, and the men arewithout resource. A French army would be the best. I doubt the possibilityof Russia bringing more than 20, 000 men to Cabul, and these could notdescend the mountains till the third year, if Cabul was occupied. What Ifear is an occupation of Khiva unknown to us. No preparation on our part--no marching forward--so that in three or four months from leaving Khiva theenemy might be at Cabul. I am sure we can defeat the enterprise. We oughtto defeat it before the enemy reaches the Indus. If 20, 000 Russians shouldreach the Indus, it will be a sharp fight. 

_November 1, 1829. _

A letter from the Duke. He returned the papers I sent him. He has doubts asto the expediency of making the Commissary-General of Stores I proposed;but he seems to have supposed I wished to do away with the Military Board. I have explained what I meant. 

He approves of my suggestions as to correspondence, but thinks every papermust be sent home, and the collections formed here. I have explained that Ialways intended every paper should be sent home, and I have told him that Ihad the opinion of the clerks I consulted that the collections might beframed in India, with a saving of time, and without diminishing the checkon the local Governments. 

_November 4. _

Received from Aberdeen his draft of a remonstrance to Russia, which, itseems, must be sent at last. He has already shown it to the Duke and Peel. 

There is no great substantive objection to it; but it is not very carefullywritten. I shall send it to him tomorrow with many proposed alterations. Inthe second box came Gaily [Footnote: H. Gaily Knight. Best known for hisworks on the Normans in Sicily, and Ecclesiastical Architecture in Italy. ]Knight's letter to Aberdeen; which is a poor, flimsy production. Apeacock's feather in the hilt of a Drawcansir's sword. 

_November 5. _

Altered, not only verbally, but substantially, Aberdeen's paper, and sentit to him. 

Cabinet room. Read a Memorandum by Lord Heytesbury, of a conversation hehas had with the Emperor of Russia. The Emperor expects the early downfallof the Porte--and a Revolution in France. Asks if another march to Pariswould be possible? Lord Heytesbury saw Nesselrode afterwards and told himwhat the Emperor had said. Nesselrode said the Emperor always saw things_en noir_. He had a different opinion. He did not think the Porte inimmediate danger, nor did he expect a French Revolution. 

The other guarantees they talk of are further cessions in Asia, specifically Batoum, or the occupation of Varna, or Silistria, instead ofthe Principalities. The latter is worse, and the Turks will probablyconsent to neither. They do not value the Principalities, and they knowEurope does. [Footnote: The Principalities, as commanding the lower courseof the Danube, were all important to Austria especially. Thus, occupationby Russia, while it would have been felt as a menace to Central Europe, would have left Turkey a compact state beyond the Danube. ]

_November 6. _

Saw Aberdeen. He is always gloomy about _divisions_. He is afraid of anattack on Foreign Policy. He thinks the two parties will unite in that. Hehears there has been some approximation between Lord Grey [Footnote: LordGrey had been separated from the bulk of the Whig party since theirjunction with Canning in 1827. ] and Lord Holland. At the same time it issaid there is a notion of bringing in Lord Grey. I suspect this report tohave been fabricated by the Ultra-Tories to annoy the King. 

He thinks the Duke is annoyed, more particularly at the King's not treatinghim well, and at his Government not being well supported. 

In fact, however, it is a Government which will not fall, for the Kinghates the Whigs; the people do not regard them. He may like the Tories, buthe knows they cannot make a Government, and the Duke's Administration hasfour-fifths of the country. 

Received a letter from the Duke, telling me he had settled ColonelMcDonald's knighthood, and asking me if I should be ready to talk aboutIndia on the 13th. I said about Batta certainly; about India I had rathertalk first to Lord Melville and him. 

Wrote to the Duchess of Kent telling her a Bengal cavalry cadetship was ather disposal for the son of Colonel Harvey. 

There is a very interesting letter from an English officer at Adrianoplewith respect to the state of the Russian army. It has suffered and suffersmost dreadfully. 

I told Aberdeen if I had seen the account of the conversation between LordHeytesbury and the Emperor Nicholas before I read his proposed letter, Ishould have suggested that much stress should have been laid upon theeffect the downfall of Turkey would have upon affairs in France. 

Polignac seems confident he can stand. He thinks he has the Chambers. TheFrench behave ill in the settlement of the Greek business, and objectaltogether to our man, Prince Philip of Hesse Homburg. They equally objectto Prince Frederick of Orange, and to Prince Leopold, whom Russia wouldhave had willingly. I wonder Aberdeen did not laugh when he was proposed. They want to settle the thing without a Prince. I suppose they want aFrenchman. 

Aberdeen is for settling Greece as a Power into whose lap the broken partsof Turkey may fall. He gives up Euboea. That is, the surrender of Euboea isto be proposed to the Porte, with a frontier limited in other respects, instead of the protocol of March 22. 

The Turks who have left the Morea have no indemnity. The Turks who are inthe other parts of the new Greece remain. It is altogether a wonderfulbusiness. These anti-revolutionary States combining to revolutionise arebellious province of an unoffending ally!

_November 11. _

It seems the French do not like the idea of giving to the Turks the optionof an independent State with smaller limits, or of a State underSuzeraineté with extended limits, contrary to the treaty, and sending atthe same time secret instructions to the Ambassadors to insist upon the_entire_ independence of the new Greek State. The French seem likewise tohave been offended at the protocol having been settled between Russia andus, before they were called in to give their opinion. No wonder. Certainlyour diplomacy has not succeeded. We have failed in all our objects. 

_November 13. _

Cabinet. I was first called upon to say my say upon the general Indianquestion. I observed that the present prospective deficiency was onemillion a year. That until we could ascertain whether that deficiency couldbe diminished or done away with we were really not ourselves prepared tocome to a decision upon the future government of India; nor wouldParliament endure that the China trade should be closed upon the countryfor twenty years more without first inquiring whether it was necessary. Thefirst question was, 'Can we make such a reduction of expenditure, or effectsuch an increase in income as to enable the Government of India to go onwithout any assistance direct or indirect from England?' If it can, then wehave the China trade in our hands. If it cannot, we have to decide whetherthe necessary assistance shall be found by means of a continuance of themonopoly or in some other manner. 

I stated the increase of two millions in six years in the civil charges ofBengal; that the Court had issued the strongest instructions, and the localGovernment seemed to have a real intention to curtail expenditure. That Ihad done something, and should do all I could, investigating every item. Peel suggested a commission. I said that had occurred to me last year. TheDuke, however, objected to a commission as really superseding the Governor-General and being the Government. Another objection certainly is the delay. Difficulties would be thrown in its way, and we should at last be obligedto decide without its final report, having thrown away our time here inwaiting for it. 

I mentioned that the character of the local Government was 'disrespect anddisobedience. ' That nothing but a long continuance of strict rule couldbring India into real subjection. It was this disobedience which was thechief source of increased expenditure. It arose in a great measure from theunequal hand which had been held over them--the indulgence of the Court ofDirectors--and the great delays in the communication with India arising outof the system of correspondence. I had endeavoured to remedy that, andhoped to get an answer to letters within the year. It was now two years anda half. I had likewise endeavoured to make arrangements for steamcommunication by the Red Sea. I hoped to be able to send a letter to Bombayin sixty days. 

The Cabinet seemed generally to acquiesce in the expediency of only havinga Committee this year. 

At first they all seemed to think the continuance of the government in theCompany a matter of course. I told them that even with the China trade theGovernment could not now go on without great reductions of expenditure, andthat I hoped the Cabinet would not come to a hasty decision upon a questioninvolving so many important political and financial considerations. Thepresent system was not one of great expense, but it was one involving greatdelay--and delay was expense, and not only expense but abandonment ofauthority. It was in this point of view that I hoped the Cabinet would lookat the question when it came before them. 

I mean to go quietly to work; but I mean, if I can, to substitute theKing's government for that of the Company. [Footnote: This was not carriedout till 1858, after the great mutiny. ] I am sure that in doing so I shallconfer a great benefit upon India and effect the measure which is mostlikely to retain for England the possession of India. 

We afterwards spoke of the Batta question. I read Lord Wellesley's letter, and stated the opinions of Sir J. Malcolm, Sir Archibald Campbell, and SirJ. Nicholls. 

I stated that it seemed the feeling in the army was excited more by theapprehension of further reductions than by the establishment of the half-Batta stations; that if concessions were made to the Bengal army, the otherarmies would be discontented and further demands would be made. 

The Duke said, as a soldier, and having been in India at the time, he mustsay he thought the orders of 1828 [Footnote: Orders issued by Lord WilliamBentinck, abolishing full batta or the larger scale of allowances to themilitary at stations where half-batta only had been recognised, before theAct of the Bengal Government allowing full batta in consideration ofofficers providing themselves with quarters. --See Thornton's _BritishIndia_, pp. 221-25. ] a breach of faith--but these having been issued, hethought we must stand to them. The general opinion was that as nothingcould be said or done till the arrival of despatches, there could be nonecessity for deciding. 

I mentioned my Supreme Court Bill, which will be ready immediately. 

I hope to save--ultimately 60, 000 pounds a year in the Supreme Courts. 

 £ £1, 000 on each Judge. . . . . 9, 000 1 Judge at Calcutta. . . . . . 5, 000 1 Judge at M. And B. . . . . . 8, 000 Recorder's Court. . . . . . . . . 8, 000 Fees at Calcutta. . . . . . . . 30, 000 ------ £60, 000

Ireland is put off till Monday, that we may all read the papers. We dinewith the Duke to-morrow. 

The French oppose all the people we name for the Greek coronet. They havenamed Prince Charles of Bavaria, and the second son of the King of Bavariawith a regency till he is of age! However, this folly they did not press. 

We first named Prince Philip of Hesse Homburg, whom the French would nothear of. Then Leopold! They did not like him. Prince Emilius of HesseDarmstadt was thought of. The French have suggested Prince John of Saxony, second son of the King, a fine young man, about 28, but unknown. His elderbrother too may soon succeed to the throne, and he has no children. Otherwise there is no objection to this Prince. 

It seems to me they are running after trifles. Russia adheres to us as tothe Prince, or rather remains neutral, thinking I have no doubt that Franceand England will quarrel about the feather. 

The secret instruction which it was proposed to give to the Ambassadors isnow abandoned, France having objected. They were to have been ordered to_insist_ upon Turkey taking one of two things of which she was to haveostensibly the pure option. Now they are only clearly to intimate their_wish_. However, it seems Russia will take a million of ducats less ifTurkey will make Greece independent. That is, she will give up a claim towhat she cannot get in order to effect that she has no right to ask. 

The French Government have, by giving new rates of pension, got 1, 600 oldofficers out of the army, and filled important stations with friends oftheir own. They think they shall stand. 

I forgot to mention the Archduke Maximilian of Modena as one of the personstalked of for Greece. It seems uncertain whether any one of these Princeswould take the coronet. 

_November 14, Saturday. _

Cabinet room. Rosslyn and afterwards Lord Bathurst there. Read the Irishpapers, that is, Lord Francis Leveson's private letters to Peel and Peel'sto him, with a letter from Peel to Leslie Foster, asking his opinion as toeducation and Maynooth, and Foster's reply. The latter is important. Hethinks the political and religious hostility of the two parties issubsiding. The chiefs alone keep it up. The adherents are gradually fallingoff. To open the questions of education, &c. , now, would be to open closingwounds, nor would anything be accomplished. The priests would resisteverything proposed, and the Protestants would not be satisfied. TheKildare Street Society, however defective, does a great deal of good, morethan could be expected from any new system we could carry at this moment. 

As to Maynooth, to withdraw the grant would not diminish the funds, whileit would increase the bad feeling. 

The increased prevalence of outrage, arising more from a disorganised stateof society than from politics or religion, and the _assassination_ plan, must be met by an extensive police, directed by stipendiary magistrates;and the expense of this police, and the indemnity to sufferers must be paidby the barony in which the outrage takes place. 

All Peel's letters are very sensible. Lord Francis Leveson's are in an oddstyle, rather affected occasionally, and his ideas are almost always suchas require to be overruled. He is a forward boy; but I see nothing of thestatesman in him. We ought to have had Hardinge there. 

Dined at the Duke's. A man of the name of Ashe is writing letters to theDuke of Cumberland threatening his life if he does not give up a book inMS. 

This book of Ashe's is a romance detailing all sorts of scandals of theRoyal Family, and of horrors of the Duke of Cumberland. The book isactually in the possession of the Duke of Wellington. 

The King's violence, when there was an idea of Denman's [Footnote: The Kingalways resented an offensive quotation of Denman's as counsel during theQueen's trial. ] appearing for the Recorder, was greater, the Duke says, than what he showed during the Catholic question. 

Lady Conyngham has been and is very ill. There is no idea of the Courtgoing to Brighton. 

_November 16. _

Cabinet. France, Austria, and England to ask Don Pedro distinctly what hemeans to do. We certainly cannot go on as we are with Portugal for ever. Aberdeen fears France may acknowledge Miguel first, and thus take our placewith Portugal. 

The Duke says if we can keep Spain on good terms with Portugal, and withourselves, the connection of France and Portugal does not signify, and weare much better off than with Portugal against Spain and France. This istrue. 

A long talk about Ashe, who has written a libel on the Duke of Cumberland, which the Duke gave to the Duke of Wellington. Ashe wants it back, andthreatens if he has it not returned to him; but in a letter, and in suchterms that the Attorney-General does not think him liable to prosecution. He might be held to bail, perhaps, but that would bring out the case. Itwas decided to do nothing, but to take precautions against his doingmischief. The Duke of Cumberland has been cautioned. 

The Insurrection Act seems to be popular with Fitzgerald. Peel says it isbad in principle, and has the effect of placing the higher classes inhostility against the lower. The decision seemed to be to have a powerfulpolice--stipendiary magistrates--frequent trials--constables appointed byGovernment--counties paying for additional police. 

Peel suggests the division of Ireland into smaller districts, and theacquiring a personal knowledge of individuals, and making the districtsresponsible. 

I believe the country is too populous, and the population too wicked, forthis plan to succeed. 

The murderers will be brought in from a distance. 

The state of demoralisation in which the country is is dreadful. Murdersare held to be of no account. 

_November 17. _

Read, as I came down to Worthing, Colonel McDonald's last despatches, andhis private letter, which I received last night. Sent them to the Duke, andasked whether under the circumstances we should let Abbas Murza have somethousand stand of arms, Colonel McDonald doing his best to secure ultimaterepayment. 

The Persian cavalry raised by the Russians in their newly conqueredterritories seem to have fought as well as any troops in their service. Colonel McDonald says it is from a disciplined Persian army alone, commanded by Russian officers, that he dreads the invasion of India. AEuropean force would be wasted by the climate. The Pasha of Suleimania hadtoo European a taste, and wanted to make regular soldiers without pay orclothing. So his soldiers turned him out, and made his brother Pacha. 

Colonel McDonald describes all that side of Turkey as going _au devant duconquérant_. Such has been the wretchedness of their government. 

_Worthing, November 18, 1829. _

At 11 P. M. Received a letter from the Duke of Wellington by a messenger, telling me he regretted I had not met Lord Melville and him before theCabinet, and proposing, as he and Lord Melville both wished to go out oftown on Friday, that I should meet them either to-morrow, after 2, or onFriday morning. 

I wrote to say I would be with him at 3 to-morrow. 

_November 19. _

Met the Duke and Lord Melville. 

After conversation on topics connected with the subject we came to thepoint, which was that the Duke wished both to preserve the monopoly and theCompany as administrators of Indian affairs. 

The Duke is much swayed by early recollections. He is besides very desirousof having the City of London in his hands. 

I admitted that the great and solid objection to placing the government ofIndia directly in the hands of the Crown was the consequent increase ofParliamentary business, already too extensive to be well performed. 

As to the China trade, if the Government of India can be conducted withoutthe assistance derived from it, I saw no reason for its continuance; but Ihad rather continue the monopoly than lose the Company as a trading Companyto China, for I thought the trade might be greatly endangered were theircommerce to cease. I said that the continuance of the system of carrying onthe government through the instrumentality of the Company was notinconsistent with giving to it the efficiency, the vigour, and the celerityof the King's Government. 

Lord Melville admitted the cumbrousness of the present system. 

The Duke seemed to have no objection to alterations in details, providedthe principle were adhered to. 

Both to-day and in the Cabinet on Friday last I was surprised by LordMelville's inertness. 

The Duke wishes Leach's paper to be 'the case to be proved. ' This may bedone, and yet the necessary improvements introduced. 

Met Seymour, who had been with the Duke. He is just come from Berlin. Heseemed to say that the great success of the war was wholly unexpected bythe Emperor. 

_November 20. _

Wrote to Hylton Jolliffe to beg he would turn his attention to the subjectof steam navigation to India by the Red Sea, as a private speculation. 

_November 21. _

Read a letter from Sir G. Murray. It seems the Duke, Lord Melville, and SirGeorge are to meet soon to consider whether some alteration should not bemade in the rules of the Order of the Bath. I suggested that it might be animprovement to make civilians eligible to the lower grades of the Order. Itmight occasionally be very convenient to make a man a K. C. B. For civilservice. 

_Sunday, November 22. _

Told Bankes what the Duke wished respecting the Charter; but I likewisetold him it had not yet been so determined in Cabinet, and that there wasno objection to our making the Government more rapid and vigorous, and lesslike the Tullietudlem coach. I desired him to consider this _confidential_to himself and the Commissioners. 

_November 25. _

Received a note from Bankes announcing that the Duke had accepted hisretirement from the office of secretary, and had consented to make him anextra commissioner. 

This has long been an idea of Bankes's, of which I never could see rationalground. Indeed, he seems to acknowledge it is not his own idea, but that ofothers, that on his return to the Government he should not have returned tothe same office. In fact it is the influence of the Duke of Cumberland, andit is evident from the endeavour to detach Bankes from the Government nowthat the Brunswickers still have hopes. It is like giving notice to Lot andhis family before the fall of fire and brimstone. 

Bankes's letter is full of kind and grateful expressions towards me. Indeed, we have always been on very friendly and confidential terms. I haveexpressed my regret at his resolution. I told him I think he acts uponmistaken views, and I assure him that in whatever position he may standtowards the Board, it will afford me much pleasure and advantage to remainon the same terms with him. 

The Duke will be angry, and I do not think Bankes will soon get an officeagain. 

_December 2. _

Read for an hour at the Cabinet room. There is a curious account of aconversation between De Rigny and an Austrian friend at Smyrna. De Rignythinks very ill of the Government, and of the state of France. He too wantsthe Rhine! He judges truly enough of the results of the treaty. 'England, Austria, and France will talk, but nothing will be done. ' He says Russiawas very foolish not to go on. She might have dared anything. However, thearmy seems to have suffered severely. They acknowledge the loss of 130, 000men in the two campaigns. 

Diebitch has partly evacuated Adrianople, leaving there, however, 6, 000sick and a battalion. The plague spreads in the Principalities, and they donot know how to get the troops out of Turkey. 

Zuylen de Neyvelt and others give a very bad account of the state ofConstantinople. They say the Turkish Empire _cannot_ hold together. 

I do not like Lord Stuart's account of the state of the French Ministry. They will bring in Villele, who is an able man, and he may save them; buttheirs is a desperate game. 

The French seem to be disposed to go along with us in negotiating with theEmperor of Brazil [Footnote: _i. E. _ with the Emperor Don Pedro, father ofthe ultimately successful candidate for the Portuguese throne, Donna Mariade Gloria. ] for the recognition of Miguel. There would be a stipulation foramnesty, &c. 

_December 3. _

The Chairs talked of Lord William Bentinck. They are very much out ofhumour with him and heartily wish he was at home. He has neither writtenprivately nor publicly, except upon trifling matters, for five months. Hehas declared his opinion in favour of colonisation. He is very unpopular. On the subject of Sir W. Rumbold he and Sir Ch. Metcalfe are very hostile, taking extreme views on the different sides. This hostility upon onesubject will lead to difference upon others. The Government is notrespected--and certainly there has been no moment when it was of moreimportance that the head of the Government should be respected than when itis necessary to effect a great economical reform. They describe the feelingat Madras as being still worse. There they did not think the governor an_honest man_. 

The Chairs expect a letter from Macdonald to the Secret Committee withcopies of his last despatches which I have already received throughPetersburg, so they are unwilling to accept a communication of them fromme. The letter, permitting Abbas Murza to purchase 12, 000 stand of arms andto pay for them by instalments, will therefore go without any reference tothe last despatches received. 

Saw Aberdeen. He agrees with me in feeling much apprehension on the stateof France as well as of Turkey. He seems, however, to think more of thestate of parties here, and does not like the looks of the Duke ofCumberland (who was nearly dying last week) and of the King. It seems theKing, although very well satisfied with measures of a public nature, isannoyed at not carrying some small jobs. 

There was a great party at Woburn lately, and the world of course say thereis an approximation to the Grey party. Aberdeen thinks the Woburn partyshowed good wishes, and Lord Grey, it is said, does not mean to come up totown. However, he is said to think he has been slighted, whereas the Dukeof Wellington _cannot_ do anything for him in the hostile state of theKing's mind. 

I told Aberdeen confidentially of Bankes's going out, which is anindication, no doubt, of continued hostility on the part of the Duke ofCumberland. 

Saw Hardinge. Talked on various public subjects, and then told him of theprobability that in three months Lord W. Bentinck would be recalled. Iasked him whether he could be induced to go as Governor-General. Herejected the idea at first as unsuited to his rank in the army. I said wecould make him Captain-General. He seemed to think it was a great field fora man who wished to obtain great fame, and if he was unmarried he would notbe disinclined to go, but I should think domestic considerations wouldprevent him. I wish we had him as secretary in Ireland, but he is wanted_everywhere_. He is so useful. He would be _most useful_ in Ireland. 

Saw the Duke. I told him what the Chairs had said. He said he alwaysthought Lord William would not succeed. Who could we get to replace him? Hehad always thought it did not signify as long as we had _one_ man in India;but we must have _one_. I told him that, seeing the difficulty ofselection, I had thought it right to tell him what was likely to happen. Ishould not be much surprised if he thought of Lord Tweddale, whom hethought of for Ireland. I do not know him at all. 

_December 6. _

Read Sir W. Rumbold's letters, and the minutes in Council on the Hyderabadcase. Sir W. Is a cunning, clever man. Sir Ch. Metcalfe shows too muchprejudice against Sir W. Rumbold; but he was at Hyderabad at the time, andhe may be right. I suspect it was a disgraceful business. 

_December 9. _

Loch has got a cadetship for me. Colonel Baillie lends it. He postpones anomination till next year in order to oblige me. I have thanked Loch, andbegged him to thank Colonel Baillie. 

Wrote to Lady Belfast to tell her Mr. Verner had his cadetship. Begged herto make his family and friends understand thoroughly that this was aprivate favour I had led her to expect long before the discussion of theCatholic question. 

Wrote to Lord Hertford and enclosed an extract from my letter to LadyBelfast. 

Read a letter from Sir J. Malcolm, who is again troubled by Sir J. P. Grant. He enclosed a letter of his upon the subject to Lord W. Bentinck. The concluding paragraph of this letter refers to a letter from LordWilliam of June 18, at which time the spirit of the Bengal army continuedbad. 

Read a letter from Jones, who will set himself to work about the navigationof the Indus. He says a Mr. Walter Hamilton speaks of the river beingnavigable for vessels of 200 tons to Lahore, and that from Lahore to themouth of the river, 700 miles, is only a voyage of twelve days. And noBritish flag has ever floated upon the waters of this river! Please God itshall, and in triumph, to the source of all its tributary streams. 

_December 11. _

Read a letter from Lord Bathurst respecting the recall of Sir J. P. Grant. He had imagined I had said he had resigned. He seems surprised I shouldhave supposed it possible a judge should be recalled without a formalmeeting of the Privy Council. I reminded him of Sir T. Claridge's case, nothalf so strong as that of Sir J. P. Grant. 

_December 12. _

Read Fraser's travels. 

_December 13. _

A letter from Sir J. Malcolm, by which it seems that my letter to him ofFebruary 21 has been copied and become public: much to his annoyance. [Footnote: This was the letter with the expression about a wild elephantbetween two tame ones which afterwards attracted so much criticism. It wasintended as a private letter to Sir J. Malcolm, but by a mistake of one ofhis secretaries was copied as an official communication. ]

He sends me his letter to Lord W. Bentinck upon the subject. It seems bythis letter, which adverts to other topics, that the spirit in Bengal isvery bad--that Lord W. Has hitherto done nothing to check it, and that withthe press in his power he has allowed it to be more licentious than it everwas before. 

_December 14. _

Found at Roehampton a letter from the Duke enclosing one addressed by Mrs. Hastings to the King, applying for a pension. The King recommends it to theconsideration of the Court of Directors. I doubt the Court venturing topropose any pension to the Court of Proprietors. 

I had another letter from the Duke enclosing a letter to him from Sir J. Malcolm and a copy of Sir J. Malcolm's letter to Lord W. Bentinck, respecting the unauthorised publication of my private letter--the same Ireceived yesterday. Sir J. Malcolm speaks of an intended deputation fromthe Bengal army to England, which Lord William was determined not to allow;but Sir J. Malcolm seems to think that Lord William by his conduct at firstbrought on much of what has taken place. He has relaxed the reins ofGovernment too much. I am satisfied that, without a change of form andname, it will be very difficult to regain the strength the Government haslost in India. 

I shall see the Duke if I can to-morrow and suggest the appointment of SirJ. Malcolm as provisional successor to Lord William. Sir J. Malcolm'ssentiments are known, and his nomination would show the feeling of theGovernment here. It would be a hint to Lord William that we could replacehim at once and make him do his duty. It would, in the event of anythinghappening to Lord William, guard against the mischiefs of an interregnum, which is always a time of weakness and of job. 

_December 15. _

The Duke gone to the Deepdene. Wrote to him to say I would not fail tobring the question of Mrs. Hastings's pension before the Chairs; but Ienclosed a memorandum showing all that had been done for old Hastings, andreminded the Duke that the Court could not grant above 200£ a year withoutthe sanction of two Courts of Proprietors. 

Cabinet room. Lord Heytesbury seems to have shown Nesselrode the protocolabout November 25. The Count was greatly agitated, and put himself into afurious passion. Asked the use of it? Perhaps it would be difficult to say. Supposed it was intended for Parliament--which is very true. Said it wouldlead to a reply we should not like--create a paper war, prevent the twoCourts from remaining upon the friendly terms he had hoped werere-established. The more angry he is, the more right I think we mustfeel we were to send it. 

There is a good paper of Aberdeen's to Sir R. Gordon, in which he considersthe Turkish Empire as falling, and our interest as being to raise Greece, that that State may be the heir of the Ottoman Power. With this view heconsiders it to be of primary importance that the Government of new Greeceshould not be revolutionary, and the Prince a good one. 

There is another good paper defending England against an accusation ofMetternich that we should have spoken in a firmer tone to Russia at anearlier period. The King seems much taken with these papers, and writesgreat encomiums upon them. 

By Lord Stuart's account it appears probable that Villele will come in. TheGovernment mean to avoid all questions upon which it is possible to have adifference of opinion, and to bring forward only measures of clear andundeniable utility. They think that, if their opponents should endeavour tothrow out these measures, the Chambers will support Government. 

France coincides with us entirely as to the Portuguese question; butwishes, and she is right, that questions more specific had been put to theEmperor Pedro. The intention seems to be to acknowledge Miguel onconditions, when Pedro admits he can do nothing. 

_December 16. _

Read Lord Ashley's memorandum on the judicial administration of India. Iwrote a note on returning it in which I said he seemed to have taken greatpains to collect the opinions which had been given by different personsupon the subject. Mine had been expressed by me in a letter to Sir J. Malcolm on August 7, in which I declared my general concurrence in theviews entertained by him and intimated by him in his minute, giving anaccount of his tour in the southern Mahratta country. I had added that Iwas satisfied the more we could avail ourselves of the services of thenatives in the fiscal and judicial administration the better, and that allgood government must rest upon the village system. I told Sir J. Malcolm Ihad come to my office without any preconceived opinions, that I had keptout of the way of prejudiced men, and had allowed opinions to formthemselves gradually in my own mind as I acquired more knowledge from puresources. I could not, if I had written this passage on purpose, have hadone more suited to my purpose. It showed Ashley I was not _prejudiced_, that my opinions were formed before I read his memorandum, and that I hadformed them by abstaining from the course he has pursued--for he allows allsorts of persons to come and talk to him, and to inoculate him with theirnotions. 

I afterwards said that he would see by Sir Thomas Munro's memorandum ofDecember 31, 1824, that he thought we had succeeded better in the judicialthan in the fiscal administration of India, and in the criminal better thanin the civil branch of the judicial government. This I said to show I hadread Sir T. Munro's memorandum, which he did not give me credit for havingdone; and that it was not so much to the judicial as to the revenue branchthat he should have directed his attention, with a view to improvements--the field being greater. 

I then said I did not doubt that there were capable natives to be found, but I did doubt that they would be selected, for that the European servantshad disappointed me. The natives were better than I expected, &c. , &c. 

Saw the Duke. Suggested to him Sir J. Malcolm's being made provisionalsuccessor to Lord W. Bentinck for the reasons I have mentioned. He thoughtwell of the suggestion; but said we must consider it, and mention it inCabinet, as Lord William was a great card, and we must not do anything tooffend unnecessarily him and his connection. The objection occurred to himthat had occurred to me, that Sir J. Malcolm would die if he went toCalcutta. I hope he would not go there, that he would remain in the upperprovinces. But I look to the effect of the nomination upon the conduct ofpeople in India, and that of Lord William himself, more than to his actualsuccession. 

The Duke then said we must look not to India only, but to all Asia, andasked me if I had read Evans's book. I told him I had; that in forty-eighthours after I read it I had sent a copy to Macdonald and another toMalcolm. I told him all the views I had with regard to the navigation ofthe Indus and the opening of a trade with Cabul and Bokhara. He said ourminds appeared to have been travelling the same way. We must have goodinformation of what the Russians might be doing there. I reminded him I haddesired the Government a year ago to obtain information as to all thecountries between the Caspian and the Indus, and I intended now to give amore particular direction. He said Macdonald should have his eye upon theCaspian, and information as to those countries would be best obtainedthrough natives. I reminded him that that had been the suggestion in myletter of last year. The Duke's opinion is that it is a question of_expense only_. That if the Russians got 20, 000 or 30, 000 men into Cabul wecould beat them; but that by hanging upon us there they could put us to anenormous expense in military preparation, and in quelling insurrections. They could not move in that direction without views hostile to us, and bythreatening us there they would think to embarrass us in Europe. I proposedthat in the event of the Russians moving in that direction we should permitthe Government of India to act as an Asiatic Power. By money at least, heallowed, without further orders, not to move in advance withoutinstructions. But the Duke is ready to take up the question here in Europe, if the Russians move towards India with views of evident hostility. 

He approves of a message going at once with orders to Macdonald. 

_December 18. _

Chairs. They will consider favourably Mrs. Hastings's case; but she mustaddress her representation to them. 

I told them of my suggestion of making Malcolm provisional successor toLord William, and the reasons for it. They seemed to like the idea; but thesame objection occurred to them which had occurred to the Duke and to me--that if Malcolm went to Calcutta he would die. I said I did not want him togo. I did not look to his going. I looked to the moral effect of theappointment upon Lord William and upon all their servants in India. Theywant to get some political man of high rank and talents and determinedcharacter to go. They are heartily sick of Lord William. Whom they want tosend I do not know. 

I told them of my conversation with the Duke and went over the same ground. They acquiesced in all I said. We shall have the missions to Scinde and toLahore, and the commercial venture up the Indus, and the instruction toMacdonald. In short, all I want. 

Despatches are at hand from Lord William, dated May 1, in triplicate, andwithout the minutes which are referred to as containing the sentiments ofthe Government. These despatches merely refer the subject to theconsideration of the Court. 

One Jones, it seems, has written almost all the memorials, and isconsidered a rebel more than a Radical. 

We had a little conversation respecting the future Government of India. Itold them it must be a strong Government, and I doubted whether in itspresent form it could secure obedience in India. It required more ofappearance. They seemed to feel that. Astell acknowledged there was nothingimposing in the name of 'the Company, ' and that the present Government wasfallen into contempt. 

I told them I was satisfied that the patronage and the appeals shouldalways remain where they were. I paid them a high compliment, which theyjustly deserve, upon the fairness of their conduct in deciding upon theclaims of their servants. 

They feel their Government is weak in its last year; but that the Ministerscould not do otherwise than have a committee. 

_December 18. _

Wrote a letter to the Duke, which he may send to the King, stating theresult of my communication to the Chairs respecting Mrs. Hastings. 

Requested information as to the trade of the Caspian, that carried on bythe caravans to Bokhara, and the general condition of that country, desiring likewise that means might be taken to keep us constantly informedof any movements made by the Russians towards the Sea of Aral, and of anyattempt to make establishments on the east coast of the Caspian. 

Wrote to the Duke to tell him what was done and how entirely the Chairsentered into his views. 

_December 19. _

Wrote to Loch to suggest that he should send Meyendorff's and Mouravief'sbooks to Macdonald. 

Read a clever pamphlet on the China trade, and in coming down to Worthingall the papers Hardinge sent me relative to the new pension regulations. 

_December 20. _

Read Meyendorff's 'Tour in Bokhara. ' It contains all the information I wantas to the commerce between Bokhara and Russia. We can easily supply Bokharawith many things the Russians now furnish, and with all Indian goodscheaper by the Indus than the Ganges; but what the Bokharians are to sendus in return I do not well see, except turquoises, lapis lazuli, and theducats they receive from Russia. We may get shawls cheaper by navigatingthe Indus. 

_December 21. _

Read the memorandum the Chairs gave me respecting the application of steamnavigation to the internal and external communications of India. It hasbeen prepared carefully and ably, and is very interesting. It suggests thenavigation of the Euphrates to Balis or Bir by steam, and thence thepassage by Aleppo to Latakia or Scanderoon. It likewise suggests that itmight be more expeditious to cross the desert from Suez to Lake Menzaleh, or direct to the sea. 

_December 22. _

Wrote to Lord Hill, telling him of Sir G. Walker's dangerous illness, andintimating the importance, under the present circumstances of Madras, ofhaving not only a good soldier as Commander-in-Chief, but a man possessedof good civil qualities. 

Sent a copy of this letter to the Duke. 

_December 25. _

Read a memorandum of Jones on the last mission to Lahore, and a very longsecret despatch in 1811 upon the subject of Runjeet Singh's attempt toestablish himself on the left bank of the Sutlege, and his retreat inconsequence of remonstrances and military demonstration on the part of theBritish Government. 

_December 26. _

Called by appointment on Lady Macdonald, who came here to speak to me aboutSir J. Macdonald's salary and position at Tabriz. She says that after theletter he wrote, representing the inexpediency of Sir H. Willock'sremaining as his first assistant and the non-existence of any necessity fortwo assistants, if the Bengal Government do not recall Willock Sir J. Macdonald cannot remain. She has likewise a good deal to say respecting thesalary. I think 9, 000£ a year a proper salary. The Ambassador atConstantinople has 8, 000£ and a house; but Constantinople is on the sea, and the charge of bringing European goods to Tabriz through Russia is soconsiderable that 1, 000£ a year ought to be added for the charge. 

_December 29. _

Received three letters from Lord W. Bentinck, of July 6 and 8 and August 2. In that of the 6th he speaks of my private letter to Sir J. Malcolm, published in the 'Calcutta Newspaper. ' In that of the 8th he sends it tome, the names being altered, and all between brackets being interpolated, and in fact in the light of comment. In that of August 2 he speaks of thetemper of the army, &c. , and all public subjects. I have sent the threeletters to the Duke. 

I was glad to have my letter. I can defend every word in it. It containsthe simile of the elephants, which I am sorry for, as I fear thosedescribed _as tame_ may be foolish enough to endeavour to show they are notso by affecting a degree of vivacity beyond their nature; but still I candefend it. 

Lord William describes his position as not agreeable, having to effect theodious work of reduction. [Footnote: Besides the burning question of 'Half-Batta, ' Lord W. Bentinck's administration was regarded as hostile in spiritto that of his predecessors, and so disliked by those who had served underthem, especially by the military. ] He says that in India no man thinks ofanything but MONEY, that the local government has incurred great odium bycarrying into effect the orders of the home authorities. He recommends SirCharles Metcalfe as a man standing by Malcolm's side, and fit for thegovernment of Bombay. I a little fear Sir Charles Metcalfe. He is rathertoo vehement. I doubt whether he would be a safe man. I am quite sureCourtney would be a very unfit man. The Governor of Bombay ought to be anIndian, but who is there?

Lord William represents the Burmese Government as a barbarian Government. He says they have sacrificed all who assisted us, and that the difficultyin retroceding the Tenasserim provinces would be to know what to do withthe 35, 000 people who have sought our protection. 

This report makes the wisdom of our recent policy yet clearer than itappeared before. 

_December 31. _

Read twenty papers on the opium treaties and management in Central India. The Supreme Government have decided upon no longer limiting the extent ofcultivation in Malwa, and upon permitting the free transit of the drug. This was expedient because undoubtedly our restrictions led to the mosthostile feelings on the part both of princes and people, to the injury ofthe traders, to violent and offensive interference on our part in theinternal policy of foreign States, and to smuggling protected by largebodies of armed men. The smugglers would soon have been Pindarries. Thissystem began only in 1825. It was forced upon the small States, and notupon that of Gwalior, so that smuggling defeated the object. 

_January 2, 1830. _

Received from the Duke a note to say the publication of my private letterto Sir J. Malcolm did not signify one pin's head, and it _will have_ donegood in India. 

Wrote a long letter to Lord William Bentinck. I pressed upon him thenecessity of making the home and the local authorities draw together. Itold him he was suffering not for his obedience but for the disobedience ofhis predecessors. Assured him of support, lamented the _ungentlemanlike_tone of society evidenced by the insult of the commanding officers to him, and by the publication of my private letter. I spoke in high terms ofLieut. W. Hislop's report on the opium arrangements (which on reflection Ithought better than writing a letter to him), and I likewise spoke highlyof Mr. Scott, the Commissioner in Assam. Acknowledged the Government couldnot have done otherwise than give up the opium treaties; but foretold alarge falling off in the opium revenue from over-cultivation in Malwa. 

_January 3. _

A letter from Clare on East Indian matters which I answered at length. SentPrendergast's pamphlet to Jones. 

Read reports on the Delhi and Firuz Shah's canal, by which it appears myplan of joining the Sutlege and Jumna is not visionary. It has been done. The canal can still be traced. Delhi seems in distant times to have beenlike Milan, in the midst of canals. The grand canal sent a branch throughthe palace. The water has been again turned in the same channel. When thewater flowed into Delhi on the opening of the canal on May 30, 1820, thepeople went out to meet it and threw flowers into the stream. In thosecountries nothing can be done without water, and with water, and such asun, anything. 

_January 4, 1830. _

Head Eraser's journey and finished it. It is very interesting, and showshow completely the Persian monarchy is falling to pieces. 

_January 5. _

Saw Wrangham. There is no news. The affairs of the Netherlands, he says, look rather better, and Polignac is very stout and says he is very strong. It seems great complaints are made of Lord Stuart, who gives littleinformation, and what little he does give is incorrect. 

_January 6. _

Vesey Fitzgerald will certainly not be able to attend the House this year. His physicians say he would die in five minutes if he got up to speak. Iheard G. Dawson tell the Duke to-day. I rather suspect G. Dawson would likeVesey's place. 

The Duke has been much occupied with the Greek question. I have not yetread any papers at the Foreign Office. He spoke to me of Bankes's goingout, which he regretted. 

He had had some conversation last year at Belvoir with Lord Graham uponIndian affairs, and had been quite surprised to find how much he knew. Hehad thought he only knew how to comb his hair. The Duke thinks of HoraceTwiss for secretary. He had thought of Mr. Wortley, Lord Wharncliffe's son, a very clever young man, but he wanted a _made_ man, not one to learn. Ishall suggest Ashley's taking Horace Twiss's place, and Lord Graham beingFirst Commissioner. This will force him to come forward. Then Wortley mightbe Second Commissioner. Horace Twiss is a clever man, but rather vulgar. However, he is a lawyer and a very good speaker, and will do very well. 

_January 7. _

I told the Chairs my views as to an alteration in the Supreme Court Bill. They seemed to approve if the thing could be done. I had afterwards someconversation with the Chancellor upon this subject. He admitted the forceof my reasoning, but desired to have a memorandum about it, which indeedwill be convenient to me as well as to him. It should state all the newcircumstances since the establishment of the Supreme Court which render itsexistence less necessary than it was, and more inapplicable than ever tothe condition of India. 

At the Duke's dinner I told the Duke and Rosslyn the substance of LordWilliam's letters. The Duke said the act [Footnote: In combining to opposethe Half-Batta orders. See Thornton's _British India_, vol. V. ] of theofficers was mutiny. 

The King is ill. He has lost a good deal of blood. 

_January 8. _

The King quite well again. In the morning began and nearly finished amemorandum on the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court for the Chancellor. 

Cabinet at 2. Conversation respecting the abolition of the Welshjudgeships, and the addition of a judge to the Courts of King's Bench andCommon Pleas, or Exchequer. The two new judges would be Circuit Judges ofWales. The Welsh gentlemen seem to be favourable to the change. Theattornies, who are numerous and powerful, very hostile. The Chancellorintroduces again his Bill of last Session. The Equity is to be separatedfrom the Common Law Jurisdiction of the Court of Exchequer. The subject wasonly talked of, and decision deferred till Sunday next. 

We then talked of Ireland. The Grand Jury Presentment Bill is not yetprepared. The plan for a police is to place the nominations in the hands ofthe Lord-Lieutenant. To send stipendiary magistrates when and where theyare wanted. 

Peel's suggestions went much further; but Lord F. Gower seems to me to beonly a clever boy. He has as yet proposed _nothing_ worthy of adoption, andhe has often been near the commission of errors from which he has beensaved only by Peel's advice. 

He wished to establish stipendiary magistrates in every county, the effectof which would have been to disgust all the gentlemen magistrates, and tolead them to the abandonment of their duty. He wished too to unite in allcases the inspectorships of police with the office of stipendiarymagistrate, to avoid collision; but the duties of inspector are of a mereministerial and inferior character, and would not agree well with those ofa magistrate. 

I must read to-morrow all the late protocols and despatches. The Russiansand French have agreed to make Leopold Prince of Greece, but the Kingcannot endure the idea. Aberdeen thinks he has made a great conquest incarrying the point of Leopold's election. I confess I cannot understand thegreat advantage we derive from it. What an extraordinary scene! Thosemonarchical states, the most adverse to revolution, combine to assist therebellion of a people against its sovereign, a rebellion commenced bymurder and continued by treachery, stained with every crime that everdisgraced human nature! [Footnote: The massacres by the Greeks atTripolitza and Athens, the latter in direct breach of a capitulation, had, according to a not unfavourable historian, cast a dark stain on the Greekcause and diminished the interest felt for it in foreign countries. (Alison, _Hist. Europe_, 1815-52, iii. 150. )] They destroy the fleet of anunoffending Power in a time of profound peace in his own port. They thusfacilitate the attack of an enemy, and in the extreme peril of the defeatedsovereign they increase their demands in order to form a substantive Stateout of the ruins of his Empire. They then elect a Prince unknown to thepeople over whom he is to reign, and support him by equal assistance inships and money! Those monarchical states set up a revolutionary governmentand maintain it in coparcenary! It was reserved for these times to witnesssuch contradictions. I do not think any one is very well satisfied withthem but Aberdeen. He is charmed. 

_Sunday, January 10. _

Cabinet. Conversation first as to an intended publication by Mr. Stapletonof a 'Life of Canning, ' in which he means to insert the substance, if notthe copies, of public papers relating to transactions not yet terminated. He has had it intimated to him that he will do so at his peril. He holds anoffice under the Government during pleasure. I said he had no right overprivate letters relating to public subjects which only came to theknowledge of the writer by his official situation. He should be told it wasa high breach of public confidence, and he should be displaced if he wasguilty of it. He will have a hint, but I fear not one sufficiently strong. It is Lady Canning who thinks she can injure the Duke of Wellington, and sopublishes these papers. Stapleton is her editor. She demanded from Aberdeenofficial letters of Canning's, and actually threatened him with a suit inChancery if he did not give them up. The Duke says he has copies of allCanning's letters, and he shall publish if they do. [Footnote: AugustusGranville Stapleton had been private secretary to Canning, and publishedabout 1830-31 _The Political Life of George Canning_, and nearly thirtyyears later, _George Canning and his Times_. The latter work contains muchcorrespondence the publication of which might have been objected to at theearlier date. ]

We had Scarlett and afterwards Bosanquet in upon the Welsh Judicaturequestion. It was at last decided that the Equity Jurisdiction of the Courtsof Great Session should be sent to the Court of Exchequer, that powershould be taken to the King of directing the circuits to be held where hepleased, and that the two new judges of the English Courts should do theduty of the Welsh circuits. The proceedings to be assimilated to those ofthe English Courts. 

The saving by the reduction of the Welsh judges, after allowing for theirpensions, will leave an ample fund for the compensation of the officersreduced. 

I read Lord Stuart de Rothesay's last despatches and Lord Heytesbury's. There seems to me to be great over-confidence in their strength on the partof the French Ministers. I cannot help thinking they will fall. Villelewill have nothing to do with the Government under this House of deputies, which declared his administration _deplorable_. He seems to stipulate fortheir dissolution. 

Halil Pacha takes to Petersburg fine presents for the Emperor and Empress, and other presents he is to distribute 'selon son gré et en son nom' whichare enough to bribe all the ladies in Europe. There is a list of themextending over seven pages. 

It seems to be doubtful whether the French have not been endeavouring toinduce Mehemet Ali to revenge their quarrel with Algiers by marching alongthe whole coast of Africa. The French are much out of humour with theirAlgerine follies, and heartily tired of their expensive gasconade. 

Mehemet Ali does not seem much inclined to send _his_ fleet toConstantinople, although he has honour enough to send the Sultan's. 

The Russians have launched two large ships (120 and 74), and they havebought a double-banked frigate built in the United States. 

_Monday, January 11. _

At the Cabinet room, where I met Sir George Murray; read the lettersrelative to the alterations in the judicial system of Scotland. 

Read a letter from Loch, allowing me to show to the Cabinet Lord William'sletters. He wished them to be read, not shown, or rather not circulated;but it is contrary to all rule, so I left them to-day on the Cabinet table. 

The Duke told me yesterday he felt no concession could now be made, although it was a mighty foolish thing to have had a quarrel about. 

Got home at 5, dressed, and was going to business, when I found a note fromDrummond, desiring me to call on the Duke as soon as I could. I ordered thecarriage and went. Found the Chancellor there. 

It seems there is a great hitch about Prince Leopold's nomination as PrinceSovereign of Greece. The French have now proposed it. We desire it. Russiaacquiesces. We have always declared we did not care who was PrinceSovereign of Greece, but we were resolved never to acknowledge as such aman in whom we had not confidence. Some time ago the King of Prussiaapplied through the Grand Duke of Mecklenburgh to the King for his vote infavour of Prince Charles of Mecklenburgh, the brother of the late Queen ofPrussia and of the Duchess of Cumberland. This application was made throughthe Duke of Cumberland to the King, and the King returned an answer throughthe Duke of Cumberland. What this answer was is not known; but the Kinghaving mentioned the circumstance to Aberdeen, and he to the Duke, Aberdeen, by the Duke's desire, wrote through Sir Brook Taylor to the Kingof Prussia, and civilly put him off. This letter of course the King saw, and approved. The Duchess of Cumberland complains the answer of Aberdeenwas very different from that given through the Duke of Cumberland by theKing, and says it is an _intrigue_. 

The King has been put up to this, and tells Aberdeen he knows his ownground--that the people of England will not bear that 50, 000£ a year shallbe paid by them to the Prince of Greece. He does not care whether Leopoldgoes or no, but he is determined he shall leave his annuity behind him. 

The articles in the 'Standard' and other papers, a few days ago, aresupposed to have had reference to this then intended rupture. Aberdeen goesto the King to-morrow, and the Duke having seen all the Cabinet, Aberdeenwill, if it should be necessary, declare their concurrent opinion. The Dukethinks the King will yield to Aberdeen; to avoid seeing him--if he isobliged to go down, he will declare distinctly to the King that his Majestyhad better name whatever Minister he may wish to give his confidence to;but that to whatever Minister he may choose to have, he ought to give hisconfidence. 

Certainly nothing can have been more scandalous than the King's conduct tothe Duke. He has never given his Government the fair support. Say what theDuke will, he of Cumberland is believed. 

The Duke had a note about the King the other day from Lady Conyngham, written only to tell him the Duke of Cumberland had been four hours withHis Majesty. 

That Prince Leopold will make an efficient King of Greece I do not believe;but he is not likely to be hostile to England. Prince Charles ofMecklenburgh, named by Prussia, would be really Russian, and the tool ofStates not friendly to us. 

Prince Leopold hopes, if he goes to Greece, that Government will purchasethe lands he has bought, for which he has given 40, 000£ or 50, 000£. 

Determined to have my letter respecting the acquisition of information inCentral Asia and the navigation of the Indus sent to the Chairs _to-morrow_, that _it may_ be sent, and be on record as _mine_, in the event ofHis Majesty turning me out the next day, as he will very possibly do. 

_January 12. _

Henry [Footnote: The Honourable H. S, Law, Lord Ellenborough's brother. ]copied for transmission the letter in the Secret Department, and I tookcare it should be sent to the India House in the course of the day, that ifI should be out to-morrow, I may have the credit of having originated ameasure which, if effected, will be of incalculable value. 

Cabinet at 2. Aberdeen was gone to the King at Windsor. It seemed to beexpected he would do nothing, and that the Duke would be obliged to go downto-morrow--the Duke thinks he shall succeed--and no one seems to dread a_turn out_. I am not quite so sure. The mischief is that these _sécousses_make a weak Government. 

I found in the box of drafts the letter to Sir Brook Taylor respecting DukeCharles of Mecklenburgh, which the King says he never saw or sanctioned. Itbears his initials and approval, which have been traced out in ink over hispencil. 

The Duke of Cumberland wants, if it be but for a week, a friendlyadministration that he may get out of the Exchequer 30, 000£ set apart forthe annuity for his son's education, but to which he is not legallyentitled, his son having been educated abroad. It is out of revenge for ahostile cheer, and to get this money, to which Lord Eldon and Lord Wynfordhave told him he has no right, that he is endeavouring to overthrow theGovernment. 

_January 13. _

After I came home read the minutes of the Governor-General and Council onthe college at Calcutta. There is nothing so important as to preserve youngmen, who are to govern an Empire, from idleness, dissipation, and debt. This must be done. The Governor-General's own superintendence may effectmuch. The suspension of the incompetent may do more; but while the habitsof expense are given at Hayleybury, and continued by their residencewithout any control in the midst of a dissipated capital, nothing willreform the system. 

Cabinet dinner at Aberdeen's. He was an hour and a half with the Kingyesterday. The King was much agitated in dressing himself for theinterview. The man who shaved thought he should have cut him twenty times. He had taken 100 drops of laudanum to prepare himself for the interview. 

Aberdeen says it is a _real_ quarrel-not a plot to get rid of us--the Kingthoroughly hates Prince Leopold, and he has been made to think theMinisters have slighted him in this matter. The Duke goes down to him to-morrow. He can show the King that Leopold was first mentioned by France--that he was made acquainted with the proposal or rather suggestion made byFrance to Leopold on November 9, that he was then told we could not hear ofit till our candidates, Prince John of Saxony and Ferdinand of Orange, weredisposed of. The subject was again mentioned on November 24. 

In point of fact the earliest day on which it could have been made known tothe King that France had distinctly proposed Leopold was Monday, and he wastold on the Tuesday. 

The King seems to have been violently agitated. He said sneeringly toAberdeen, '_If I may be allowed to ask, is Prince Leopold to be married toa daughter of the Duke of Orleans?_' [Footnote: This marriage took place inAugust 1832, when Prince Leopold had become King of the Belgians, and theDuke of Orleans King of the French. ] Aberdeen said he had seen it in thenewspaper and knew nothing more of it. The King alluded to the possibilityof Government going out, admitted the inconvenience just before the meetingof Parliament, but said he was immovable. Leopold might go to the devil, but he should not carry English money out of the country. In the morning, talking to the Duchess of Gloucester, he said, 'If they want a Prince of myfamily, they might have had the Duke of Gloucester, ' upon which the Duchessburst out a-laughing. 

The King seems thoroughly out of humour. He says 'Things seem going on veryill in India. Do not you mean to recall Lord William?' He had been madevery angry in the morning by the 'Times' calling upon him to pay hisbrother's debts, and this morning the 'Morning Journal' places injuxtaposition the paragraphs in the 'Times, ' and those for which it waslately prosecuted. 

Lady Conyngham is bored to death, and talks and really thinks of removing. She was to make a grand attack on the King to-day. I suppose she finds theDuchess of Cumberland gaining influence. Her note to the Duke the otherday, to tell him the Duke of Cumberland had been four hours with the King, was intended to put him upon his guard. 

The Duke does not mean to resign to-morrow, but to request, if he shouldnot succeed (which Aberdeen thinks he will not do), that the King willallow the Cabinet to put their opinions in writing-which the King cannotrefuse. We shall then meet on Friday and decide what we shall do. 

The Chancellor took me aside and said it would be a foolish thing to go outabout Leopold. So it would; but if we allow ourselves to be beaten in this, we may be beaten round the whole circle of public questions. 

When the Duke has proved the proposition was not made by us, that it camefrom France, the King will say, 'Well, if you did not think it worth whileto propose him, why should you not reject him? Why adhere to him?'

I feel very indifferent about the result. 

Dr. Seymour, Fitzgerald's physician, represents him as very ill indeed, andin _danger_ if he does any business; but Peel, who saw him to-day, thinksthat much exaggerated. 

_January 14. _

Chairs at 11. I asked them to find out when Rothschild sold out his Indianstock. It seems (by a note I received in the evening) that he began onOctober 15, and at different times sold out 42, 000£ stock. I sent theChairman's note to Goulburn. 

About ten received the promised circular from the Duke. He was an hour anda half with the King, when he was obliged to leave him in consequence ofhis being unwell--and the King afterwards sent to desire he would comeagain on Saturday. 

For the first hour the King was in a state of irritated and contemptuousindignation. However, the Duke thinks he brought him to feel he had nothingto complain of in the conduct of his Government. He finished by gettinginto better temper and a good tone; but the Duke thinks he should havebrought away his assent if he had been with him another hour. The Dukewishes to hear the opinion of the Cabinet upon some points, and we meet attwo to-morrow. 

_January 15. _

The Duke gave the Cabinet an account of his interview with the King. TheKing was with Munster and the Duke of Cumberland when he went; but the Dukewas admitted in about forty minutes, which time he passed with the LadyConyngham, who told him he must expect a storm. 

The King was in bed, looking very ill. He said, 'Well, what is yourbusiness?' and seemed at first most indignant. The Duke, however, correctedhis misapprehensions--showed him the dates, and proved that he had knownfrom the first that it was probable Leopold would be proposed by France. The proposition was made by us to Prince Frederick of Orange on November13, his final answer received on August 11 (there may be a slight error inthese dates, as I write from memory). In the meantime the King of Francehad about November 29, when Leopold took leave of him, told him he wouldpropose him. This was known here immediately, and Leopold distinctly toldhe could not be heard of till our own candidate was disposed of. Theregular proposal of Leopold did not arrive here till January 1, and wascommunicated to the King with the _projet_ of a protocol, for it was nomore, on the 9th. 

It was still only a proposition, and the Government now come to advise theKing to consent to it. 

The Duke showed the King that there had been ten candidates in all:--

Prince Philip of Hesse Homburgh, Prince John of Saxony, Prince Frederick ofOrange, Prince Charles of Bavaria, Prince Otho of Bavaria, the ArchdukeMaximilian, Prince Paul of Wurtemburgh, Prince Leopold, Prince Emilius ofHesse Darmstadt, and Prince Charles of Mecklenburgh. 

The seven first either declined or were rejected. Prince Emilius of HesseDarmstadt was an aide-de-camp of Bonaparte, and the King would not havehim, and with regard to the last, Prince Charles of Mecklenburgh, the Dukeshowed the King he was much more nearly connected with Prussia, and so withRussia, than with England. The King admitted this, and seemed to have beenbrought into good humour, when he became so ill that he was obliged to begthe Duke to leave him, and soon after sent him word he would see him in twodays. The Duke says he was really unwell, and in fact was taking physic allthe time he was with him. 

The Duke showed the King that _he alone_ had not the power of nomination. He had one voice out of three, and there were ten candidates. 

'At any rate, ' said the King, 'Claremont reverts to the Crown. ' The Duke, fearing he might wish to give it to the Duke of Cumberland, or somebody, asked the Chancellor to-day to look at the Act of Parliament and tell uswhat becomes of Claremont in the event of Leopold's being made King ofGreece. The Chancellor looked and thought Claremont would certainly remainto Leopold, and if he died or gave it up go, not to the Crown, that is, notto the King, but, by specific enactment, become a portion of the revenueunder the Woods and Forests. Of course Leopold will give up Claremont, which is in fact a source of expense. The Duke said Leopold would be atleast innocuous, and he might be of use. The King asked how we could besuch fools as to think he would be of any use. 

While the Duke was with the King the Duke of Cumberland was with LadyConyngham, and told her, amongst other things, that the 'Times' was theDuke of Wellington's paper. 

The 'Morning Journal' is _his_ paper, and uses the expressions he puts intothe King's mouth. 

Aberdeen says Leopold is quite aware of all he will have to go through. 

He has written to Lord Stuart to ascertain whether there is any truth inthe report of his being engaged to the daughter of the Duke of Orleans. 

I cannot help thinking that is so, and that the French propositionoriginates in that. 

_January 16. _

Read last night a very interesting report by Captain Wade of his mission toRunjeet Singh in 1827. 

Received a box from the Duke with a circular note saying the King is notwell enough to see him before Tuesday. He has seen no one since he saw theDuke, and the Duke hears he was not mistaken in his judgment of the effecthe thought he had produced upon the King's mind; so I suppose this matter, which looked threatening at first, may be considered as settled, althoughnot yet formally terminated. 

The King will, I dare say, make another plunge when he finds Claremont willnot be at his personal disposal, as he seems to have imagined. 

_January 19. _

Read all day Sir Thomas Munro's Life, which contains a great deal ofinteresting and valuable information. He was a very great man. 

Talked to Hardinge of various matters. He was at Stowe when Lord Chandos inthe middle of the night received a note from his father, communicating onefrom Sir. W. Fremantle, which informed him that the King was going to turnus all to the right about. Lord Chandos said to Hardinge he would neverbelong to a Government of which the Duke of Wellington was not a member. 

_January 19. _

Read the rest of the 'Life of Sir Thomas Munro, ' a most valuable book. Ibelieve there are no books so really useful as the lives of great and goodmen. 

On my arrival in town, found a note from Hardinge, who thinks the despatchas to watching the Russians and navigating the Indus quite perfect. 

The Duke went to-day to Windsor. About eight he sent round a box containinga note, saying that the King consented to Prince Leopold's being King ofGreece. So for the present, at least, we are safe again. I never had muchapprehension. 

_January 20. _

Cabinet dinner. Lord Bathurst not there. We had very little talk uponpublic matters. The Duke had a bad cold. The opinion seemed to be that thepress of the session would be upon domestic matters, for the reduction ofestablishments and taxation. 

The King wrote to the Duke and _grumpily acceded_ to Leopold's appointment. Leopold is very _uppish_ upon the subject. He was at Cobham to-day andyesterday. 

I am to see Peel on Sunday at half-past one on Indian matters. 

_January 22. _

At one, Privy Council to consider the petition of the E. I. C. For therecall of Sir J. P. Grant. The Lord President, Lord Chief Baron, and LordChief Justice of Common Pleas present. The committee reported that they didnot consider themselves warranted at present in advising Sir J. P. Grant'sremoval, but they thought it right he should be directed to proceed homethat the several matters objected to him might be investigated. 

I took the opportunity of the presence of two judges to get a legal opinionas to Sir J. Malcolm's conduct in resisting the service of the HabeasCorpus _ad testificandum_. 

I took the opportunity likewise of laying before the two judges the changeof circumstances since the institution of the Supreme Court, and thepresent reasons for making their jurisdiction without the limits of thePresidency the exception and not the rule. 

The judges seemed to enter into my view. The Lord Chief Baron suggestedthat there might be a previous enquiry before the Country Court, whichmight for that purpose be a sort of grand jury. [Footnote: _I. E. _ when thecase was to be transferred to the Supreme Court. ]

Lord Hill showed me a letter from Sir F. Watson addressed to Sir B. Taylor, as the King's first aide-de-camp, and directing him as such, by the King'scommand, to intimate to Lord Hill the pleasure it would give His Majesty toknow that Lord Hill had given Captain Scarlett, the son of the Attorney-General, an opportunity of purchasing a majority. Captain Scarlett is avery young captain--and Lord Hill feels the thing asked cannot be done. Hewas going to see the Duke of Wellington about it. Not very long ago theKing gave away a regiment without asking Lord Hill--however, that wassettled; but it is clear that, unless Lord Hill is allowed to exercise thefair patronage of his office, he will resign. 

_January 26. _

Cabinet. It seems the French have acceded to the proposals of the Pasha ofEgypt, and finding 50, 000 men would be required to take Algiers, prefer hisoperating with 40, 000 of his own. He pretends to have made arrangementswhich will secure an easy conquest, and promises to place Tunis, Tripoli, and Algiers under regular governments, nominally under the Sultan, whoseconsent he reckons upon, and capable of preserving the relations of peacewith other Mediterranean Powers. 

The Pasha's army is commanded by French officers, and the annexation ofthese States to Egypt would be their practical annexation to France. Whenhis army is disseminated along the coast of Africa, I might realise mydream of taking Egypt from India. 

We considered the proposed order in Council relative to the slaveregulations of the King's own ceded colonies. The Duke was evidently notwell, and he was rather out of humour. We were three hours and a half inCabinet. He made various objections to the proposed regulations. Heimpressed upon us the danger of tampering with the rights of property. Wewere doing that with property of an _odious_ character, which we should notdo in England. He pressed the effect in the West Indies and the exampleeverywhere. He seemed to complain that the regulations were different fromthose agreed to in the summer. Sir G. Murray was very quiet. He is a verysensible man, but he is overawed by the Duke, having been under him solong. 

Poor old Tierney is dead, for which I am very sorry. He was a very goodfriend of mine. 

_January 27. _

Cabinet at four. There can be no Council to-morrow, as Greville has thegout and Buller is in Cornwall. 

There is to be an intimation sent to the Pasha to the effect that we_disapprove_ of the proposed attempt to conquer Tripoli, Tunis, andAlgiers. France is to be told the same. I wished conditional orders to begiven to the Fleet, and that the Pasha should be told orders had beengiven. It being doubtful whether French vessels might not convoy theEgyptian fleet and transports, I thought we had better now consider what weshould do in that event; that we had better not threaten withoutdetermining to execute our threat, and that we should consider how weshould deal with the French ships if we stopped the Egyptian--in short nottake a first step which might make a second necessary, without knowing inour own minds what that second step should be. The Duke thinks the Frenchwill back out when they know our _disapprobation_, and that at any rate thePasha would. I rather doubt this of either of them. 

The French say they have a sort of quarrel with Tripoli, but none withTunis, and they enter into a scheme for conquering both as stepping-stonesto Algiers. Tunis in their hands would be more dangerous than Algiers. 

Hardinge told me he had had a long conversation with Peel the other day onthe state of the country. He thought Peel seemed to have apprehensions, andto think that if the King, through some intrigue of the Brunswickers, gotrid of the Duke, things would go very ill indeed; that the authority of theDuke alone kept things quiet. England is in a bad state, because thecountry gentlemen have ill-paid rents; but Scotland and Ireland do verywell, and the trade of the country is not depressed. 

Cabinet dinner at the Chancellor's. The Duke of Montrose there, as it wasto have been a dinner for the sheriffs. I told the Duke of my notion ofaltering the law of succession to property in India, and enabling allexisting proprietors to leave their estates as they please. 

_January 28. _

The 'Times' publishes my letter to Malcolm to-day, with comments. 

Upon the whole I am glad the letter has been published. I think no one canread it without seeing I am actuated only by public views, and that I amdetermined to do my duty. 

The editor of the 'Courier' called at the Indian Board and saw Bankes, andasked whether he should say anything. Bankes said he would see me before hegave an answer. I do not care about the publication, and the letter willdefend itself. 

_January 29. _

Chairs have received very bad accounts of the temper of the Madras army, which has no cause of complaint. Lord W. Bentinck has been at last obligedto lay his hand upon the press, and, as might have been expected, is muchmore abused than if he had done so at first. The Radicals had begun toconsider him one of themselves, and so think him a traitor when he refusesto go any further with them. 

I went to the Duke and told him what they said. He is, as usual, sanguine, and thinks it will blow over. 

I told the Duke I thought he had better look out for a Governor-General, for it might be necessary to recall Lord W. Bentinck. The objection tomaking Malcolm provisional successor is that he would stay till he died inorder to be Governor-General one day. Otherwise his provisional appointmentwould strengthen the local Government very much. 

At the Cabinet they had all read my letter in the 'Times, ' except theChancellor. I told him to read it. 

Peel was indignant at the publication. Lord Rosslyn said Joseph Hume hadhad the letter some time in his possession, and must have sent it to the'Times. '

Peel said it was a very good letter. I said I was not ashamed of it. 

They all laughed very much at the simile of the elephants. 

Cabinet. Much discussion as to the terms of the speech. Aberdeen's part wasvery ill done indeed. It underwent much alteration and was improved. Thatregarding distress and remedies was postponed. There is no remedy, and itis best to say so. 

In the meantime the export of almost all manufactures is increased largelyin quantity, but the value is diminished. Still this proves continued andincreased employment, although at low wages. This is a state of things inwhich we cannot try to make corn dearer or wool either. Nothing but theextreme cheapness of our manufactures makes their export possible. 

Aberdeen read his letter to Consul Barker respecting the. Pasha's designs. The last paragraph, which intimated that the Pasha's persistence 'would tooprobably lead to our decided opposition, ' was omitted. It was thought thatthe recommendation, 'to weigh well the serious consequences of a measurehighly objectionable to us, and to which other Powers could not but beunfavourable, ' was thought sufficient to stop the Pasha. 

If the first words had stood, we must have used the same to France, and thethreat might have led to collision. In any case the Pasha would havecommunicated the expressions to France. 

The Duke and the Chancellor were to see Leopold to-morrow. 

Another Cabinet to-morrow at four for going on with the Speech. 

_January 30. _

Hardinge called. He told me all was not settled as to Lord Chandos havingthe Mint. He referred to the Duke of Buckingham, [Footnote: He had, asappears from the Wellington correspondence, pressed for years his claims toa seat in the Cabinet, with an importunity to which the Duke of Wellingtonexpressed his objection. His large parliamentary interest, which almostmade him the chief of a party of his own, made him appear entitled toexpect it. ] who would rather have it himself, with a seat in the Cabinet. 

Lord MountCharles goes out to annoy his father, and force him to give him alarger allowance, unaccompanied by the condition of constant attendance inthe House of Commons. 

Read the Duke of Northumberland's letter to Peel on the state of Ireland. The Duke represents the Catholic Relief Bill as having produced none of theevils anticipated by its opposers, if it has not produced all the benefitsexpected by its supporters--as having upon the whole worked better thancould have been expected in so short a time and under such circumstances. 

The disturbances he thinks confined to the counties of Tipperary, Clare, and Roscommon; in the first produced by too high rents; in the second bylate collision and the want of proper management on the part of thegentlemen; in the last by attempts to convert the Catholics, and the zealof new converts. The Catholic Union is dissolved. The great body of theCatholics have abstained from the ostentation of triumph. 

_Monday, February 1. _

Bankes called this morning, but I did not see him. He saw Henry. He came tosay he was out, and S. Wortley in his place. When he understood LordChandos did not take the Mint, he went to the Duke and offered to remain, thinking his going out, with Lord Chandos's declining to come in, might, taken together, embarrass the Government. However, the arrangement wasalready made. 

Read Lushington's minute on the Neilgherry hills. He wants to make anEnglish colony there. If he had, every man would make some excuse, deserthis duty in the hot months, and go to the Neilgherry hills. 

Read the first volume of Gamba's 'Travels in South Russia. ' He was Consulof France, but writes like a Russian. He talks of restoring the commercialcommunication with Asia by the Phasis, Caspian, and Oxus. All this isabsurd. Unless indeed the Russians, after occupying China, turn the Oxusinto its old course, and thus enable themselves to carry goods by watercarriage to the foot of the Himalaya, or rather within 250 miles of Cabul. 

_February 5. _

Received last night a note from the Duke asking me, if I could, to have aCabinet to-day on Batta. If I could not, to send Peel the letters ofMalcolm, &c. 

I determined to have the Cabinet. Peel had not read till the day beforeyesterday the Batta papers, and, although inclining to the opinion that thepresent orders must be maintained, he thinks it, as it is, a seriousquestion for the Government to decide after the minutes of Lord WilliamBentinck and the members of council, with the apprehension of a mutiny asthe possible result of our standing firm. I said if we gave way the otherarmies would bring forward their demands--that it was a question, not onlybetween the Home Authorities and the army, but the Home Authorities and theLocal Government which had for sixteen years resisted the orders sent tothem. 

The Duke cautioned the Cabinet as to the character of the Indian army, which he said was a _mercenary army_, retained in obedience by nothing butthe wish to return to England; but he thought after what had taken place wemust resist, and adhere to our present orders. Peel wished all the membersof the Cabinet to read the minutes before they decided, and there is to bea Cabinet on Sunday. 

It was determined that if a question should be asked to-night, Peel shouldsay 'the orders had not been countermanded. ' Peel observed very justly onthe state of things which seemed to exist in India. An army sending suchmemorials to the Government, and the members of the Government writingpamphlets against each other. In point of fact, years will be required torestore a proper tone to the Government of India. 

I mentioned to the Duke the mission of two Russian Poles to India andManilla, and that I suspected Russia of a wish to purchase Manilla. Neitherthe Duke nor Aberdeen seemed to think the Spaniards would or could sell thePhilippines. However, Aberdeen will write to the man at Madrid to find outwhether any proposal to that effect has been made by the RussianGovernment. 

The members of the House of Commons consider their majority last nightfortunate. The House is very loose. In the majority and minority were themost opposite parties. O'Connell went out with Sadler. The Brunswickers arein high glee, and have sent for their valiant champion, Falmouth. In ourHouse they made a poor show. 

Prince Leopold is not by any means disposed to take Greece without Candia, and it was thought, from Lord Lansdowne's speech, he and others had advisedhim to take this line. Aberdeen is very much embarrassed to find asubstitute. 

_February 6. _

Spring-Rice asked Bankes in the House last night whether the letter to SirJ. Malcolm published as mine was mine. Bankes said that I had no copy ofit, and therefore could not say it was correctly given. It was a privateletter. Brougham, and Mackintosh, and that ass, M. A. Taylor, spoke inreprobation of it. Mackintosh most unfairly and disingenuously pretended tounderstand I endeavoured to get off by saying it was a private letter, andsaid it would be an extenuation of my offence if I would disavow thesentiments contained in it. What must he be himself to suppose I woulddisavow what I had written! Upon the whole, the tone taken by Peel andBankes, but more especially by Peel, was too apologetical. I shall beobliged to go to the House on Monday to have a question put to me by LordLansdowne. I shall distinctly declare he may consider the letter as mine, and that I am ready to defend every line of it. Wrote to Lord Wellesley tooffer to put his name upon the Committee on East India affairs if he wouldattend. He declines on account of ill-health. 

Received a note from Peel begging me to have the Chairs to meet him on theappointment of the committee. I sent to the Chairman, and he came and metPeel; but Astell was out of the way. We are to meet at half-past one to-morrow. Peel did not seem to have looked much into the subject, which theChairman observed. 

Saw Bankes. He is not certain of succeeding now to the secretaryship of theAdmiralty, but he expects it ultimately. He thinks the Duke of Buckinghamhad nothing to do with Lord Chandos's rejection of the Mint: but does notknow how it went off. He thought that Lord Chandos had accepted, and theDuke seems to have thought so too. 

A very good account from Ireland. The country gradually and quietly cominground. 

_Sunday, February 7. _

Cabinet. First, Batta. The Duke gave his decided opinion in favour ofadhering to the present order. After some conversation, but no opposition, the Cabinet acquiesced unanimously in that decision, which has been minefrom the first. 

I had a moment's conversation with Peel about the letter to Sir J. Malcolm, and told him I would defend every word of it, elephants and all. 

Then we had a good deal of discussion respecting the policy to be pursuedwith regard to Cuba, against which the Mexicans are preparing to organise aslave insurrection, for which purpose they have sent a Minister to Hayti. It seems to be generally believed that Canning, about the year 1823, issueda sort of prohibition to the Mexican and Columbian States to attack Cuba, but no trace can be found in the Foreign Office of any such prohibition. 

Sir R. Wilson means to ask a question upon the subject to-morrow. He says, if you prohibit the Mexicans and Columbians from attacking Cuba, you shouldprohibit the Spaniards from attacking them--which is fair--in fact theexpedition of Barradas was undertaken before we knew anything about it, andif we had wished we could not have interfered. 

The question as to what answer should be given to Sir R. Wilson, and whatpolicy pursued, was deferred till to-morrow. 

In the meantime it appears that Mr. Robertson, who is at Mexico, remonstrated strongly with M. De Bocaregna, respecting the objects of theembassy to Hayti, and he was told by Aberdeen that he did quite right, andthat not only ourselves but other states might view with disapprobation anattempt to excite a warfare of an uncivilised character in Cuba. 

The French have assembled 35, 000 men to attack Algiers. They promise not tokeep it. [Footnote: This promise was repudiated by the Government of July. ]They intimate their intention of assisting Mehemet Ali with a fleet; but inthe meantime they are satisfied at Constantinople that Mehemet Ali will notmove. 

Aberdeen told Laval that we had informed the Pasha of Egypt that we shouldview with disapprobation his attack upon Tunis and Tripoli without theconsent of the Sultan. Laval begged this might be repeated to him threetimes. 

Much conversation as to the state of the House of Commons. The Tories aremost radical. Sir R. Vyvyan told Holmes or Planta his object was to reducethe Government majorities as much as possible, and to make the Governmentas contemptible as possible. Sir E. Knatchbull leads about twenty-three. Ithink the probability is that, unless we make some coalition with theWhigs, we shall go to the ground between the two parties, [Footnote: Thiseventually occurred on the Civil List question after the accession ofWilliam IV. ] both uniting against us upon some point (upon my letter to SirJ. Malcolm as likely as any other). 

I took home Sir George Murray. He expressed his surprise the Duke shouldcling to the hope of reclaiming the ultra-Tories, whom he would not get, and who were not worth having. 

I confess I think he carries it on too long, although I am not surprised heshould have wished it at first. 

Prince Leopold has given no reply to Aberdeen's letter, or to the offer ofthe ambassadors. 

Lord Holland gives notice to-morrow of a motion about Greece, and LordMelbourne moves for some papers respecting Portugal. 

Lord Melville gives notice for me of the committee on East Indian Affairs, and I am not to go down till Tuesday, that we may have out the letter toMalcolm and other Indian matters all at once. 

_February 8. _

Wrote a memorandum for Peel and Bankes to this effect: 'That I had neithercopy nor recollection of the letter; but that I had no doubt the letterpublished as mine was substantially correct. It was a confidentialexposition of the motives which induced me to recommend two judges to theKing. [Footnote: It was suggested that with these colleagues Sir J. Grantwould be like a wild elephant between two tame ones. Alluding to the methodof taming captured elephants in India. ] It was never intended to bepublished, nor did I expect it would be. The expressions, therefore, wereunadvised, but the sentiments were and are mine, deliberately formed uponfull consideration of the official documents before me. 

Cabinet. It appears on looking into papers of 1825 and 1826 that so farfrom our having prohibited Mexico and Columbia from making any attack uponCuba, we uniformly abstained from doing anything of the kind. The Americansdeclared they could not see with indifference any state other than Spain inpossession of Cuba, and further their disposition to interpose their powershould war be conducted in Cuba in a _devastating_ manner, and with a viewto the excitement of a servile war. 

We offered to guarantee Cuba to Spain in 1823 if she would negotiate withthe colonies with a view to their recognition. 

Subsequently we were willing to enter into a tripartite guarantee of Cubato Spain with the United States and France. 

The United States seemed not unwilling, but France held back. 

Peel is to say there was no record of any prohibition, but that the UnitedStates declared so, and it was possible Mr. Canning may have intimated asimilar disposition on our part. This is to keep open to us the faculty ofinterfering if we please. 

The Duke thinks my letter does not signify one pin. The simile of theelephants evidently means no more than that an indiscreet judge was placedbetween two discreet ones. 

The Duke told me he had offered a Lordship of the Treasury to Ashley, whohad declined it. He then told him to make himself master of the Battaquestion. Ashley said he had not seen the papers. He said, let him see thepapers. I told him I had sent them the moment I got them to him, and he haddesired me to send them to the Cabinet room, which I did. When they weretaken from the Cabinet room they went to the India Board, and Ashley mighthave seen them. I had never kept any papers from him. We then talked aboutthe speech to be made in moving the committee. The Duke seems inclined tohave little said. Peel seems disposed to say little; but he knows little. Ithink they are wrong. I am sure it is necessary to correct the erroneousnotions which have been propagated with respect to the trade. They willotherwise acquire so great a head it will be impossible to beat them back. 

However, this we are to talk over with Peel tomorrow. 

General King, who voted against the address on Thursday, is turned out bythe King himself; the Duke having only mentioned the fact. I dare say theKing may be alarmed by the spirit shown by the House of Commons. 

The suicide of . . . . On account of his wife's seduction by the Duke ofCumberland, will drive the Duke of Cumberland out of the field. 

_February 9. _

Called on the Duke. He advised a very narrowed statement in moving for thecommittee. I rather doubt his judgment upon this point. I fear the opinionof the country will become settled, and that when the strength of our caseis brought forward it will be found unequal to the driving back of thestream. However, I made a speech as he desired. Lord Lansdowne said a fewwords. 

Lord Durham then questioned me as to the authenticity of my letter to SirJ. Malcolm. I acknowledged it was substantially correct, and declared Icould not have entertained any other sentiments without a dereliction ofduty. He expressed disapprobation, considering the letter as evincing adetermination to control the independence of judges. The Duke replied--thenLord Melville--then Lord Holland--I last. I declared that, as my father'sson, I was the last man capable of harbouring a thought against theindependence of judges; but I would resist their usurpation, moreespecially when they usurped powers withheld from them by Parliament asdangerous to the peace of India and to the stability of the British power. 

I said India could not bear the collision of the Supreme Court and theLocal Government. If we did not support the Government we should loseIndia. 

I was determined to maintain the integrity, the dignity, the authority, andthe unapproachable power of the Local Government, and especially to supporta man who, at that distance from England, acting in the faithful dischargeof his public duty, incurred the highest responsibility and the greatestpersonal risk in defence of what he considered essential to the stabilityof the British power in India. I believe I did well. They all told me Ishould hear no more of it. 

_February 10. _

Saw Bankes. He says the House of Commons is loose indeed; but he thinksMinisters will have a majority on the East Retford business. The worst ofit is that those who ought to be the friends of Government will not stayout a debate. Last night Peel and Goulburn were left with a decidedminority, but the House was counted out. 

Saw Hardinge. He seems to think there is no great danger, and he thinks theHouse is in so loose a state that the accession of an individual or twowould not draw others; that Brougham may be quieted, and that the others donot much signify. 

In the meantime Abercromby has been made Chief Baron of Scotland. AnotherWhig gone. A very valuable intimation to those who remain. 

Lord Lansdowne brings in Zachary Macaulay, son of the old saint. [Footnote:The late Lord Macaulay. He is erroneously described by his father'sChristian name. ] They say a very clever man indeed, at least as a writer. 

Hardinge told me the Duke told Mrs. Arbuthnot I spoke very well last night. At dinner the Chancellor and Sir George Murray congratulated me on what hadtaken place. 

After the Cabinet dinner, much talk and nothing settled. The motion of SirJ. Graham will, I think, be amended--and easily. There is a disposition, very properly, not to give Portuguese papers. As to the Lord Holland'smotion on Friday no decision is come to. 

Gave the Duke the petition of the Bengal half-castes. 

Mr. Jenkins, who was for many years resident at Nagpore, called upon me andoffered himself as successor to Sir J. Malcolm. He said the Chairs weredisposed to him, if the Government had no objection. I said I was aware ofthe services he had rendered, but that there were many distinguishedservants of the Company, and likewise persons of ability who had not beenin India, whose several qualifications must be considered. It was further apoint upon which I must of course communicate with the Duke of Wellington. The man is a person of dry cold manner, not prepossessing. 

I am disposed to think Mr. Chaplin the best Indian for the situation. 

_February 11. _

I think Polignac's Ministry must fall, and really, as regards himself, Icannot feel regret, as he is the greatest liar that has exerciseddiplomatist functions for a long time. I had thought better of him. Iftheir expedition ever sails for Algiers they will find what it costs tosend an expedition over sea. I think, however, they will succeed, and, ifthey do, they will keep Algiers. 

Sir R. Gordon entertains a very different opinion from that expressed byAberdeen as to the future fate of the Ottoman Empire. He thinks the eventsof the late war prove little, and that the Sultan has learnt a lesson whichwill induce him to treat his rayas better--that the war once over, all menwill return to their duty. However, he gives no good reasons for hisopinion. He states very fairly the difficulty of his own position. He sayshe has hitherto believed it was the intention of his Government to supportTurkey. He has therefore had influence, because where he has advisedconcession the Turks have understood we meant it should not be hurtful tothem--but now, how can he advise the Turks to yield to what is asked, whenhe knows the Government think that the more is taken from Turkey, the moreis saved from Russia? Sir R. Gordon says his colleagues are by no means ofopinion that the Ottoman Empire is falling, and that France allows theirofficers to go in numbers to serve with the Turkish troops. 

Received a letter from Sir J. Macdonald in which he tells me the TurkishAsiatic provinces are falling away from the Sultan. 

He encloses a letter from a Mr. Sterling, giving a very interesting accountof his journey by Meshed and near Balkh to Cabul. He took a new road to thenorth of the Paropamisan ridge. In Cabul he experienced no difficulty. 

_February 12. _

House. Lord Holland's motion of a resolution that the House would not besatisfied with any plan for the pacification and settlement of Greece, which did not secure to that state the means of independence by sea andland, and leave the Greeks free to have their own Constitution. Hisinformation was most inaccurate. Yet on this he founded his distrust of theGovernment. Notwithstanding this distrust he was neither with them noragainst them, nor did he wish to turn them out. He made an indifferentspeech. Aberdeen a fair one ill delivered. The Duke spoke admirably. Thebrains were beaten out of the motion. No division. Goderich and Clanricardeand Melbourne spoke; Lord Melbourne poorly. 

On the East Retford [Footnote: It will be remembered that this question hadled to the resignation of Huskinsson and his friends. ] question last nightwe had a majority of twenty-seven in a House of 226 members--the highTories voting with Government. 

Bankes has now the offer of a Lordship of the Admiralty till Croker can begot rid of; but he will not go. Castlereagh will have the TreasuryLordship--that is, 600£ a year more for having been careless. 

_February 13. _

After seeing the Chairs spoke to the Duke about the Bombay succession. Heasked what I meant to do with Elphinstone? I considered he had left Indiaaltogether. The Duke thought he must return--that he would go to Bombayagain with the expectation of afterwards going to Madras. I think the Dukehas an idea of making him Governor-General. I mentioned Mr. Chaplin. TheDuke mentioned Mr. Jenkins, of whom he thought highly. He had done well atNagpore, and he had had some correspondence with him when in India whichgave him a good opinion of him. The Duke spoke of Mr. Russell, but thoughthe had been mixed up with the Hyderabad transactions. I then mentionedClare. The Duke thought him better than any of the others mentioned. Thatit was a great thing to have a man of rank; he must be well supported; hehad not a very strong mind. However, on the whole he seemed better than theothers, and I am to propose him. 

I am very glad to have Clare. I have a great respect and regard for him--but I have a little hesitation as to his fitness. He will, however, be amost zealous and honourable servant of the public, and his good mannerswill keep people in good humour and in order. 

Leopold has sent in his answer. I have not seen it yet. He accepts onconditions. 

The debate last night in the Commons is considered very favourable. Dawson's amendment was adopted--and Planta and Holmes say the temper ofthe country gentlemen is much improved. They are quite in spirits again. 

A hint of Peel's, but a hint that the Government did not fear an appeal tothe country, seems to have had a good effect. 

_February 14. _

Cabinet. On Thursday Peel, in opening the Compensation Bill, will detailthe various legal reforms. 

He is disposed to diminish gradually the number of crimes for which thepunishment of death is awarded. The Duke seemed reluctant and so didothers. However, the Chancellor did not object. 

My father considered that where a man could not protect his own propertythe law ought to protect it for him by higher penalties. However, now itseems a man must protect his own property, and punishments are to beproportioned more to the extent of the moral offence than to the necessityfor preventing crime. 

Then we considered Leopold's answer. The man accepts provided--

1. There is a guarantee of the new State. 

2. That the frontier is slightly altered. 

3. That the three powers protect the present insurgents in Samos andCandia. 

4. That a loan of 1, 500, 000£ is guaranteed. 

5. That he may have troops furnished to him. 

6. He stipulates that the Greeks should have the power of declining him, _le soussigné_, as their Prince. 

A guarantee there will probably be, and therefore the alteration ofboundaries, which Leopold knew could not be listened to, is in factunnecessary. 

Each power separately and individually may use its good offices with thePorte for the protection of the Greeks in Samos and Candia, and indeed, under the agreement as to an amnesty, each would be bound to do so; but notriple agreement will be entered into, the object being to get out of theTreaty of July 6. 

Aberdeen seemed disposed to allow 1, 000 men of each of the three Powers togo to Greece. This would continue the triple action, and as these troopswould go, not against any external enemy, but against Greeks, the measurewould be somewhat in contradiction to the declaration the other night thatthe Greeks and their Prince might make what Government they pleased. Aftersome conversation it seemed the general opinion that it would be better topay the cost of the troops than to have our own there, and in fact the samemoney would enable Greece to have twice the number of Germans or Swiss thatshe could have of British. This I thought. But I suggested that Greececould not want a large sum down. A sum might be required for outfit, butthen an annual sum. Peel proposed the whole loan guaranteed should be700, 000£, of which 100, 000£ to be paid down as outfit, and then 100, 000£ ayear for six years at 5 per cent; the three Powers guaranteeing each athird part of the interest. It is better to guarantee the loan, then to paymoney down. The loan, they say, can be made at three. Aberdeen says theGreeks give a most flourishing exposé of their future finances, and hethinks they will become a rich State, and the Powers be exposed to nodanger of being called upon for the payment of the interest. I think hebegins to love his Greek progeny. 

The Duke only desired we would get out of the treaty. I suggested theinexpediency of our joining in the guarantee. A guarantee gave no right ofintervention we should not otherwise possess, and it obliged us tointerfere when we might not desire to do so. However, I fear there will bea guarantee. 

_February 16. _

Cabinet. There seems to be little doubt that the Emperor Pedro means todirect an expedition from Rio against Portugal, Terceira being the point of_rassemblement_. This is a practical answer to the question recently put byus conjointly with France and Austria as to the intentions of the Emperor, and therefore we are at liberty to act as if a specific answer had beenreceived. It seems Austria will be very unwilling to recognise Don Miguel;France not. 

The object of recognising him is to prevent a revolutionary war in Portugaland the entrance of Spanish troops into Portugal to oppose it. 

Whenever Miguel is recognised, I think Lord Rosslyn will be made Master-General of the Ordnance, Lord Beresford going to Portugal as Minister, andthen the Privy Seal will be disposable. I dare say the Duke, out of goodnature, will offer it to Lord Westmoreland. 

Aberdeen read the remonstrance he proposed sending to Spain against theproposed expedition to Mexico. 

Leopold met the Plenipotentiaries, and Aberdeen thinks he would haveacceded, but he evidently required the sanction of another person. TheFrench Ambassador used very strong language, telling him his Court would bevery much hurt indeed at finding him make these difficulties after all thathad passed, &c. 

Peel told me he was disposed to grant the motion for any correspondencebetween the Board of Control or any member of it, &c. , with a directnegative. To move the previous question was an admission of some error. Iwas telling him the circumstances when it was necessary to attend toAberdeen's business. I must tell him to-morrow. 

_February 17. _

At the Cabinet dinner at Lord Melville's, talked to Peel and gave him acopy of the report of the Privy Council and of my letter to Sir J. Grant. He is disposed to take a high tone, and thinks men will follow him betterwhen he does than when he temporises. I am sure they will. 

He says he would reduce everything so low as not to be beat uponestablishments. If he is beat upon unimportant questions he does not care, and will not go out. They will not get a majority for stopping supplies, and if they can agree upon motions, he is prepared to play the game of '83[Footnote: Alluding to Pitt's course at the beginning of his firstMinistry. He retained office a whole Session in spite of the motionscarried against him, and in the general election of 1784 obtained anoverwhelming majority. ] with them. I am sure he is right. 

_February 18. _

House. First a question from Lord Holland whether the orders to the Admiralrespecting Greek slaves, &c. , would, after the settlement of Greece, applyto Candiot Greeks. Then Lord Melbourne's motion for Portuguese papers. Hedid not speak well--but very bitterly. Goderich spoke pathetically againstthe Terceira affair--Lord Wharncliffe well with us--Lansdowne wide andloose--the Duke very excellent--Aberdeen worse than usual, and veryimprudent, abusing Miguel and making awkward admissions. 

It was quite established that Canning had nothing to say to the PortugueseConstitution, and I think we shall hear no more of Terceira. Fifty-two totwenty-one--no proxies. 

_February 19. _

Cabinet. Leopold's answer. He wants troops and money. After long talk itwas resolved the French troops might stay a year, till he could raiseothers, and money should be given. 

_February 20, 1830. _

In riding with Lord Rosslyn had a long conversation with him upon Indianmatters. He had just been reading the despatches from Lord Stuart and LordHeytesbury upon these subjects. I told him I had anticipated all Lord H. Suggested and had done, I really thought, all that could be done. I am tosend him the secret letter. He thinks, as I do, that Aberdeen is in a greathurry to get rid of the Greek question, and disposed to incur futureembarrassments to avoid present inconvenience. 

Lord Rosslyn does not much like the division of last night, but I believeit was a good one. 

_February 21. _

This morning looked through the finance accounts of the three years, ending1819, and the three ending 1828, with a view to comparing the state of thecountry with what it was before Peel's Bill. The increased consumption isastonishing. The increase of British tonnage and in the number of seamensince 1819 is equal to the whole tonnage and to all the seamen in theforeign trade with Great Britain, although that is increased nearly in thesame proportion with our own. 

The increased consumption of tea and coffee is 50 per cent. The number ofpounds in 1819 being about 30, 000, 000 of pounds, and now 45, 000, 000 pounds. 

The import of foreign raw produce is much increased--of that produce whichcompetes with the landed produce of England. 

Hardinge called. He thinks the Government quite safe now. Indeed, he neverhad much apprehension. He regrets Sir James Graham's divergence from theroad which leads to office. He thinks he came up to London intending well;but that he thought under present circumstances he could be a moreconsiderable man out of office than he would be in a subordinate situation. 

The Duke of Northumberland says the salary of the Lord-Lieutenant may wellbe reduced to 20, 000£ a year. 

_February 24. _

Lord Rosslyn, who called upon me at the office, thinks I may go a littletoo far in my directions with regard to Russian spies, that is, in a publicdespatch. I had directed that if it appeared danger was likely to arisefrom their return to Europe or from their passage into any Asiatic country, their persons should be placed under restraint, and in all cases theirpapers and letters got possession of. He suggests that this might bementioned in a private letter, or left to the discretion of the LocalGovernments. 

We had a long conversation on Lord Stanhope's motion for to-morrow, whenWhigs and Tories are to combine to beat us. 

The division last night in the House of Commons on Lord J. Russell's motionfor giving two members to Manchester, Birmingham, and Leeds, was notsatisfactory. There were 140 for it, and only 188 against it. The Toriesstayed away. 

_February 25. _

House at 4 and until 2. Lord Stanhope's motion for a Committee of the wholeHouse on the internal state of the country. He made a weak speech, becauseto get votes he abstained from stating the cause of distress, which in hisopinion is currency, or any remedy. Goderich and Lansdowne made goodspeeches. Rosebery not a bad one, though as usual pompous. All suggestingsome remedies--all for reducing taxation, but against a Committee of theHouse. Lord Radnor made a good vulgar speech. King spoke better than usual. He proposed, but afterwards withdrew, an amendment for a Committeeupstairs. The Duke, who alone spoke on our side, did not speak well, andsome of his statements were hazardous. Lords Darnley and Bute declaredthere was no distress near them. 

We divided well. There being but fifteen present for Lord Stanhope'smotion, and ten proxies. 

_February 26. _

Chairs at 11. Went over with them the letter on Batta. 

Lord Wharncliffe intends on Tuesday to propose examining the Chairman ofthe East Indian Company. 

_February 27. _

Wrote a note to Loch to tell him of Lord Wharncliffe's intention. He doesnot like the idea at all, and wishes to see me before the Committee sits. Ihave named Monday at eleven. I told him my feeling was against his beingexamined, as I thought it unfair; besides, he was not the best witness. Itold Lord Wharncliffe he should examine Lord Amherst. 

At the Cabinet room I attempted to read the papers respecting Irisheducation. My opinion is that it would be better to let the matter rest forthe present; the agitation of it may revive animosities, and if any good beattainable, it may be attained at a more favourable period than thepresent. I rather doubt whether it might not be yet more safely left to thepeople themselves, as education in England and in Scotland. 

_March 1. _

Cabinet. We were to have talked about Irish education, but more importantmatters intervened. There is a motion on Friday of Mr. Davenport's for aCommittee on the internal state of the country. Peel thinks there will be aunion of parties in favour of it. He feels it must be opposed. Some of thefriends of Government have said they must vote for it. He proposes thatGoulburn should to-morrow give notice of his intention of explaining hisviews as to taxation on Monday week. Peel thinks that he can procure anadjournment of the debate till after Goulburn's exposé. 

Goulburn suggests taking off the whole of the beer tax, and remitting thehop duty for this year, as well as remodelling it. He likewise proposeslowering the duties on East and West India sugar, the former from 37_s_. To25_s_. , and the latter from 27_s_. To 20_s_. 

As the revenue is decreasing, these reductions cannot be taken from it. There must be a commutation. This he proposes to be a modified propertytax, to apply to landed property, all fixed property, and the funds as wellas all offices, but not to the profits of trade. 

_March 2. _

There seems to have been some incivility last night on the part of SirCharles Burrell and Sir E. Knatchbull against me, with reference to myopposition to the Duke of Richmond's motion on the wool question last year. 

_March 3. _

Peel's. Met Bankes, Graham, and Ashley. It was, after talk, agreed that thepapers asked should be refused, unless in the course of the debate itshould appear that the granting of Grant's petition and the report of thePrivy Council would improve the division. I expect a regular attack uponmyself from all quarters. I would give a year of the House of Lords to bethere to throw grape-shot amongst the small lawyers. 

Cabinet room. Read despatches relating to the expedition to Algiers, whichis certainly going. 

Cabinet dinner at Peel's. The affair of the vacated offices becomesserious, for it seems certain that it is necessary to take the declarationagain upon any new patent, and the Board of Admiralty should have taken thedeclaration as well as Castlereagh--the Board of Control as well as me. 

The Chancellor continues to have no objection to reducing the salaries ofthe Supreme Court Judges. 

_March 5. _

Chairs at 11. I got rid of them as soon as I could, as I wished to go tothe Committee. 

Loch showed me a letter from Lord William Bentinck, by which it appearsthat the officers of the Cawnpore division of the army wished to have ageneral meeting for the election of delegates to England. Sir J. Whittingham forwarded their request to Lord Combermere, highly disapprovingof it. Lord Combermere directed the Adjutant-General to write a lettercoinciding with Sir J. Whittingham's opinions, and adding that he would bethe advocate of the army both in India and in England. Lord William(Bentinck) is going up the country with the _Government_ and wishes to takeLord Dalhousie with him. He expects very uncivil treatment, and says thediscontent is deep-seated. The same account is received from otherquarters. 

The debate was adjourned last night. R. Grant made a speech in a moderatetone, but disingenuous. Lord Ashley spoke good stuff apparently, but Henrysays he could not hear him. Lord Graham was unembarrassed and did well; butthe 'Times' hardly gives him ten words. 

I sent a note to Peel to-day observing upon the disingenuousness of Grant'sspeech. He told me he had been reading the papers, and saw it was noquestion of judicial independence, but of judicial aggression, and hethought the tone of the Governor who was in the right much better than thatof the Judge who was in the wrong. So I hope he will make a good speech. 

_March 6. _

Read letters from Sir J. Macdonald. They came by Constantinople. The onlynews they contain is that the Russians certainly have the intention ofconquering Khiva and Bokhara. This comes from Chasanes Murza. I told theDuke, who seems disposed to make it an European question. 

I showed the Duke a most atrocious libel on royalty which has beenpublished in the 'Calcutta Gazette. ' If the King saw it he would recallLord William by the Sign Manual. A letter must be written immediately inthe press. It is in such a state that our Government cannot stand if it bepermitted to go on uncontrolled. 

I asked the Duke as to taxation. He said he thought it could be donewithout income tax. To lay on income tax would be to weaken ourselves inthe opinion of all foreign Powers. Besides, it would prevent our reducingthe Four per Cents. 

He calculated the loss of the beer duty at 3, 500, 000£. And, marineinsurance, cider, remission of hop duty, &c. , would make the loss4, 500, 000£. 

To meet this he expected

 £ Surplus of last year 1, 700, 000 Additional from general improvement 400, 000 Additional malt by reducing beer duties 500, 000 Increased duty on spirits 500, 000 Reducing Four per Cents 750, 000 Savings 1, 400, 000 Ireland, soap, &c. 450, 000 Stamps 200, 000 --------- 5, 900, 000 4, 500, 000 --------- 1, 400, 000

There may have been more; but he spoke, and I write from memory. 

I told him I thought that with a diminished duty on beer and an increasedduty on spirits he could not expect an increase of 500, 000£ on spirits. Headmitted that was the weak point. He said he was sure we could not carry anincome tax while we had a million surplus. If we have a good harvest, Ihave no doubt the increase on malt will be great; but I apprehend theremust be a repayment of beer duties, and if there should be, the loss willbe enormous. 

_March 8. _

Sent Mr. Elphinstone a letter giving an account of the travels to the Northof the Paropamisan range into Cabul. 

The Duke said we really must look out for a new Governor-General. Isuggested Hardinge. He said Hardinge had not as yet station enough in theopinion of the public, in the army, or in Parliament. He wished him to beSecretary in Ireland. It would have been much better if he had gone thereinstead of Lord F. Gower, and Lord P. To the War Office. To be sure, thenwe should not have had the reductions Hardinge had effected. He had, as Iknew, always wished Hardinge to go to Ireland. 

I observed that Hardinge was rising every day in public estimation, whichthe Duke acknowledged, and I added that I was sure none would do the dutybetter, for he had firmness and habits of business. The Duke seems to thinkof Elphinstone. He said he was a very clever man. I told him I had been anhour and a half with Elphinstone last night. I told the Duke all my notionsrespecting individual responsibility, members of Council, &c. , and that Ihad begged Elphinstone to think of them. The Duke seemed generally toapprove of them. It seems Lord Wellesley never would go to Council. I donot wonder at it; but the Duke used to tell him he was Governor-General _inCouncil_--that he ought always to go there. 

_March 10. _

Dined with the Duke. Cabinet dinner. Only the Peers there. The othersdetained by Lord Palmerston's motion on Portugal, on which there was amajority of two to one, 150 odd to 70 something. Huskisson made a very baddull speech. We talked about a successor to the Speaker. They seem to thinkhe will not resign now, as he would not get a good pension in the presenttemper of the House. 

The candidates are Sir J. Beckett, Littleton, G. Bankes, Wynn of course. Imentioned Frankland Lewis as a good man, which he would be. I dare say theChairs will think he should be elected unanimously. 

It seems there must be a Bill of Indemnity for not taking the declaration, two Bishops, Chester and Oxford, not having taken it. The Duke finds he hasat Dover, as Lord Warden. 

We had some little conversation about the income tax, which the Duke isvery hostile to, and I am glad we shall not have it. 

_March 11. _

The Russians have at last sent their reply to our expostulatory note. Ihave not had time to read it. Lord Heytesbury calculates that the last warcost them 12, 000, 000£, but they endeavour to conceal the amount. 

Peel told me the House was quite excited against the Bombay judges, andthat the division fairly represented its real opinion. 

_March 12. _

There was but one black ball in the election of Lord Clare, and the Chairsthink that was put in by mistake; no one objected. 

_March 13. _

Read Sir H. Parnell's pamphlet on taxation. 

Cabinet room at two. I had only got half through the Russian answer whenthe Cabinet met for the subject of taxation. 

I rather expected to find that the Duke had had communications withGoulburn, and that the idea of a property tax was given up. However, thatseemed not to be the case. It was determined the whole beer duty should begiven up in any case. 

 £ The expected revenue is 50, 250, 000 The expected expenditure 47, 930, 000 ---------- Surplus 2, 320, 000 Add by reduction of Four per Cents 777, 000 By 1_s_. 6_d_. On British, and 2_d_. On Irish and Scotch Spirits 400, 000 By stamps in Ireland 220, 000 3, 717, 000 Deduct beer tax, £3, 200, 000, but the loss to the revenue from the probable increase of malt, calculated at 2, 500, 000 ---------- 1, 217, 000 Probable increase of revenue 450, 000 ---------- Sinking fund 1, 667, 000

The conversion of stock into annuities is proceeding at the rate of1, 000, 000 pounds a month, and the increased annual charge already is250, 000 pounds. Certainly to this extent the estimated three millions ofsurplus might be fairly reduced; but to reduce the surplus to 1, 200, 000pounds or 1, 600, 000 pounds would be an entire abandonment of the systemadopted by the Finance Committee and the Government. 

It seemed to me that the members of the House of Commons were all in favourof the income tax; all the Peers against it. The Duke was strongly againstit. He apprehended the reduction of establishments, and particularly thepressure of the tax on men of 1, 200 pounds a year, and under. 

If I imposed the income tax, I would make it the means of a thoroughreconciliation between the higher and lower classes. In this manner onlywould it be effectual and make a strong Government. 

I object greatly to Goulburn's deductions from the old income tax. Heexcepts _occupiers_; that is, as regards land occupiers, quite right; buthe excepts manufacturing capital and capital engaged in commerce. Now, whyshould the man who has 100, 000 pounds in a manufactory, and makes 10 percent, on that sum, pay nothing, while the man who invests his 100, 000pounds in the funds gets only 3 1/2 per cent, and pays 5 per cent, out ofthat reduced profit? The man who has a manufacturing or _commercialcapital_ is a _saving man_. He can afford to pay something to the State, and why should he not? So the lawyer who may be making 10, 000 pounds ayear is to pay nothing. If he takes 5, 500£. A year and becomes a judge, hepays 137 pounds 10 shillings. Yet his interest is still for life. 

In all this there seems to me unfairness. 

If the tax be imposed as it is proposed, it will be very difficult toinclude afterwards the classes now exempted. It will be impossible to takeoff the tax, and whenever a tax is unpopular, those upon whom it presseswill say, 'Take it off. It is only adding 1/4 or 1/2 per cent. To theincome tax. '

A real property tax is the fairest of all taxes--but an income tax is themost unfair even when it affects all income; but when it affects the incomeof some who have a life interest, and not the income of others in the samesituation, it is most unfair indeed. 

It is quite erroneous to suppose that those who pay an income tax are theonly persons who suffer from it. The reduction of establishments, thediminished consumption, the increased economy in every article ofexpenditure on the part of those affected by it have necessarily the effectof reducing the wages of labour. The labourer may buy some things cheaper, but he has less wherewith to buy. 

_Sunday, March 14. _

Saw Hardinge at two. Told him how we stood as to the question of taxation. He said he thought the income tax would be popular, but agreed with me inthinking it should be established on strictly just principles. 

Cabinet at three. Goulburn read a new statement showing the surplus thisyear, if we reduced beer and leather, and next year too. The surplus thisyear is about 2 millions. Next year about 1, 500, 000£. 

The income tax reaches the funds, and the Irish, and the parsimonious, andthe rich--so far it is good, but it likewise reaches the man of 100£ ayear. It tends to diminution of establishments, to diminished demand forlabour. To create an alteration in demand generally. 

It was proposed to exempt professions and trades. This was unjust, and itwould have led to an entire separation and hostility between the landedproprietors and the united body of labourers and manufacturers. 

These last would have joined on all occasions in urging a further and stilla further increase of income tax, and would never have consented to a taxon consumption. The income tax would finally absorb all other taxes. 

Another great objection to the income tax now is that it would have theeffect of perilling the reduction of the 3 per cents. 

The Duke, Rosslyn, and I were decidedly against income tax. Lord Bathurstand Lord Melville, as well as the Chancellor, less decidedly so, but stillin favour of abiding by the reduction of the beer and leather tax. Aberdeensaid nothing, neither did Sir G. Murray, so they were understood to go withthe majority. 

Goulburn acknowledged the discussion had to a great extent changed hisopinion, and that he was not then prepared to propose the tax. 

Herries seemed much in its favour; but more, as it seemed to me, because hewished to maintain a large surplus according to the decision of the FinanceCommittee than for any good reason. Peel was decidedly for a property tax. He wished to reach such men as Baring, his father, Rothschild, and others, as well as absentees and Ireland. He thought too it was expedient toreconcile the lower with the higher classes, and to diminish the burthen oftaxation on the poor man. I accede to the principle; but I doubt whethertaxes on consumption do really press more heavily on the poor man than anincome tax. What he has to look to is not the actual price of the articlehe wants, but the proportion which his wages bear to that price. It matterslittle to him what the price of candles may be, if he has not moneywherewith to purchase them. That system of taxation is best for the poorman which most tends to increase the funds for the employment of labour;and every disturbance in the system, every alteration of demand, doesintrinsic mischief. 

After this matter was decided, Peel behaving most fairly, and declaring hewould support the decision of the Cabinet whatever it might be, and that inthis case the decision of the Treasury was to be principally looked to, wetalked of Queen Donna Maria, in whose name Don Pedro has established aRegency in Terceira. 

I read Leopold's letter to Lord Aberdeen, in which he refers to his letterof February 11, for the statement of his views in taking the Greek coronet, saying that he only acceded from courtesy, and as a matter of form, to theprotocol, and further urging some alteration in the frontier. He has madean application for a joint guarantee by the three Powers of a loan of60, 000, 000 paras, or 2, 400, 000£. Now we only agreed to guarantee 50, 000£ ayear, and that for troops. Nothing will be said upon this point till he haswithdrawn his letter. He seems to be Aberdeen's pet. I do not think, hadthe Greeks searched Europe, they could have found a man whose character wasmore congenial to their own. 

_March 17. _

Leopold has withdrawn his obnoxious letter. 

_March 18. _

House at five. Debate on the Duke of Richmond's motion for a selectCommittee on the state of the labouring classes, and the effect of taxationupon the productive powers of industry. 

A most dull debate, till Lord Holland spoke. I answered him. Lord Lansdownenext, then the Duke. I spoke, showing the impracticability of theCommittee. I however showed up Committees rather too much. This LordLansdowne took hold of, not very fairly, but he did it well. 

We had in the House 69; they 39. 

With proxies we had 140 to 61. My uncle voted in the minority, and so didCoplestone. Dudley, Lord Malmesbury, Lord Gower, voted with us. 

The Whigs, Brunswickers, and Canningites were in the minority. The Duke ofCumberland was there. 

I find we have some recruits--in proxies Lord Lauderdale, Duke of Bedford, Downshire, Lord Wilton; and Lord Jersey sits behind us. He has now LordLauderdale's proxy. All this is consequent upon Lord Rosslyn's accession. Lord Grey has now no one left. No one expressed a wish to turn out theMinisters. 

_March 19. _

It seems that in the House of Commons Huskisson made a friendly speech, finding he can do no harm, and Lord Althorp a very friendly one. In short, everybody seems to be of opinion that the worst thing that could be donewould be to turn out the Government. 

Peel says, and so does Herries, that the House is in favour of an incometax. That what we have determined upon is the best for this year, but thatnext year there must be an income tax. 

Cabinet. Leopold wants more money. It was agreed he should have 70, 000pounds a year loan guaranteed to him for seven years, instead of 50, 000pounds. 

The holders of 4 per cents. Are to have the option of 100 pounds stock 31/2, or 70 pounds stock 5 per cents. Trustees may only convert into the 31/2 per cents. 

_March 20. _

Chairs at 11. They have made some alterations in the letter to the IndianGovernment respecting their conduct, and have praised Lord William for his_perseverance_, &c. This is contrary to the Duke's view and to mine. Ishall see whether I can allow their amendments. 

I find they have likewise altered much in the letter relative to Batta. 

_March 23. _

The Duke, Lord Bathurst, and Rosslyn went away at 2 to the Cabinet, wherethey decided against the Jew Relief Bill. The bishops have intimated thatthey must unanimously oppose it. 

Debate on Lord Clanricarde's motion on the eternal Terceira question. TheDuke spoke very well. The House was flat. The division with proxies 126 to31, 4 to 1. We have now of Whig proxies Bedford, Lauderdale, Wilton, Downshire, Belhaven, Meldrum, and Lord Jersey. 

_March 24. _

Cabinet dinner at Sir J. Murray's. Considered what course should be adoptedupon P. Thompson's motion for a committee to revise taxation. Peel stillhankers after the property tax, and rather unwillingly opposes this motion. However, it will be done on the ground that the remission of such aquestion to a committee would derange, by existing apprehensions and hopes, the whole industry of the country. In fact it would likewise vest theGovernment in the committee. Peel, Planta, and Holmes all think thedivision will be close. I do not apprehend that, if the debate be wellconducted. 

Had a long conversation with the Duke upon Indian matters. Therecollections of his youth are strong upon him, and he still clings to theold forms. 

_March 25. _

Read some evidence before the Commons on the China trade. 

Committee. Examined Mr. Elphinstone. He gave very good evidence. 

House. A flat discussion on the Kentish petition. 

_March 26. _

We had two to one last night. The House not very full. It seemed by nomeans the wish of the House to have a property tax; quite the contrary. 

Mr. Elphinstone re-examined by Lord Lansdowne and others. He gave a verygood evidence, and quite knocked up colonisation. 

_Monday, March 29, 1830. _

Office at 2. Looked over regulations, &c. , relative to the half-castes andconsidered their question. Came to a decided opinion against theiradmissibility to offices which can be held by natives. 

When Lord Carlisle presented the petition I said very little, expressedcompassion for their situation, and a wish to relieve it in any mannerconsistent with the conservation of our empire and the well-being of thegreat body of the native population. I said what they asked was notequality of rights, but privilege. 

Lord King's resolutions on the Corn Laws. A dull debate which lasted tillnine--no division. The Duke did not speak well, and it was unnecessary forhim to speak at all. 

_March 30. _

Committee. Examined Mr. Chaplin, who gave a very good evidence. He isdecidedly against the employment of half-castes. 

I told the Duke at the Committee that I had written to the King immediatelyon Clare's appointment, and afterwards to Sir F. Watson, when I sent thewarrant and had got no answer. The Duke said he would enquire about it. Hethought he should have spoken to the King _before_. However, he wouldsettle it. 

_March 31. _

Committee at 1. Examined Mr. Ricketts, the half-caste, when Lord Carlislehad examined him in chief. Mr. Ricketts did not seem to know much about thelaw. It was odd enough to observe him looking round to me after everyanswer. 

We had afterwards Mr. Baker, a strong contrast indeed with Mr. Ricketts. Hegave very curious evidence relative to the trade of the Arabs of Malabarwith Scinde, the Persian Gulf, and the Red Sea. 

_April 2. _

Cabinet. Question whether the French should be allowed to hire 9, 000 tonsof transports now in the river for the expedition against Algiers. The Dukewas strongly against it. The French had behaved so ill to us, concealingtheir objects from us, and revealing them to other Courts, besidesintriguing with the Pasha of Egypt. 

Aberdeen was for giving the permission. He thought the French wouldconsider it quite a hostile measure if we refused permission. However, permission will not be given. 

Leopold is still negotiating about the money, and it seems doubtful whetherhe will not resign at last. 

_April 3. _

The Company have got into an awkward scrape. It seems they have not madeout their account of the prime cost of their tea as merchants do, that theyhave charged all losses whether from fixed rate of exchange or othercauses, whereas merchants in general state prime cost on a calculation ofthe price in the place where the article is purchased, the othercalculations going in diminution of profit. 

I begin to think the maintenance of the monopoly will be impossible. I havelong thought it very inexpedient. It would leave a sullen, settled feelingof discontent in the minds of the manufacturers and merchants of England. 

_April 6. _

Wrote to the Duke to tell him I had not yet received the Duke ofDevonshire's memorandum respecting Sir W. Rumbold, and that in the meantimeI was getting into as small a compass as possible the information hedesired. 

I added that the liberation of the Nizam changed our position with respectto Sir W. Rumbold, and I should be glad to speak to him about it. 

I reminded him of Lord Clare's appointment, not yet approved by the King. 

_April 8. _

Cabinet at 2. The Committee on the Bank Charter to be taken out ofHuskisson's hands. 

The King was not well yesterday. The Duke recollected Clare's appointment, and thinks I shall have the warrant in a day or two. 

_April 9. _

Wrote to Wrangham, begging him to send me the Cabinet box I desired theCabinet messenger to take to my house yesterday. I think it contained thepapers relative to Russian projects against India. 

I have been so unwell the last two days I have been unable to do any publicbusiness. 

_April 12. _

Had some conversation with Hardinge. He thinks the Duke will not remain inoffice above a year more, and that Peel will then be Minister, and thatPeel looks forward to that now. I said I feared he would be a very RadicalMinister. 

Hardinge thinks Sir G. Murray would be very well satisfied to be Master-General, that he feels the Colonial Office is above him. I doubt, however, if he would like leaving it. If Peel was Minister he would have all theMinisters he could in the House of Commons. 

From what Hardinge heard from Croker I am inclined to think that foolishfellow and others imagine they could go on without Peel. 

I do not think it impossible we may have a dissolution of Parliament ifthere should be a good harvest. 

_April 12. _

Sent the letter and list of Russian papers about China to the Duke. Wroteto Aberdeen and told him so. Observed at the same time that I should bevery glad to make some arrangement with the Portuguese for excluding opiumfrom their Indian ports; but I feared the present state of our relationswith Portugal was not favourable for our doing so. 

_April 13. _

Found in London the papers I had sent to the Duke. He says he is sorry hehas read them. He had thought better of Sir Ch. Metcalfe. The only one ofthe four who writes _common sense_ is Elphinstone. 

_April 15. _

The King was apparently very ill indeed yesterday. 

Received a medal struck for the native troops engaged in the Burmese warfrom Loch, and another to be transmitted to the King. 

_April 16. _

Saw Hardinge, who called upon me at R. 

The King has really been very ill, but certainly not worse than thebulletin made him. 

Sir H. Halford does not go down to-day, nor will there be any morebulletins. 

Hardinge seems to be dissatisfied with Peel, who he says is cold and neverencourages any one. All this is very true. 

I think Hardinge rather looks to the Colonial Office. He thinks Sir G. Murray does not do the business well, and that he would be perfectlysatisfied with the Ordnance. Hardinge does not like Ireland, yet, I think, he will find he goes to Ireland. The Duke certainly wishes it. 

The Duke of Clarence is very fond of Hardinge, and tells him all he meansto do when he is 'King William. ' This seems much confined at present tochanges in uniforms. He means to make the Blues _red_, and to have goldlace for all the Line, and silver lace for all the Militia. 

_April 17. _

Saw Sir A. Campbell at 1. He came about his claim upon the Company. I toldhim I transacted all business of that nature in writing. I gave himinformation as to the proposal of the Chairs, which is to give him staffallowances for a year, instead of Batta, by which he would gain about15, 850 R. , or about 1, 580£. What he wants is about 25, 000£, or thedifference between that and the value of his pension of 1, 000£ a year--thatis, 15, 000£. 

Went to the Foreign Office. No news there or at the Treasury of the King. The report is that he is better. 

Read there for an hour and a half. 

Polignac offers, if it were desired, to sign a Convention upon theprinciples laid down in Aberdeen's despatch as to Algiers. 

He seems out of humour altogether with Leopold; Villele seems to have nogreat disposition to come in, although his friends have. He says theOpposition will in any case have 180 votes in the new Chamber. 

Spain will withdraw her Minister and have only a Chargé d'Affaires atLisbon if Don Miguel will not grant the amnesty. 

France does not remonstrate against the abolition of the Salic Law inSpain, as she precluded herself by treaty from the succession. The law wasotherwise in the old Spanish monarchy. [Footnote: The Salic law wasintroduced by Philip V. Of Spain, the first Bourbon king, whose own claimwas through his mother, daughter of Louis XIV. , who had renounced thesuccession. ] The abrogation of the Salic law is directed against DonCarlos, &c. , and the King naturally wishes his own child to succeed, be thechild male or female. 

Saw Mr. Downie on the part of Mr. Chippendale, the man who was removed bythe Sign Manual from the service of the India Company. The Court and theBengal Government did not view his offence in the same light. The poor manis ruined, but the feelings of humanity must not interfere with theinterests of the public service. His removal was a good hint to the wholebody of civil servants, and did good. 

_April 18. _

Brought Lord Clare home after church, and showed him my letter to Mr. Elphinstone respecting the chiefs of Kattywar and the Guicowar. Talked overthe policy to be pursued with regard to them. 

He is to leave England in September, and means to go to Marseilles. 

_April 19. _

Lord William seems to have been much gratified by my letters in May andJune affording the pledges of my support and the assurances of myconfidence. Afterwards, however, he received my letter of July, intimatingcensure for the relaxations of the rules restricting the residence ofEuropeans, and a difference of opinion as to the Government leavingCalcutta. His letters are in a very good tone and temper. 

I sent all the letters to the Duke. 

_April 20. _

Drove to the Foreign Office and saw Aberdeen. Went to enquire how the Kingreally was, for the bulletin of yesterday says his difficulty of breathingcontinues. Aberdeen said the King really was not so ill as the bulletinrepresented him to be. There was no present danger. The Duke thinks heunderstands the King's case exactly, and says he has no water on the chest, as is reported, but is _rather fat_. It is said the seat of pain is theprostate gland. The people about him are seriously alarmed. 

Advised Hardinge, who dined with me, to come forward on the Terceiraquestion, which he seems inclined to do. Peel will be much obliged to him. I told him I thought the strong position was this: 'We are at liberty toprevent that which, if we permitted, would be a cause of war. ' I think Ishall write a memorandum for him. 

_April 21. _

Wrote to Astell to ask if he would buy the Russian China papers. I told himat the same time that a Russian ship was going at the charge of the RussianGovernment to India, Swan River, and China as a commercial feeler. 

Cabinet at 2. The King is rather better, but in a precarious state. Theembarrassment in his breathing comes on in spasms. His digestion is good, and they think there is no water. The Duke will urge him to have regularbulletins published. He goes down tomorrow. He has not seen him since thisday week. The King is in excellent humour with everybody, and never wasmore kind to the Duke. 

There has been a short difference between the King and Peel. The Kinghaving sent a pardon to Ireland for a Mr. Comyn, who burnt his house todefraud his landlord, &c. , Peel insisted, and the man will be hanged; theLord Lieutenant having taken upon himself to give a reprieve only, and notto promulgate the pardon. 

The Duke described the King as a bold man, afraid of nothing if hisMinisters would stand by him, and certainly neither afraid of pain or ofdeath. I did not think this of the King. In general he has been supposed tobe a coward. 

In Cabinet it was decided to authorise and advise the Lord Lieutenant toput into execution the law for suppressing the association against thatwhich O'Connell is now endeavouring to organise, and at the same time togive silk gowns to Shiel and two or three other Roman Catholic barristers, omitting O'Connell. However, this last measure will be mentioned to theKing, although a King's letter is not required. 

We had afterwards a talk, and a long one, about Algiers. 

Prince Polignac sent a despatch to the Duc de Laval, giving explanationssatisfactory upon the whole, but mixed up with matter accusatory of us. Ofthis despatch the Duc de Laval was not authorised to give a copy. We want awritten declaration of their views, none other being official. They areafraid of their Chambers, and of giving a pledge to England different fromthat which they have given to other Powers, and with which other Powershave been satisfied. Peel thinks they will promise to abstain frompermanent occupation, and exact an amount of indemnity so large, withoccupation as a security, as to make that occupation permanent. If they gotpossession of Algiers, I do not believe they will ever give it up--saywhat they may. 

Peel objected to me saying what declaration would satisfy us, as in theevent of their deceiving us, or quibbling, it would then seem to be ourfolly which had led to it. 

All seem to view the comparative statement of the prices of teas in thesame light that I do, as fatal to the monopoly. 

_April 23. _

Rode to the Treasury to enquire after the King; but there were so manywaiting to see the Duke I did not wait. The King is rather better. 

_April 24. _

A letter from Lady Macdonald enclosing one from the Nain Muhan to herself, very complimentary and really pretty. She is to be at Tabriz in October. 

The King has had two good nights. 

Peel's letters to the Lord Lieutenant respecting the suppression of the newAssociation and the appointment of Catholic King's Counsel was circulated. 

_Sunday, April 25. _

Read Aberdeen's and the Duke's speeches on the Terceira question, andafterwards wrote a memorandum for Hardinge's use, bringing into a shortcompass all the strong points of the case. 

Mr. Sullivan called upon me after church, and told me his son remained inIndia. It is very extraordinary that he should be glad of this, as he mustbe without the hope of ever seeing him. 

_April 26. _

Cabinet at 3. The King has had another good night. He has, however, hadanother attack. His pulse is in a weak state. He seems oppressed by fat. Heis become alarmed about himself, which much increases danger in such acomplaint. Consequently all the _entourage_ is alarmed too. 

The drawing-room and levee are to be postponed _sine die_. Trade andagriculture are both flourishing. The only embarrassment arises out of theuncertainty as to the King's health. 

Leopold is to have a loan of sixty millions, guaranteed in equal portionsby the three Powers. The loan to have a sinking fund of 3 per cent, to bepaid in equal portions in eight years. The guarantee is to Leopold and hisdescendants, being sovereigns of Greece. 

Thus he has obtained almost all he asked, and what he most wanted, themoney. 

Peel seems to think the King's death by no means improbable. If it shouldtake place, Parliament would adjourn till after the funeral, and then bedissolved. 

In the House Lord Durham, in presenting a petition against the East Indianmonopoly, said he gathered from what had fallen from His Majesty'sMinisters that they were determined to maintain it. 

I said, 'I cannot admit that anything which has fallen from me, or, in mypresence, from any of my noble colleagues, can justify the noble lord inassuming that His Majesty's Government have formed any determined opinionupon the subject. '

_April 27. _

House. East Retford case. The Duke showed me a letter from Halford whichgives a very alarming account of the King. He went on much the same tillhalf-past three this morning, when Halford was sent for and remained tillhalf-past eight. The embarrassment of breathing was considerable. The Kingwas rather better at half-past ten, when the bulletin was dated. Halfordsays he can tell more than he can write. He does write that there is_water_, and it is evident the King is very much alarmed. 

From the letter I should say he could not live many weeks. 

In the House Lord Strangford told me that Sir W. Seymour [Footnote:Recently appointed a judge at Bombay. ] was dead. He died in December--ashort time after the birth of his son. 

Really the mortality amongst judges is awful. 

_April 28. _

Went to Guildhall to be present at the trial of Serjeant Kearney for theassault on Astell. I was not called as a witness. The man was veryintemperate indeed, and abused Astell very much. He spoke of my kindinterference, &c. , but made a mistake in imagining that I had advocatedwith the Chairs the loan he asked of 250£. I came away as soon as theRecorder began to sum up. It was curious to see how justice wasadministered. The Recorder, an old twaddle, who talked half the time withthe accused, and allowed him to make speeches instead of putting questions, and Sir C. Hunter, Sir J. Shaw, and another alderman!

Went to the office at 3. Loch, with whom I had some conversation atGuildhall, told me he had heard the explanation Melville intended to giveof the matter of prime cost, and he thought it satisfactory. Wortley saidArbuthnot by no means thought it satisfactory, but was to put thequestions. Wortley said Arbuthnot told him the Duke had read the evidenceand was himself satisfied the monopoly could not be maintained. 

Cabinet dinner at Lord Bathurst's. The Duke was at Windsor this morning. Hedid not see the King because the King refused to see the Duke ofCumberland, and begged the Duke would not see him unless it was verypressing, that the rebuff to the Duke of Cumberland might be less. Accordingly, the Duke sent in on paper what he had to say, and he got twosignatures, although they were given very reluctantly. The King says it is_unkind_ in those about him to urge him to sign, as they know howdistressing it is to him. In fact _yesterday_ it would have been death tomove his arm. We are to meet on Friday to consider what shall be done. Somemeans must be devised of getting signatures, for his state may last somemonths. He was ill for four hours yesterday evening. Halford was with himall the time, and held his hand. Halford says he is sure the King wouldhave died had he not been there. He was nearly dead as it was. However, after this attack, which began at half-past two, he had a solid dinner andslept well, and this morning he woke much relieved, but _with a dropsy_--that is, an external dropsy, the water being between the skin. Knightonthinks some must be upon the chest; but the two others are inclined tothink not. He may live days, weeks, or even months; but I doubt his livingweeks. On Sunday he saw the women, and on Monday too. He was then alarmedabout himself. Now he mistakes water for gout, although his legs areswelled to double their usual size. The physicians do not undeceive him. However, the public will find it out. He has not read the newspapers fortwo days _He_ is much relieved by the effusion of water. 

It seems the medical men when they read the first bulletin said, 'It mustend in water. '

Lord Rosslyn has looked into the Acts, &c. , and finds there is nodifficulty at all about the money vote on the Bills. They all went on atthe accession of the present King. 

The Duke was requested by the physicians and the people about the King notto mention Shiel's proposed appointment; to make it, if he thought itessential, but to spare the King all discussion. Of course, as it isthought the King would be agitated, the Duke has neither mentioned it nordone it. 

There was in circulation a letter from the Duke of Northumberlandexpressing his extreme satisfaction at the decision of the Government withrespect to the putting down of the new associations, and likewise withrespect to the making of the Catholic silk gowns. 

The bulletins are to be now shown at St. James's; a lord and groom-in-waiting will be there. 

Received a letter from Sir J. Dewar [Footnote: Chief Justice of Bombay anda colleague of Sir W. Seymour. They were the two judges referred to in theletter to Sir J. Malcolm. ] to inform me of the death of Sir W. Seymour. Hedied more of the fear of dying than of fever. His apprehension for LadySeymour affected him very much. She was confined the day he was taken ill. 

_April 29. _

Halford thinks worse of the King. There have been other attacks ofembarrassment of breathing. I do not myself think he will live a fortnight. 

There was an excellent division on Terceira about 2-1/2 to 1. Hardinge wasnot wanted. 

_April 30. _

Cabinet. The King very ill yesterday. The least exertion brings on anattack. Halford thinks he has water in the abdomen and chest. He had somesleep, and was better in the morning when they issued the bulletin, whichsays his symptoms were alleviated. However, the bulletin so littlecorresponds with his real state that they think he saw it. It seems to benow more an affair of days than of weeks. It may happen at any moment. 

Peel suggested the possible case of both Kings dying before an Actappointing a regent, and we may be called upon to provide for it. TheDuchess of Clarence would be Queen Regent. 

We talked about a Bill for enabling the King to give authority for theaffixing of the Sign Manual. 

To avoid delay and the examination of physicians Rosslyn proposed that, ifthe King would sign it, there should be a message. 

It will be arranged that there shall be two Ministers present-one tocountersign, the other to affix the stamp. 

The Attorney- and Solicitor-General were called in. They evidently thoughtthe King's mind was gone as well as his head, for they proposed adelegation of the Royal authority. 

Planta called upon me to ask more particulars as to the office of Signer ofthe Writs. It seems it comes in lucky time to oblige Lord Chandos, who haslong wanted something for a Mr. Wentworth, and nothing could have happenedmore conveniently for the Government. 

_May 1. _

Met Lord Rosslyn, who told me he and Lord Bathurst met every committee dayLord Londonderry and Lord Durham on the Coal Committee. Sometimes theycould not get a fifth, and then they adjourned joyfully. Both LordLondonderry and Lord Durham continued most wrong-headed upon the question. 

_May 2. _

I rode as fast as I could to town as soon as church was over (for the Dukehad wished to see me before he went to church, thinking I was in town), andin Brompton met Lord Rosslyn, who told me there was no Cabinet, and thatthe Duke had found the King better than he expected. 

Rode at once to Apsley House. The Duke was gone out, having left word heshould be back soon if I came. I waited an hour. When he returned he toldme he had no idea I was out of town, or he would not have written. LordCombermere had asked to see him, which he could not refuse. 

The Duke said that on Friday the King was much better. The miracle whichthe physicians had said could alone save him seemed accomplished. Greatquantities of ether-quantities much greater than are usually given-hadapparently restored him, and all were in good spirits, when, feelinghimself much better, he drank a great deal and was actually sick! Thencethe indifferent night of Friday. On Saturday he was better again, and whenthe Duke saw him, seemingly very well, quite alive--in very good humourwith everybody, and quite without nervousness. However, he passed a badnight, as the bulletin says, probably in consequence of having drunk again. Sir H. Halford was quite in tears on Saturday, not more on account of theKing's state than on account of his own professional disappointment. He hadthought on the Friday that he had accomplished a miracle. They have treatedthe King as if he had been a hospital patient, and have _épuisé'd_ theresources of art boldly applied to his case. 

The King did not express the least apprehension to the Duke; but to thewomen he speaks of his danger, and as if he was a dying man. The Dukethinks he does this to try and vex Lady Conyngham. 

The thing most surprising to me is the Duke's opinion of the King's firmcourage. He said he had seen him not only now, but before, when he wasconsidered not to have twenty-four hours of life in him, yet he, knowinghis situation, was perfectly firm. 

Before the Duke came I had some talk with Holmes, whom I met with Drummond. Holmes said they could finish the session by the end of July if they actedwith that view. I fear it will last much longer if the King lives, and ifhe dies, that we shall have a six weeks' session in August and September. Holmes said he did not think the King's illness by any means diminished thestrength of Government. He thought the friends of Government were rathermore disposed to come down, and he could on any great question get 300. 

He had gone round on Wednesday to the reporters, and had told them theywould never have a holiday if they reported speeches on a Wednesday, sothey did not, and they will not. This will put an end to all speechifyingon holidays. 

_May 3. _

Cabinet. Saw a letter from Halford to the Duke. The King was 'in a mostdistressing, not to say alarming, state' from eight to-day evening to half-past three. He cannot get sleep. Halford says it was 'a gigantic struggle. '

The Duke saw Lord Combermere to-day, having received the letters I sent himbefore the interview. The Duke told him the Government were parties to thedisapprobation expressed by the Court of Directors. 

Lord C. Threw the whole blame upon Lord W. Bentinck. He had carried theorder into execution without communication with him, 'and had told the armyif they objected to it, they might memorialise. '

This _I do not believe_. 

Lord C. Said the army was not in a state approaching to mutiny, and neverhad been. 

He had not said it was in his minutes (but he did in a letter); as to theminutes of the other members of Council, he was not responsible for them. They were civilians. Besides, Lord W. Wished to go up the country. He hadreceived in July a letter telling him he was not to go except in a case ofemergency, then the Government was not to move from Calcutta, and heendeavoured in his minute and the others in theirs to make an apparent caseof emergency that they might move. 

As to the last point there is an anachronism, as the orders not to leaveCalcutta _as a Government_ arrived after the minutes were recorded. 

The Duke told Lord Combermere that all the orders for reduction ofexpenditure having proved inefficacious, it was necessary for theGovernment here to take reduction into their hands, and it was very naturaland obvious to enforce an order twice repeated and already obeyed at theother presidencies. 

When the army assumed the tone which appeared in the memorials, it wasimpossible for the Government to do otherwise than insist upon theenforcement of the order. They had expected from him that his wholeinfluence would have been used to strengthen the Government and to preventany ebullition of feeling on the part of the army. Lord Combermere left theDuke very angry. If the King had been well he would have joined LordAnglesey. As it is, I expect he will oppose the Government. Lord Hill sawhim for a few minutes, and had only some unimportant conversation with him. He told Lord Hill he had made thirteen or fourteen lacs. He made seven lacsby prize money at Bhurtpore. 

The French have not yet given a written explanation as to Algiers. Theirarmy is said to be in very fine order. 

Leopold seems to have insinuated that our yielding on the subject of theloan was sudden and late, &c. Aberdeen understood him to allude to theKing's illness, and to impute our concession to the wish to get him out ofthe way. He took no notice of it, and treated the thing as settled. 

Preparations have been made for the event of the King's death. 

Peel has been obliged to leave London, as his father is dying. 

_May 4. _

Committee. No witnesses. Walked with Lords Bathurst and Rosslyn to theDuke's. The bulletin is good. The King had some sleep and is better. Halford's account, too, is better. The King slept six hours, but the waterwas so much increased about the legs that they have made punctures to drawit off. Upon the whole the account leads one to suppose the thing will beprotracted. 

In the House of Commons last night, Goulburn was obliged to withdraw thevote of 100, 000£. For Windsor Castle and refer it to a Committee upstairs. The expectation of a dissolution is acting powerfully on votes, and hewould have been beaten. The Duke approved entirely of his having withdrawnthe motion. 

The continuance of the King in this state would be highly inconvenientindeed. There would be no possibility of carrying on the money business inthe House of Commons. 

In the House of Lords we had a motion from Lord MountCashel for an addressfor a commission to enquire into the abuses of the English and IrishChurch. No one thought it worth while to reply to him. 

_May 5. _

Read and altered a letter relative to the new arrangement of civilallowances. 

Elphinstone approved generally of what I proposed--which is. 

1. To depose every chief who shall harbour banditti. 

2. To oblige them to give up refugee criminals under the same penalty. 

3. To engage as many as possible to abandon their heritable jurisdictions. 

4. To remit the arrears. 

5. To form a local corps in which the chiefs and their relations should beofficers (with only two or three Europeans) to maintain order. This corpsto be a sort of bodyguard to the Resident. The robbers to be admitted asprivates. 

6. Troops to be brought if necessary from Cutch. 

7. Every measure to be adopted to encourage the growth of cotton. 

These things I shall throw into a letter, which, however, will not be senttill Clare goes out. 

We talked of native education. I read to E. My alterations of the letter oflast July relative to his plans for education, with which he seemedsatisfied. 

He seems generally to approve of my views upon that subject, particularlyof uniting the English with the native classes at the several colleges, andteaching the natives useful knowledge. 

They should be examined in the regulations of the company. 

Office, but first saw Hardinge, who seems full of the Duke of Clarence, with whom he is high in favour, as having, urged by Wood, had severalthings done for the young FitzClarences. 

He said the Duke thought the King might live four months. 

Cabinet dinner at the Chancellor's. The Duke saw the King, who looked verywell, and seemed cheerful and in good humour. 

He was very ill yesterday. Black in the face, and the ends of his fingersblack. They think he will go off suddenly in one of these attacks. 

Little water came from one leg, and they will scarify it again. 

O'Reilly, who probably performed the operation of scarifying, and who mustknow the state of the King, whom he saw daily, declared positivelyyesterday to Lord Maryborough, and with a face of surprise, that there wasno water. 

The Duke of C. Saw the King on Sunday, and was at Windsor and probably sawhim to-day. 

The Duke of Sussex has lent the King an easy chair, and affectionatemessages have passed between them. 

The Bishop of Chichester is now at Windsor, the Lord and Groom and Equerryin waiting, two physicians, besides O'Reilly and Sir Wathen Waller andKnighton. 

When they told the King they must make a puncture in about four hours, hedesired it might be made at once if it was necessary. 

The Duke told the King he had told Sir H. Halford he would always find himintrepid--with which the King was much pleased. 

He said when he saw a thing was necessary he always made up his mind to it. 

Wortley told me the Household betted the King would be at Ascot. 

By-the-bye, Wortley did very well last night in not allowing Wynne to leadhim into a speech on the half-castes. He spoke very officially andproperly. I complimented him upon it. In fact it is an act of forbearancein any man, but especially in a young man, to throw away a speech. 

Precedents have been looked into, and every necessary step is known, shouldthe King die. 

The Duke will immediately go in uniform to the Duke of Clarence and advisehim to come to his house in town. 

A sketch of the speech will be prepared, but kings like making thedeclaration to the Privy Council themselves, as it is the only thing theycan do without advice. 

Peel's father died on the 3rd. 

_May 6. _

Left my card with Lord Combermere, who called yesterday. 

The bulletin states the King to have been better yesterday, but to have hada bad night. 

The private letter to the Duke says he passed the night wretchedly, andwith much inquietude. They find it necessary to make further punctures, andhave sent for Brodie. 

The King spoke to Halford for some time with much composure and piety as tohis situation. 

Lord Bathurst looked into the precedents in Queen Anne's reign, and at thedeclarations of several kings on their first meeting their Privy Council. 

House. A good and useful speech from Lord Goderich on the funded andexpended debt. He showed that the receipt from taxes was about the same asin 1816, although 9 millions had been taken off, and that the interest ofthe National Debt would, in 1831, be reduced 44 millions below its amountin 1816. 

Cabinet at half-past ten at Aberdeen's. A letter from Leopold, endeavouringto throw upon us the blame of delay for two months, and treatingacquiescence in his terms of loan as a _sine quâ non_. Now the terms wepropose are not _exactly_ the same, as we make a payment by annualinstalments a part of it, and I expect he will break off at last; but hewill wait till the King is actually dead. 

_May 7. _

A very good account of the King. He has passed twenty-four hours withmitigated symptoms. 

Dined with Sir J. Murray. I must next year have an Indian dinner. 

_May 9. _

Read as I went to town to Cabinet, and returned in the carriage Cabell'smemorandum on the Hyderabad transactions. 

The Duke read the letter he had received from Sir H. Halford. It gave a badaccount of the King. Yesterday was a day 'of embarrassment and distress, 'and he is swollen notwithstanding the punctures made by Brodie. He isanxious about himself, and must know his danger, yet he talks of thenecessity of having a new dining-room at the Cottage ready by Ascot. 

We had much conversation respecting the law asserting his power ofdisposing of his property by will. 

The Chancellor was not there. He went to Windsor. 

The other matters considered were merely the mode of dealing with severalquestions to be brought on next week. It seems to be clear that nodependence whatever can be placed in the House of Commons. Every man willvote for his constituents. 

No answer has been received from Prince Leopold. 

My apprehension is that the King cannot live ten days. 

Lord Londonderry went to Windsor yesterday and saw the physician. He had adinner afterwards at his villa, and told every one, the Lièvens beingthere, that the King was much worse than he had ever been. This was untrue, for the Duke left Windsor after Lord L. , and when he left the Castle theKing certainly was not worse, but rather better. I have no doubt Lord L. Managed to tell Wood, [Footnote: Lord Londonderry's brother-in-law, havingmarried Lady Caroline Stewart, also sister-in-law of Lord Ellenborough. ]and Wood would tell the Duke of Clarence, who would think he was ill-usedand deceived. 

_May 10. _

The Duke will read the Hyderabad memorandum as he goes down to Windsor onWednesday. 

I told him of the alteration in the treaty with Nagpore. 

The Chancellor was at Windsor yesterday. He did not see the King. Thephysicians seemed to think it could not last a week. He is greatly swollen, and generally. 

Lord Bathurst went to Windsor to-day. His account was a little better, buthis expectation did not go beyond a fortnight. In the meantime thephysicians are afraid of telling the King of his danger. 

Sir W. Knighton sat up with him last night, and was much alarmed by one ofthe attacks, not having seen one before. However, he did not call Sir H. Halford. 

The probability is that the new Parliament will meet in the last week inJuly. 

The Speaker says the House of Commons is like a school two days before theholidays. They do not know what mischief to be at. 

Lord Rosslyn seems to think all sorts of intrigues are going on, and hassome little doubt as to the Duke of Clarence. I have none. 

House. E. Retford again. Wrote to Lord Holland when I came home to call hisattention to the Hickson Nullity of Marriage Bill. I cannot take a part;but he must do so if he wishes to preserve his grandfather's clause. 

_May 11. _

Heard from Lord Holland, who is fully alive to the consequences of theBill. He thinks I am right not to take a part. 

There was an indigo-planter before the Committee to-day. It seems, as Isupposed, to be just as unnecessary for indigo-manufacturers to be indigo-growers as it is for maltsters to be great farmers. This man took out nocapital and he had no licence; yet he was permitted to reside and take alease, and the agency houses lent him money at 10 and 12 per cent. 

The judge, Sir T. Strange, was a sensible man. He deprecated theintroduction of English law into the provinces. 

The King is getting weaker, which the physicians dread more than hisspasms. It is thought he can hardly last a week. 

Read the memorandum on Hyderabad a second time, and sent it with theproposed letter and alterations to the Duke. 

Prepared materials for Lord Stanhope's motion about shipping on Thursday. 

_May 12. _

Cabinet dinner at Lord Rosslyn's. 

The Duke saw the King to-day. He said there was a decided alteration sinceWednesday last. He was now in appearance an invalid, but not a dying man. His body is very much swollen. They took several quarts of water from hisfeet yesterday. He is good-humoured and alive. His eyes as brilliant asever. His voice a little affected. His colour dark and sodden. 

The Duke thinks he may die at any time; but may live a fortnight or tendays--Knighton thinks so too. The other physicians think worse of him. 

He called for the 'Racing Calendar' yesterday. They were afraid he wouldcall for the newspaper. 

Knighton found he was not aware there were now any bulletins. 

Knighton proposed to him the taking the sacrament, as he did not take it atEaster. He said he would think about it, but to be better before he tookit. His taking it now might lead to the publishing of more bulletins. 

He continues to take the greatest interest in the improvements at thelodge. 

After dinner we talked only of the things necessary to be done on a demise. 

Lord B. Seemed to say we _could not_ have the Duchess of Clarence asRegent, because there was no precedent. I trust this will be got over. 

Leopold has written an unsatisfactory answer to the last letter about theloan. However, he goes. 

The Porte has acquiesced in the arrangements of the protocol, so Leopold isPrince Sovereign of Greece. 

The Duke read Cabell's memorandum to-day. He thinks Cabell proposes doingmore than should be done. He has a strong feeling as to the scandalousnature of the whole transaction. Lieutenant-Colonel Arabin has beeninfesting the Chancellor upon the subject. 

_May 13. _

Dined at four. Rode to the office and back, and to the House. 

Prepared for Lord Stanhope's motion for returns on shipping, &c. 

The Duke had a great deal of information, and answered Lord Stanhope. Ispoke, however, afterwards, as I had some new facts. Then E. Retford tillnine. 

Read letters from Sir John Macdonald and a paper he enclosed from'Blackwood's Magazine' in 1827 on the invasion of India by the Russians. 

_May 14. _

Colonel Briggs called. He is a clever man. He will prepare for me amemorandum on the composition of the native army. He seems equallyconversant with revenue, judicial, and military matters. 

House. E. Retford as usual. The King is much relieved by the draining ofthe water from the punctures; but the wounds gave him much annoyance lastnight. The fear is they may lead to mortification. Lord Rosslyn and I godown on Sunday to Windsor to enquire. 

_May 15. _

Astell has sent to Lord Combermere the letter lately despatched to India inwhich the conduct of the several members of Government is commented upon asregards the Batta question. Lord Combermere only asked, as far as Irecollect, to know upon what grounds his conduct has been censured. I toldAstell to tell him the censure rested entirely on official documents withwhich he must be acquainted. The Duke was very angry with Astell, when Itold him of it after the Cabinet, and expects a question in the House ofLords. 

I told Astell the letter ought not to have been given. It reveals what hasbeen done with regard to the Batta question, and the news may possiblyreach India through the press before the Government obtain it. 

Cabinet at half-past four. Not only have the Turks acceded to thearrangement for Greece, but the Greeks have done so too. Leopold adheres tohis memorandum of March, and wants the power of drawing as much as hepleases of the loan at any time. 

He will be invited to meet the Plenipotentiaries or to send a person tomeet them to discuss this point. The people about him say he means to breakoff. If he should, Peel thinks we could not do it upon a better point, andhe is right. 

The King is decidedly better. The Duke saw him to day. He was looking morehealthy. He has had some refreshing sleep. He is more likely to live thanto die. The only danger is from mortification in consequence of thepunctures; but his constitution is so good that in all probability he willavoid this danger. This wonderful recovery quite changes our position. Inall public business we must now calculate upon his living--at least tillthe end of the Session. 

Lord Morpeth is to make a motion for the repeal of the Banishment Clause inthe last Libel Act. To the repeal of that clause, which is inoperativeagainst the common libeller, we have no objection, and the Attorney-Generalis pledged to it; but the House of Lords would not like, and the King wouldnot endure, the repeal of that provision without the substitution of someother security. That proposed by the Attorney-General is the requiringsecurity to the amount of 500L. From two sureties that the editor shall pay_fines_ on account of libels. This is reasonable, and would to some extentprevent the putting up, as is now done, men or women of straw as editors, who have no means of paying fines. The other proposal of the Attorney-General, that the types should be seizable to whomever they may belong, isobjectionable and would hardly be carried. Peel is very sorry the questionis stirred at the present moment. The press is generally with us orquiescent, and the 'Morning Journal, ' [Footnote: It had been obliged to payheavy damages for a libel on the Duke of Wellington. ] a paper instituted tooppose the Government, has within these few days been given up altogetherfrom the want of support. Certainly this is not the moment at which it isdesirable to appear to commence an attack upon the Press--and the Attorney-General can do nothing that will not be suspected by them. 

The Duke has written a memorandum on the Hyderabad affair. 

_May 16. _

Read the Duke's memorandum; he mistakes the law. However, I cannot writenotes upon his memorandum without the Act of Parliament. The King had anindifferent night, but still feels better. I only met Lord Bathurst, whotold me so. He had not seen the private letter. 

Had a long conversation with Lady C. Wood at Lord Camden's about theClarences. It seems there has been a great deal of hope excited in theSpencers. 

They expect Lord Holland to be made Minister, and their son Bob or LordDarnley to be first Lord of the Admiralty!--_Nous verrons_. 

It seems the Duchess of Clarence and the Duchess of Kent were and are greatfriends, and the Duchess of Clarence is very fond of the young Princess. 

_Monday, May 17. _

At eleven set off with Lord Rosslyn for Windsor. We drove to the visitor'sentrance. After a time Sir A. Barnard came. Lord Rosslyn said we did notpresume to ask to see the King, but we were anxious to know how His Majestywas, and to present our humble duty to him. 

Sir A. Asked if we would see Knighton? Lord Rosslyn said it would be verysatisfactory. However, no Knighton came, but a message through Sir A. Barnard that Sir Wm. Knighton had gone in to the King and had mentioned wewere there, and His Majesty had expressed himself very sensible of our kindattention. This I conclude is Knighton's own message, and that the Kingwill never hear we have been. Sir A. Barnard seemed in excellent spiritsabout the King. He had a good night, and is certainly much better. He talksof being able to go to Ascot and to stand up in the carriage, though hecould not go up into the stand. 

We met the Bishop of Chichester going back to town. I suppose he thinks heshall not be wanted. 

Rode down to the House. East Retford. 

The Duke's private account of the King is excellent. 

_May 18. _

Committee. Examined Colonel Briggs, who gave very good evidence indeed. Ordered the attendance of six witnesses for Tuesday, whom we shallendeavour to despatch, and that will enable everybody to go to Epsom onThursday and Friday. 

The King much better. All his symptoms alleviated. 

To-morrow the Duke will get from him his signature to the message for a_stamper_. There are to be three signatures of Ministers, that is, of PrivyCouncillors, to authorise the stamper, who is to be nominated by the Kingto affix the royal stamp to instruments in the King's presence. 

By the account from Marseilles, it appears that there are 11 sail of theline and 28 frigates in the French expedition, in all 97 sails--about 350transports, carrying 75, 000 tons. There will be 30, 500 infantry, besides avery complete equipment of artillery, &c. , 75 battering guns, 4, 000 horses. The Luke of Angoulême's (the Dauphin's) visit has delayed the expeditionfour days. They will probably be on the sea _to-day_. 

Rosslyn was talking yesterday of the _danger_ from this expedition, and theannexation of Algiers to France. I do not fear it--we can, if we managewell, make it very costly by bringing forward the people of Tunis andMorocco, not near the coast, but almost from the desert. We must take careto secure Tunis, and then the French will be no gainers by their move. 

Lord Londonderry made a very foolish speech about foreign policy in puttingoff his motion, which stood for the 25th. Aberdeen promised the Greekpapers on _Monday next_. 

_May 19. _

The Duke saw the King to-day and found him looking better than he did atthe last Council. 

The drain from the legs is now very small. He was annoyed last night bythem and sent for Halford, who sent off for Brodie; but there was nothingof importance. They cannot yet say that he will not ultimately die of thiscomplaint. Knighton thinks he will be an invalid all his life. Tierney saysthey cannot tell for a week whether there is any mischief remaining aboutthe chest. The Duke wished to speak to him about the stamp; but he made anexcuse about his legs requiring some dressing, and the Duke, seeing he didnot choose to talk about business, went away. 

It seems clear that Leopold means to abdicate. 

The Attorney-General has made his libel preventive measure a poor weakinoperative thing, ridiculous, and unconciliating. 

The French Chambers are dissolved as a _coup de théâtre_ on the sailing ofthe expedition, and they are to meet on August 3, by which time they expectto hear of its success. 

A union of parties is expected on the Greek affair. I am not sorry for it. The Huskissonians and Whigs are drawing nearer together. The Tories, on theother hand, are rather approximating to us--so that by the beginning ofnext Session men will be at last in their right places. 

_May 21. _

The King had a bad night. The private letter gave a bad account. He hasbeen _drinking again_, very irritable, _intolerably_ so. Halford says, would neither sit in a chair nor lie in a bed, &c. Halford at last heldstrong language, and I believe told him his life depended on his obeyinghis physician. 

I am very much disappointed indeed at this. I hoped he was really gettingbetter and would live. 

Aberdeen is to allow the instalments of the loan guaranteed to Leopold tobe paid in four instead of eight years if he can keep him to hisprincipality by doing so. 

The French were off on the 18th. There is a partial change in theirMinistry. 

_May 23. _

Rode to the Cabinet at three from Roehampton. The bulletin is that the Kinghad had embarrassments in his breathing. 

The Duke waited two and a half hours before he saw him yesterday. The Kingsigned the two messages, and then said 'the Duke has just caught me intime!' and in an instant there was a gurgling in his throat. He seizedKnighton's arm. The Duke ran for Halford, went out into the gallery wherehe did not find him, then into another room where he was. Halfordimmediately took a bottle from the table and gave the King something whichseemed to relieve him. 

The Duke thinks the King was in pain three or four seconds; but it was aminute and a half before he was relieved. He then did not speak; but made amotion with his hand for the Duke to go. 

He had just before been talking of going to Ascot and then to Aix-la-Chapelle. 

The King was perfectly satisfied with the proposed arrangement for thestamp. 

He asked the news, was told Leopold was behaving very ill, and agreed. 

As to Algiers he was told the note of the French Minister wasunsatisfactory, and that it was under consideration whether a note shouldnot be presented. He thought it right. 

The Duke's opinion is that if the King should be seized with one of thoseattacks when no one was with him, he would die. 

The opinion of Halford and the others is that the disorder is mortal; buthe may live six weeks or two months. 

The punctures are healed. They are afraid of opening them again for fear ofmortification, and can only proceed by medicines. 

The King's state seems distressing. He can neither remain quiet in hischair or in his bed. He is in a state of constant restlessness. 

The Duke of Cumberland was there to-day, but the King had desired he mightnot see him. 

Leopold has declined. He sent a note to that effect on Friday night attwelve o'clock--very well written, not by himself. Aberdeen thinksPalmerston wrote it. He takes popular ground, and cannot impose himselfupon _a reluctant people_. The fact is Friday's bulletin wrote his letter. 

The Duke thinks he will be shown up. The papers presented to-morrow will beno more than it was before intended to present; but Aberdeen will announcethe _evasion_ of the sovereign, and say that that circumstance will rendernecessary the production of other papers which will be presented as soon asthey can be printed. The whole discussion will turn upon Leopold's conduct. 

Aberdeen will be in the position of the manager of a country theatre who, just as the curtain is about to be drawn up, is obliged to come forward andannounce that the amateur gentleman who had solicited the part of Macbeth, who had attended all the rehearsals, and whose only difficulty, which wasabout money, seemed to be in a fair way of adjustment, had unexpectedlyintimated his intention to withdraw in a printed address to the galleries. 

Forsooth there should have been an appeal to the people of Greece on thesubject of their Government! An appeal to the people of Newgate on thesubject of the new police! [Footnote: This sentiment, however severe, represents the feeling about the Greeks of many Englishmen at that time, and especially of those who, as in the case of naval officers employed inGreek waters, had seen much of them during the war. Their struggle forindependence was undoubtedly disgraced, not only by cruelty, but by atreachery and disregard of faith which, though perhaps attributable to pastsubjection and oppression, was peculiarly odious to English observers. LordEllenborough adopted this view. ]

By a letter of C. Capo d'Istria's, dated 25 M. , April 6, writtenimmediately after his receipt of one from Leopold (after his acceptance), it appears that Leopold had intimated his intention to change his religion. He must have had about forty-eight hours to consider the point. 

Lord Melville had heard that Leopold had consulted Lord Grey and LordLansdowne without acquainting one that he had seen the other. 

_May 24. _

Rode to the office at four to receive the manufacturers. Mr. Crawford wasthere, Finlay being ill. I told them of my plans as to the Indus. Idirected their attention to the point of bringing out in evidence theeffect the stoppage in China had upon the general trade of the East. Iagain desired them to show, if they could, why British manufactures did notgo to China by the country trade. 

Met Aberdeen. Told him I thought, on consideration, that a reply to Leopoldwould lead to an answer from him, to which the Plenipotentiaries could notreply without entering into an undignified discussion with Palmerston, whowould be the real controversialist. 

There should be an answer, but it should be addressed to the Residents, andwhat could not be addressed to them might be stated in Parliament, that is, all relating to letters, conversations, &c. 

I dare say Leopold will publish to-morrow. It is unlucky the French havetroops in the Morea. If they had not, I should be disposed to leave theGreeks to settle their affairs as they pleased, giving them no money. Theywould soon become reasonable. 

The bulletin had 'The King had a sleepless night. '

House at five. The message and address. The Opposition made no objection tothe address, which was carried _nemine dissentiente_. Lord Grey seems toexpect a delegation of the royal authority. I told Lord Holland I thoughthe would be satisfied. 

Then Aberdeen presented the Greek papers, and, having explained theircontents, stated the change of circumstances since Friday night. Herepresented Leopold as having made preliminary objections on other points, but none on any but money since February 20, when he accepted. Within thesefew days other grounds have been taken, and the abdication is on theseother grounds. 

There was much movement amongst the Opposition. Aberdeen was accused ofunfairness. Lord Durham opened the fire, and I prevented Aberdeen fromanswering him. The others--Darnley, Lord Londonderry, and Lord Winchelsea, all for Leopold. In short there is a general union of all those who preferthe rising to the setting sun. We shall have a personal debate. 

We went into E. Retford. I sat by the Chancellor, and worked the Bill forthe King's relief. 

In the House of Commons little was said upon these points. Aberdeen didwell. He can make a biting speech as well as any one, and in a quiet way. 

_May 25. _

The King passed yesterday uncomfortably. He was a little relieved bymedicines during the night. Water is forming again. 

House. The Chancellor explained very well the objects and details of theKing's Relief [Footnote: Relieving him from the necessity of constantsignatures. ] Bill. The only objections made were to reading it to-morrow, and it was conceded that it should be read on Thursday--to its duration, and it was conceded that should last a month. Lord Grey, I hear, says it istoo complicated, that it would have been better to appoint a Custos Regni. I hope he will say that on Thursday. 

There is but little hope of the King's living till the Bill is passed. 

_May 26. _

Hardinge, whom I met in the Park, told me Sir J. Graham informed him therewas to be an opposition _à l'outrance_. That Lord Anglesey was to beMinister Lord Grey would serve with him. Palmerston was to be made a greatman of. Huskisson to have nothing but revenge. The Duke of Richmond was tobe had at all events. All this is childish. 

House. I expected nothing but the Chancellor's Bill, and went at half-pastfive, expecting to find Eldon in the midst of his speech; but I found LordDurham talking about Greece, and soon engaged in the talk myself. Lord Greywas decidedly in opposition. I called the attention of the House to this, that our conduct was to be judged of by the papers on the table--theresignation of Leopold was not alleged to have taken place in consequenceof any act of the Government. If noble Lords chose to put on one side theconduct of the Government, and to make this a mere personal question as tothe conduct of Leopold we were prepared to enter into the discussion. Inspeaking of Leopold I said he 'was connected with this country by some ofits dearest recollections. '

Cabinet dinner. The King's digestion is affected now; but otherwise he iswell. He has had many attacks of embarrassed breathing; but none serious. The Duke of Clarence was in the room with him (the Duke of W. Beingpresent) for a quarter of an hour today. The King talked of his own danger. He said, 'God's will be done. I have injured no man. ' This he oftenrepeated. He said, speaking of his own danger to the Duke of Clarence, 'itwill all rest on you then. ' He was in very good humour, very angry, however, with Leopold--his anger brought on a slight spasm. 

He afterwards talked of going to Ascot, and told the Duke to manage that hemight be able to go to Aix-la-Chapelle. 

He is much pleased with the conduct of both Houses about his SignatureBill. After dinner Aberdeen read His proposed answer to Leopold to beaddressed to the Residents with a copy of Leopold's letter. It was full ofadmissions, many of which Peel noticed. Aberdeen was going to meet Lavalabout it. I objected to sending a copy of the letter to Leopold, as thatwould as much lead to a reply as if they answered him directly. This theCabinet seemed to feel; and if there is a letter to the Residents it willbe printed with the other papers only, and not communicated. 

_May 27. _

Privy Council at one. The Archbishop of Canterbury ordered to frame aprayer for the King's recovery. 

Cabinet. King's Signature Bill amended. Then Aberdeen read a letter fromthe Residents in Greece giving an account of all that took place from thenotification of the protocol to the Senate to their adhesion. Unfortunatelythis letter was not sent to Leopold as it ought to have been, when he onthe 15th sent Capo d'Istria's letter to Aberdeen, and it is thought wecannot publish it. It shows that the adhesion was entire. 

No answer to his letter is to be published. We are to wait till we can havea protocol. Laval would not sign any joint letter to the Residents. Beingso near he prefers waiting for the orders of his Court. 

House. King's Signature Bill passed, with some amendments. It is to lasttill the end of the Session. 

The King's command is to be signified by _word of mouth_, a veryinconvenient mode to a sick man. 

East Retford for a House. 

All Columbia is at war again. The Mexicans are urging the Haytians to land5, 000 men in Cuba. Peel fears war will begin there by the Americans takingTexas. 

Fitzgerald writes from Paris that he thinks the French will not retainAlgiers. That an energetic demand on our part would have drawn fromPolignac a distinct disavowal of the intention. That he does not think thechannel (Lord Stuart) a good one. 

I think Fitzgerald would not at all dislike being made Ambassador at Paris. 

It seems there is a very sore feeling indeed excited by de Peyronnet'sappointment. He thinks the only safety of the Government is in throwingthemselves upon the ultra-Royalists. 

The King is a little better. His stomach begins to bear a little light foodagain. 

_May 28. _ The account of the King not good. 

Cabinet. Found them talking about Scotch boroughs. Aberdeen presented thepapers relative to Leopold in the House. Some conversation as to thecorrectness in point of form of presenting them printed. The rule is topresent papers written by the King's command, and to have them printed forthe immediate use of the House. 

The Commons passed the King's Signature Bill without a word. 

I thought it necessary to determine at once who should be the new judge atBombay, and upon full consideration thought Awdry the best man. TheChancellor had no objection, and I immediately wrote to Awdry to tell him Ishould advise the King to appoint him. 

_May 29. _

Before the Cabinet met Hardinge and walked some time up and down DowningStreet with him. He told me the Duke had proposed an exchange between himand Lord F. Leveson. Hardinge declined; however, he was at last induced toacquiesce. There cannot be a better thing for him, for the Government, andfor Ireland, than his going there. I have always told him so. We may now besatisfied things will go on well there. Lord F. Leveson is a mere boy, andquite unequal to the situation. Hardinge will do admirably and be verypopular. So will she. They will like an Irishwoman. 

_June 1. _

The King had a quiet night. In other respects he is much the same. 

_June 2. _

Employed all the morning on the Greek papers. Cabinet dinner at Peel's. TheKing rather better. They have opened punctures above the knees. 400 paperswere stamped. Lord Farnborough was the stamper. The King was perfectlyalive to all that was going on. 

A steamboat has made the passage from Bombay to Suez in a month and twodays, leaving Bombay on March 20 and reaching Suez on April 22. The lettersarrived here on May 31. The steamboat was detained ten days for coals. There was no steam conveyance from Alexandria to Malta, so we may reckonupon gaining fourteen days at least upon this passage. Besides, the steamvessel was probably a bad one. 

_June 3. _

House. Aberdeen, in reply to a question of Lord Londonderry's, promised allthe protocols of Paris! A most voluminous mass of dull twaddle. The Housepostponed Miss Hickson's divorce case to Lord Salisbury and East Retford. We had only 18 to 69! The Duke seemed very angry, and I heard him speakingto Lord Bathurst of some peer who went out without voting, whose conductseemed to make him very indignant. 

_June 4. _

House. All seems quiet again. Nothing more said about Leopold. There was tobe a meeting to-day at Lord Lansdowne's which the Duke of Newcastle wasexpected to attend. Palmerston was at the last. [Footnote: The conjunctionof these names indicated an alliance of Whigs, Canningites, and Toriesirritated by the Roman Catholic Bill. ] Rosslyn does not know whether LordGrey was. 

The King not going on well by the bulletin; worse by the private account, which, however, I did not see. He has lost his appetite and grows weaker. 

The Duke has not yet read my Nagpore letter; but he will to-morrow. Heseems to agree with me in general views upon the subject of our policytowards the native States. 

_June 5. _

Chairs at 11. They are dissatisfied with Malcolm for sending a steam vesselinto the Red Sea, because he had no important intelligence to communicate!I shall never make these people feel they are at the head of a _State!_

The bulletin to-day is very alarming. The Duke had not returned at half-past 4; but soon after he was seen coming into town looking verymelancholy. The Duchess of Gloucester arrived an hour later. I thought theDuke had stayed to be there at the King's death. Knighton sent up toGoulburn to desire a warrant might be sent down to be stamped conveying theKing's fines, &c. , belonging to the Privy Purse. 

Goulburn very properly refused to send the warrant till he had seen theDuke. This looks as if they did not expect 24 hours. 

He was as ill as possible when Aberdeen saw him yesterday for a fewminutes. 

A Cabinet is summoned for half-past 3 to-morrow. 

All is still again in the House of Commons, as well as with us. They havefound the Leopold line will not do. 

_June 6. _

Cabinet at half-past 3. They all say Scarlett did ill. He did not fightgallantly, and he fought without judgment. 

The Duke said he thought the King was _really_ suffering yesterday; butfrom several circumstances he thought he would live three or four weeks. The physicians said eight days. He was better than when Aberdeen saw him onFriday. No stamping was done. Peel went down to-day. It was hoped somepapers would be stamped. Peel had not returned when the Cabinet separatedat 5. 

Aberdeen brought forward the question of a Bill it is thought necessary tointroduce in consequence of slave-dealing by Brazilian subjects having nowbecome piracy. 

Goulburn seems to be unable to fix any time for the conclusion of theSession in the event of a demise. I fear it will be necessary to sit a longtime to get the necessary votes. There are no less than fifty subjectsunvoted. 

_June 7. _

House. In going down met Goulburn, who said the account of the King wasvery bad. Halford had suggested it would be better for the Duke to go down;which he did. Peel thought the King very much changed indeed in the weekwhich had elapsed since he last saw him. 

_June 8. _

Cabinet at 3. The diplomatic expenses were carried only by 18, and theabolition of the punishment of death for forgery was carried by 13. This isa very serious state of things; with such a Parliament there is nodepending upon the carrying of any measure, and Peel is quite disgusted. Asto the Forgery Bill it will be difficult to find juries to convict when amajority has decided against the punishment of death. I am satisfied thatthe property of many will be exposed to much danger by the abolition of thepunishment of death. 

One Ashe who has libelled the Duke of Cumberland, or written a threateningletter, will be prosecuted as if he had done the same thing against anyprivate individual. 

The Fee Bill will be altered in the Committee (which out of delicacy isindefinitely postponed) and the commissioners continued by endorsement. This is a very ingenious device, saving all the difficulty of dealing withpatent offices and of sharing the present fees. 

Lord Combermere has written a letter to the Duke explaining and defendinghis conduct. This is a trouble brought upon us by Astell. He has writtenrather an impertinent answer to my letter respecting the 600£ for theRussian papers, or rather some one has written it for him and he has onlysigned it. 

I find Mr. Archibald Campbell, who applied yesterday to me for anassistant-surgeoncy, is Campbell of Blytheswood, a good voter and a greatfriend of Lord Melville's, and others. I have given him the surgeoncy. Itold Planta, who is much pleased. 

The Duke was sent for because the physicians intended to acquaint the Kingwith his danger. 

He was restless yesterday. The bulletin says he passed a very distressingday. He walked across the room, however, and will probably last some days. 

In the House, East Retford till 8, when I came away. 

_June 9. _

A better bulletin. Office before 12. Settled with Wortley the 'reasons' forabolishing the College. [Footnote: Haileybury. ]

At 3 Sir P. Freeling came. Went with him and Wortley to Lord Melville's. There will be no difficulty in getting the steam vessel to Alexandria. 

Read Colonel Macdonald's Journal for January, February, and to March 10. Itis not so interesting as the last portion, or rather not so entertaining. These make no doubt from the account of Khosroo Murza and of the others whowent to Petersburg, that the conquest of India by the route of Khiva andBokhara is the favourite object of the Russians, and the whole people seemanimated by hatred of England. 

Cabinet dinner _chez moi_. The Duke did not see the King to-day; the Dukesof Clarence and Cumberland being there, whom he did not wish to see. TheKing is better. There is coagulated lymph in his legs, one thigh, Tierneythinks, is a little swelled. He has had no embarrassment of breathing forthirty-six hours, and slept yesterday as soundly as a child. 

The man who was with the Queen and the Duke of York when they died is withthe King now. When the King was sleeping yesterday Knighton said to him, 'This is not the sleep of death!' The other answered, 'Lord, sir! he willnot die!' They think the King has never thought himself in danger, not evenwhen they told him he was. He seemed flurried, however, or they thought so, for a moment, and then they endeavoured to unsay; but the King, who wasquite firm, said, 'No, no! I understand what you think. Call in the Bishopand let him read prayers. '

Last night he was talking a great deal to Knighton, and was as amusing asever. In constitution and in mind he is certainly a wonderful man. I haveno doubt that the feeling that he is always in representation makes himbehave in the face of death as a man would on the field of battle. 

_June 10. _

The King passed a restless night. He is weaker than he has been yet. 

East Retford. Salisbury concluded his case. 

_June 11. _

House. I expected to get away immediately; but Lord Londonderry made amotion for papers, which led to a discussion of an hour and a half. He wasput down entirely by Aberdeen, who really, with a bad manner, said verygood things. At last Lord Londonderry chose to say the Contents had it anddid not divide, so that the motion was negatived _nemine contradicente_. Most scandalously many went out, not voting against the motion afterAberdeen had declared it would be injurious to the public service to givethe Papers. 

The King rather better, but weaker. 

_June 12. _

Chairs. They did not come till half-past 11. I began to think they hadtaken huff and did not mean to come at all, as I had taken no notice ofAstell's letter. However, they came. They do not much like my Nagporeletter, which it seems is contrary to the line of policy laid down by theCourt and approved of by Wynne. I told them I took the responsibility uponmyself. They were ministerial only. My opinion was confirmed by that ofJenkins and of the Duke. 

Met at dinner, at Hardinge's, Arbuthnot, with whom I had some conversationabout the Report he is writing on the China Evidence. He is to show it tome. The Duke saw the King, who is much better. The King said he would defertaking the sacrament till he was well; but he takes it to-morrow as a_convalescent_. 

_June 13. _

Cabinet at half-past 3. First considered the line to be adopted on theForgery Bill, which seems to be to allow it to pass unaltered, throwing thewhole responsibility on the House of Commons; but Peel is to see thebankers and merchants that he may ascertain what their opinions are now theBill has passed the Commons abolishing the punishment of death for forgery. Peel's idea is that no conviction would be obtained. 

I believe the French and the Russians are so alarmed by the effect producedin France by the continued exhibition of democratic violence in Greece andsuccessful rebellion, that they would be disposed to enter into our viewswith respect to the nomination of a prince rather than leave the questionopen; but that they will procrastinate if they find we will unite with themin giving money which may keep Greece in a state of tranquillity. As toCapo d'Istria, he first wished to prevent the nomination of any prince andto keep the government to himself. When he found that would not do, heendeavoured to frighten Leopold into subserviency; but if he finds he canget money without having a prince, he will frighten other princes andremain there himself. 

It is like paying money in consequence of a threatening letter. If it isdone once there is no stopping. 

I said I believed the dissolution of the Acarnanian army, happen as itmight, would be better than its maintenance, and that the state of anarchyinto which it was pretended Greece would fall if it had not money, would bea better foundation of improvement than the state of military thraldom inwhich it is now held. 

Peel proposed that Dawkins should be instructed under circumstances ofimminent danger to advance money not exceeding 20, 000£, and this would bethe best way of doing it. The Duke has great repugnance to giving anything, and objects to doing what might be considered an unconstitutional act. Hehopes Aberdeen will be able to persuade the other Powers to give 30, 000£each, leaving us out of the subscription. 

The thing was left undetermined. I suggested that it was by no meansimpossible a question might be asked by some 'friend of Greece' whether weintended to give or had given money in consequence of Capo d'Istria'srepresentations, and then what we had done would come out. In fact if theKing was well the matter would be brought before Parliament. 

His illness creates great embarrassment. It is doubtful whether theGovernment can command majorities on questions on which a defeat underordinary circumstances would lead them to resign; but it is known that nowthey cannot resign and cannot dissolve, and the Opposition has no othereffect than that of interfering with the conduct of public business. 

A powerful man would place this strongly before the country and bring theHouse to a sense of its duty. 

The Duke showed me the letter he had written to Lord Combermere in reply tohis, upon my Memorandum. It is _excellent_. 

There is to be a great fight upon sugar. Charles Grant makes a proposition, and Goulburn proposes to modify his original proposition by suggesting theaddition of 6_d_. A gallon to Scotch and Irish spirits and to rum, thusleaving the proportional burthen nearly the same. In addition to this heproposes lowering the duty on the inferior kinds of sugar. 

The French Expedition was in Palma Bay on May 31, awaiting the arrival ofthe last division, which was expected the next day. 

_June 15. _

The King much better. He has been in good spirits about himself, and hasexpectorated, which is thought a good sign. 

In the House of Commons Goulburn's altered plans seem to have succeededwith all parties as far as first impression goes. 

_June 16. _

At the Cabinet dinner spoke to Lord Melville and Goulburn about theembarrassments of the civil servants. Both are very much indisposed togrant the papers asked for by Hume on the subject. I shall write toArbuthnot to do what he can to prevent their being given. 

The Duke got a number of papers stamped--indeed all the arrears, about 400. The King paid more attention to them than he ever did while he was well. Herecollected everything. 

The Duke did not think him so well as when he last saw him. The physiciansdo not like this catarrh. The Duke thought his hand was hotter than usual, that he was larger, and that altogether he was not so well. His judgmenthas hitherto been so correct that I attach much importance to it. 

Peel spoke after dinner with much _ennui_ of his position in the House ofCommons. He complained that it really was not worth a man's while to bethere for so many hours every night. The sacrifice was too great. He saidthe Radicals had brought the House into such a state that no man could dobusiness but themselves. He seemed not well, and thoroughly out of humour. 

We had some discussion about the Forgery Bill. We are to see the Governorand deputy-governor of the Bank, &c. The Duke is much indisposed toacquiesce in the Commons' amendment. 

Peel thinks that after the vote of the House of Commons no verdicts will beobtained; but may not a contrary vote of the House of Lords turn publicopinion into its former course? I think it may. 

_June 17. _

In French newspaper a bad report of the French fleet, which is very muchdispersed. One division was in sight of the shore on May 30 when it came onto blow, and they ran to Majorca. The other divisions will have gone to therendezvous on the African shore, where they will have met no men-of-war andmuch bad weather. The star of Napoleon is set. 

Lord Combermere has written another letter to the Duke, in which heacknowledges his error as to the compact in 1796 and 1801, and says he wasled into it by Col. Fagan. He restates all he before said on the otherpoints, and still wishes his letter to go to the King. 

The King seems to have had a good night. I did not hear the privateaccount. 

_June 18. _

Received last night from Astell a letter in which he speaks of an intendedaddress of his respecting the Nagpore letter. I have told him he hasalready privately told me his opinion--that the Act of Parliament has madeno provision for a representation on the part of the Secret Committee ifthey disagree with the Board, and I cannot receive any such representationofficially. I have further told him that I think any more delay will beinjurious to the public service. 

Wrote a letter to Runjeet Singh to go with the horses. Showed it to LordAmherst, Clare, and Auckland. Lord Amherst and Clare were delighted withit. Showed it to the Duke, who approved. Saw the Duke. 

The King alarmed the princesses yesterday, but the Duke of Clarence did notthink him so ill. I saw the Duke of Clarence's letter to the Duke of W. Halford thinks the expectoration is an additional evil. 

_June 19. _

At 11 Privy Council to hear the appeal of Elphinstone (that is, East IndiaCompany) against Ameerchund Bidruchund, a case of booty. Remained tillhalf-past two, when I was obliged to come away, having a dinner atRoehampton. Indeed I do not think that upon a point affecting the revenuesof India I ought to vote as a judge. 

Brougham ridiculed the Directors who sat there in a mass, nine of them. Fergusson spoke of "the Court. " Brougham said he was not surprised heshould make that mistake seeing such an array of directors. Brougham put it_ad verecundiam_ to the directors whether they would vote upon a questionin which they were directly interested, and in which they had alreadyappeared by Counsel. 

They were and will be very sulky. They will stay away and declinesupporting Government. 

The bulletin is bad. 

Two most impertinent letters from Lord Arbuthnot and Mr. Arbuthnot askingfor, or rather _demanding_, cadetships. They will find I am not to bebullied. 

_June 21. _

The King expectorated blood yesterday. He is failing in strength, and nowcertainly dying. 

Read a memorandum of Wilson's on a proposed remodelling of the army. It isfounded on my idea of bringing it into the form it formerly had, with fewerEuropean officers and more native officers, in higher ranks. He proposeshaving two more European Non-Commissioned officers, a Subadar Major, andanother Subadar, and several minor things. 

_June 22. _

Cabinet. The Duke thought the character of the Government would be affectedif we gave up the Forgery Bill in the Lords, not in consequence of anychange of opinion, but of a majority of 13 in the House of Commons. I amsatisfied the law, as it is, ought to be maintained. In the House LordLansdowne made a speech on moving the second reading, and Lord Winchelseaand the Duke of Richmond said they should vote for the Bill as it was--none, however, taking religious objections, Lord Lansdowne throwing outthat he would consent to make the bill temporary. The Chancellor made avery good speech, expressing his general objections to the Bill as itstands, and reserving his reasons for the Committee. 

The King is rather worse and weaker. 

In the House of Commons last night a mine was sprung and all parties, Whigsand Tories, East and West Indians, united by a trick on the sugar duties. However, we had a majority. 

_June 23. _

It seems Peel and Herries and even Goulburn himself rather doubts whetherthe sugar arrangement will work, and Peel has some doubt as to hismajority. Altogether he is very much out of humour, or rather _ennuyé_, anda very little would induce him to give up. 

Cabinet dinner. The Duke saw the King and some stamping took place. TheKing was much worse than on Saturday. The expectoration is matter from thelungs. Knighton says that if they can keep the bowels right he may live amonth. Halford says if he was an ordinary man he should think he would notlive three days. Tierney says his pulse almost failed while he was asleepthis morning, and he thought he would have died. The Duke says he thinksmore with Knighton than the others. 

The King was perfectly alive to all the business done. He talks of going tothe Cottage still. 

Much talk at the Cabinet dinner as to what should be done as todissolution; but all depends on the time of the King's death, and the stateof public business then. 

Peel, Herries, and all seem to think the Low Party gains, and will gainstrength. Hume, on Whitbread's retirement, is to come in for Middlesex. 

_June 24. _

House. Galway Franchise Bill read second time Counsel were to have beenheard; but the petitioners declined having them. I fear we shall have asharp debate about it to-morrow, and Lord Grey be directly opposed to theDuke, and the worst of it is I do not believe our case is very good. 

Hardinge and Wortley both say we are in a great scrape with these sugarduties, and Ireland, which was all with us, is hostile again on account ofthe spirit and stamp duties. 

Walked as far as Mrs. Arbuthnot's with the Duke. He told me his view of theGalway Franchise Bill, and is very certain of his case. He feels Goulburnhas satisfied no one with his sugar duties. 

The King seems much worse by the bulletin; but the private account was notmuch so. He was said to be worse when Lord Hill left Windsor. I reallybelieve that we are so bothered with sugar duties and other things that animmediate demise and immediate dissolution would be best for us, and forthe country. 

_June 25. _

Went to the Duke about the Galway Bill before the House met. The Duke spokevery well and made a very good case. Lord Grey well, but the Chancellordemolished his speech, and placed the question on such good grounds that itwas useless to speak afterwards; nor was there much subsequent debate. TheDuke of Buckingham made a speech against us, in which he mistook everypoint, and gave me a great disposition to follow him; but I knew if I did Ishould have a whole hornet's nest upon me, and I wished to keep Durham andRadnor in check, or answer them. Had I spoken the debate would have lastedthree hours more. As it was we got away by nine. On the division we had 62to 47. Not brilliant. Our case was excellent. I had feared it would beindifferent. The Chancellor had got it up admirably. Lord Londonderry, theDukes of Newcastle and Richmond, Calthorpe, all the Canningites, of coursevoted against us. Dudley was in the House at one time, but he did not voteagainst us, nor has he once since he went out. 

The King much weaker. 

_June 26. _

At half-past eight this morning I received a Cabinet box containing thebulletin signed by Halford and Tierney of the King's death, and Halford'sprivate letter to the Duke of Wellington. The letter stated that the Kinghad slept for about two hours and woke a little before three. Soonafterwards, Sir W. Waller only being in the room, he suddenly put his handto his breast, and said, 'Good God, what is the matter? This is death?' Hethen sent for Halford. He and the others came, and so soon afterwards as Ihave said, he expired without the least struggle or pain. 

Peel summoned a Cabinet at half-past ten. We met and talked of very littlebut in what dress we should go to the Council, which was to be at twelve. It was agreed we should go in black, shoes and stockings, but not fulldress. However, after I left the room the Duke arrived, and said the King[Footnote: The Duke of Clarence now became William IV] intended to appearin uniform, so the Duke, Lord Bathurst, Rosslyn, and Sir J. Murray, whowere there, put on their uniforms. The group at the Council was mostmotley. Lords Grey, Lansdowne, Spencer, Tankerville, Sir J. Warrender, andsome others being in black full dress. Lord Camden and some more inuniform, which several sent for after they arrived, as Salisbury andHardinge. The mass, however, in plain black, some in colours. The RoyalDukes came in full dress. 

We waited a long time before the Council, almost two hours, a time occupiedin audiences. 

The Duke of Cumberland got the King to send for Lord Eldon, who went in fora minute only. The Duke of Cumberland received his gold stick, and seemedvery active. The Duke of Wellington, Lord Bathurst, Rosslyn, theChancellor, and Sir R. Peel went in together, and personally acquainted theKing with the late King's death. The King said he might not have anopportunity of seeing that day the rest of his late Majesty's confidentialservants; but he told those present that all had his confidence, and thatthey would receive his _entire, cordial, and determined support_. He toldthe Chancellor in a private audience not only the same thing, but that ifat any time he should hear reports of his ceasing to place confidence inhis Government, they were not to be believed. If he had any fault to findhe would at once tell them. 

When the Duke and the others came out from the King we all went to theball-room, where we began to sign the proclamation, and a few, the RoyalDukes and others, had signed, when we were called to the Privy CouncilRoom, where the King soon arrived, attended by the household of the lateKing. He took his seat, and read his declaration. He read it with muchfeeling, and it was well imagined, and will have a good effect. The LordPresident entreated it might be printed. 

I should have mentioned that before the King came in the Council made theusual orders, with the addition of an order for defacing the late King'sstamps, which was accordingly done by the clerk of the Council. 

When the declaration had been read the King took the Scotch oath in theusual form, the Lord-President reading it to him, and the King holding uphis right hand. 

He then said it was a satisfaction to him to find such a Privy Council, andrequested them all to take the oath. 

This the Royal Dukes did first, then the Speaker, that he might go to theHouse of Commons. Then the Archbishop and the Chancellor together, then theDukes, with the Lord President and Privy Seal, then the Marquises, thenothers according to their rank. When all had taken the Privy Councillor'soath the Lord Chancellor took his, and the Clerk of the Council was swornby the Lord President. The King then retired, and the Council ordered asusual respecting the disposal of the late King's body. 

After the swearing in we signed the Proclamation. Some remained to alterthe Liturgy. Queen Adelaide is to be prayed for, and the rest of the Royalfamily. 

The Duke of Norfolk was there as Earl Marshal. He observed he was the onlyperson there who was not a Privy Councillor, and expressed a wish to beone. The Duke mentioned it to the King, who readily assented. He observedthere had been no Duke of Norfolk a member of the Privy Council since thetime of James II. , and that that Duke of Norfolk was a Protestant. The Dukeof Norfolk, however, will consider the oath before he takes it. He wouldhave taken the Earl Marshal's oath to-day, but it was not there. 

We met in Cabinet at 4. 

The only innovations I yet hear of are in the dress of regiments. The Kingintends, as he told Lord Farnborough, to live at Windsor. He intends tohave a battalion of the Guards at Edinburgh, and a regiment of the Line atWindsor. 

I went in, by some misdirection, the wrong way, and found Wood and Sir Ch. Pole waiting for the King. Wood, whom I met near the Horse Guards, as I wasriding down to the Cabinet, told me the King had rehearsed his declarationto him, Sir Ch. Pole, and Lord Errol, before he went into the PrivyCouncil. 

There was no grief in the room in which we waited. It was like an ordinary_levée_. 

The Chancellor went down to the House between the Cabinet and the Council, and took the oaths. 

The Lord Steward was sent for by Peel, and only arrived a quarter beforefour at the House of Commons. 

Lord Holland, Grey, and others seemed to think the Proclamation ought tohave been made to-day, and I think it might have been just as well. 

The Duke of Wellington was much cheered by the people. The Duke was calledout of the Cabinet to see Halford, but we had a long conversation as to thecourse to be pursued with respect to the Parliament, and especially withrespect to the Regency question. 

The House must sit next week, as the sugar duties expire on Saturday next, and Goulburn seems disposed to propose a Bill for the continuance of thepresent duties for a time; to take money on account for miscellaneousservices; to throw over the judicial Bills and end the session at once. 

The stumbling block is the Regency question--whether it should be broughtforward now, and if brought forward, who shall be Regent. 

Peel seems to think we can hardly avoid bringing it on; as the sessionwould have lasted two months in the event of the late King's living, whyshould it not now, when the reason for Parliament sitting is so muchgreater? And what would be the situation of the country if the King shoulddie, leaving a minor Queen?

Peel suggested appointing the Queen Regent for a year. I said, depend uponit, when the King once has her as Regent he will never consent to changeher, and if you appoint her for a year you appoint her for the whole time. 

He afterwards suggested her appointment for a year after the King's deathon account of the probability of her pregnancy. To this I objected, thestate of distraction in which the country would be placed during that year. It is impossible consistently with the constitution to have an Executive, of which the existence shall be dependent on the good pleasure ofParliament. 

Peel then suggested the giving to the King the power of naming either theQueen, the Duchess of Kent, or any member of the Royal family. Theobjection to this is that he ought to name one of the two first--that wegot no security against a bad nomination, which we ought to do. 

The views we ought to have are these: to give all possible strength to themonarchy. This we do not, if we permit a frequent change of the Executive;if we diminish the power of the Crown while in the hands of a Regency. Wewant to give stability to the Government, and this can only be given bymaking the Queen Regent. If we do that we provide, as far as human wisdomcan, for a stable Government of seven years. 

We can in no case _name_ any other person than the Queen, because she maybecome pregnant, and in that event it would be monstrous to make theDuchess of Kent Regent. All we can do, then, is to give the King the optionof choosing the Queen or the Duchess of Kent. He will name the Queen, andshe will be the best. 

It has been observed that all Kings of England die either on Saturdays orSundays. 

_June 27. _

Came up to a Cabinet at half-past three. We had a great deal ofconversation as to the course to be pursued. The Chancellor said that inthe event of a minor succeeding to the throne, all the minor's acts wouldbe valid, and under the responsibility of ministers the Great Seal might beput in the minor's name by the minor's sign manual to an Act creating aRegency. 

It was determined to take the opinion of the Attorney- and Solicitor-General upon this point. 

On the supposition that the law is as the Chancellor states, we consideredwhat should be done. All turns upon our being able to get a temporary Actfor the sugar duties, and if we cannot get that we are _really_ no longer aGovernment. It was determined to carry through the Beer Bill and Beer DutyBill, to throw over Stamps in Ireland, and carry Spirits. To take a sum of800, 000£ on account of miscellaneous estimates, and 250, 000£ on account ofthe civil list. 

These last points were decided at a Cabinet at Sir R. Peel's, whichassembled at eleven, and sat till near one; at which the Attorney- andSolicitor-General delivered their opinion, in conformity with that of theChancellor as to the legal competency of a minor sovereign. 

The Attorney-General reminded us that if the King died before the newParliament assembled, the old Parliament would revive. 

Peel talked a good deal of the Regency. He is much in favour of making theQueen Regent for a year after the King's death, to provide for the possiblepregnancy. It seems the principle of all Regencies has been to make theguardian of the person Regent. It is curious that the case should neverhave been provided for of a Queen being left pregnant of an heir apparent, and that it should never have occurred. The difficulty would be infinite. 

I consider the death of the King to have been one of the fortunate eventswhich have often saved the Duke of Wellington. I really do not know how wecould have gone on, had he lived two months. 

The King wishes to make Lord Combermere a Privy Councillor, thinking allgold sticks have been so. We find he is misinformed, and the Duke means toshow him the list of gold-sticks not Privy Councillors, and at the sametime to tell him how Lord Combermere stands, having within these few monthsbeen censured by the Government. The Duke will show the King thecorrespondence which passed lately, and leave it to him to decide. Therewould be no objection to making him a Privy Councillor some months or ayear hence. 

Brougham made a violent speech against Lord Conyngham for not being inreadiness to swear in the House of Commons. 

_June 28. _

Went to St. James's at eleven. The Household, the Royal family, and theMinisters only were there. The King was dressed in plain black. He went toa large window looking into the courtyard, and stood forward. There werebut few people there at first, the Horse Guards and the Heralds. The King'sband played God Save the King, and those who were there cheered, upon whichnumbers of people came round from before the Palace and filled thecourtyard. They then cheered well. 

As the King passed through the line we formed for him to go to the windowhe came up to me and said he must begin by chiding me for not coming to himyesterday. In fact he had forgot I was a Cabinet Minister, and he thereforewould see me to-day. I said 'it was my first and I hoped it would be mylast fault. ' After the Proclamation he sent for the Duke of Wellington, andwhen the Duke left him, for me. He asked about China. I told him how westood there. That there was an interruption which would probably preventthe arrival of any ships this year; that orders had been given for a doubleinvestment next year. I said the state of affairs generally was by no meanssatisfactory. The King said he was afraid Lord W. Bentinck had not beendoing well. I said I feared he had let down the dignity of his office, andhad when he first went there run after popularity too much, and allowed thepress to get ahead. It would now be very difficult to check it. I addedthat he went to make great reductions and had made some. That that hadrendered him unpopular. He was honest and well-meaning. The King said heshould go down to Bushey soon, and as I was living near he would have meover at eleven o'clock some morning, and give me some hours to make himacquainted with the state of India. I told him of the secret letter to theBengal Government about the Nagpore Treaty, and the principles laid down, of which he highly approved. He then expressed apprehension of Russia. Itold him all that had been done upon that subject, and of the present toRunjeet Singh, and the navigation of the Indus, with all which he seemedmuch pleased. I said I would send him the secret letters, and get togetherinformation that would bring the whole state of India before him asconcisely as possible. As I was led to mention Sir J. Macdonald, I asked acoat for him, and the King granted it, thinking it very proper. 

The Duke attends the opening of the King's will at 12. 

The late King died, as was thought, of fatness about the heart. The dropsywas gone. 

Cabinet. We had none at St. James's, but there was a council. The Duke ofNorfolk attended to be sworn in as a Privy Councillor. We found, onreference to the Act of last session, that he must have taken the oathwithin three months before his receiving any office of trust or profit. So, on my proposal, the Petty Bag was sent for, and the Chancellor held a courtof Chancery in the ball-room, where the Duke took the oath. He wasafterwards sworn in, as were the Duke of Bedford, Sir S. Canning, Sir J. Mackintosh, Lord Bexley, and two or three others who were not in timeyesterday. There were a good many orders in council, but of no moment. 

There was the usual proclamation against vice and immorality. 

The King did very well. He was very gracious to all who approached him, andhad something to say to every one. He took little notice of Sir. J. Mackintosh. 

Lord Bathurst had to change a sheriff. The King, when he heard the name ofthe new one (sheriff of Suffolk, I think), said, _'He is a Whig. '_ LordBathurst said, 'He is a very good man, I believe, Sir, and is recommendedby the Duke of Grafton. ' 'Oh!' said the King, 'I do not mean to say it iswrong; only remember, _he is a Whig_. '

After the council we went to Peel's, but we remained but a short time, theDuke going to the House and Peel too before 4. In our House not a word wassaid. In the Commons Brougham, who seems, as Frankland Lewis told me, halffrantic, made rather an apologetic speech for his attack upon the LordSteward, but again hinted at intentional disrespect towards the House ofCommons, not on the part of Ministers in that House, but of personselsewhere. He reminded Peel that whatever accession of strength Ministersmight have recently obtained, they could not carry on the Governmentwithout the confidence of the House of Commons. 

His speech was very mysterious, and hardly any one understood it. Somethought he alluded to the accession of Lord Grey to the Government; thatmust have rested upon foolish rumour. He alluded, I conclude, to the King'ssupport, now well known. What symptoms of disrespect for the House ofCommons he may have discovered I know not. Probably he chooses to imaginethem, to produce an effect. 

He is evidently mad with disappointment. He could not well be wooed in sucha temper, even if he were to be wooed at all. 

After the House I rode to leave my name at the Princess Augusta's, andforgot the Duke of Cumberland, who lives close by; then I went to the Dukeof Gloucester's, where I met F. Lewis, who told me of Brougham's speech andso on. I went with Wood to the Princess Sophia of Gloucester's. He told meall the King said of the late King's error in not frankly supporting hisGovernment, and of his own determination to do so. He had been long in thehabit of saying, 'the Queen is not with child. ' There had been a report tothat effect. Rode to the Duchess of Kent's and Duke of Sussex's. Met LordGraham, Mr. And Mrs. Arbuthnot, and the Chancellor. Rode on with theChancellor to Kensington. As we were coming away from the Palace we heardthe trampling of horses behind us, and turning round, saw the King comingfull tilt with his lancers; we had but just time to wheel round and saluteHis Majesty, who seemed much amused at seeing two of his Ministers amongstall the little children who were running by his carriage, and theChancellor, so lately in all the gravity of his official robes, mounted ona little white New Forest pony of Lady Lyndhurst's. I rode on toRoehampton, dined there, and rode back. 

At 10 a Cabinet at Peel's. We framed the message. Peel was very flat. Themeasure of immediate dissolution is one he does not half approve. He wishedto settle the Regency question. He has been put out of humour by having hisopinions upon that point not at once acquiesced in. He sees all thedifficulties of our position, and does not meet them with energy and_elan_. He certainly is not an agreeable person to transact business with, but he is a very able man. 

The accounts from Ireland are very bad. The potatoes are exhausted atLimerick, Tralee, and other places, and the new crop will not come in tillAugust. At Limerick some stores have been forced, and the troops attackedwith stones. 

At Tralee there was a subscription of 450£ for the purchase of potatoes;300£ was expended, and the Mayor of Tralee and other _gentlemen_ boughtsome of these potatoes, which were offered at a reduced price to thepeople, for _seed_! Can any country be tranquil in which resident gentlemencan do such things? A discretionary power has been given to the LordLieutenant to expend 3000£ in food, should it become necessary, withoutfurther reference. 

About 180 peers have taken the oaths. I fear we shall be beaten upon theForgery Bill; we have a very narrow margin indeed, not above six or eightwithout bishops. It is supposed the bishops will stay away. I fear thosewill stay away who would, if present, vote with us, and all who are againstwill come. If this should be the case we must be defeated. 

The King was perfectly reasonable about Lord Combermere. The Duke showedHis Majesty the letters which had passed, and the King said he should notthink of it. He told Peel and Lord Melville he wished the Royal Academy toremain open till after the King's funeral, that he might see theexhibition, and said Peel should attend him when he went. This Peel thinksvery foolish, and his disposition seems to be to turn the King intoridicule, and to throw the suspicion of insanity upon all his acts. This isthe _tactique_ of the Whigs. The King takes the Sacrament on Sunday, andhas desired the two English and one Irish archbishop to attend. This theycall 'an indication. '

_June 29. _

At half-past ten went to Lord Rosslyn's, to arrange with him the Lords'Address. Went with him to Peel's, to show it to him. He was reading when wewent in, and hardly looked up. He heard the Address which I read, andapproved of it; but he hardly took any notice of us or of it. He seemedreally ill, and quite broken down. 

Called on Hardinge. We had some conversation respecting the state of theGovernment. His idea is that the strength of the Government in the House ofCommons is much injured by Peel's being in a subordinate situation to theDuke. That if he was Chancellor of the Exchequer and First Lord of theTreasury, things would go on better, the Duke taking a secretaryship ofState. This would do very well in the House of Commons, but very ill in theCabinet. He is for getting Mr. Stanley, and suggests (or Rosslyn did, orboth, for having talked to both on the same subject I may confound them)that Lord F. Leveson should be made a peer. I think that a good idea. He isof no use in the Commons, and his peerage would open a place which Mr. Stanley could fill. 

Rosslyn thinks Aberdeen's notions upon foreign politics have, together withhis assumption of independence which is of recent date, made the Dukerather sore, and that he would not be sorry to have another Secretary ofState for Foreign Affairs. Lord Rosslyn wants to have Lord Grey in, andsays he would as soon be First Lord of the Admiralty as Foreign Secretary. Rosslyn would, I think, like to go to Ireland as Lord Lieutenant. He wouldwillingly give up the Privy Seal to Aberdeen. He thinks Sir G. Murray wouldmake an excellent Governor General. I fear he would be too indolent. Hesaid he knew, if there was a vacancy, the Duke would be glad to make himMaster General. 

I had said I believed Lord Beresford would go to Portugal as Minister, ifMiguel would be on good terms with us. It seems Goulburn would be glad tobe Speaker. That would open a proper office for Herries, and his officesmight be divided, Lord Althorpe having the Board of Trade. 

I really think some arrangement must be made to give us strength in theHouse of Commons. Saw the Duke at two. He approved of the address. Rosslyn, was with him. I told him how ill Peel seemed. He said he would go to seehim. 

House. The Duke moved the Address. He gave a character of the late King asone of the most accomplished, able, and remarkable men of the age. I sawLord Grey smile a little, but the House generally was grave and formal. Lord Grey assented to the Address, but _laissait entrevoir_ that he shouldbe hostile to the Address to-morrow, hinting at the Regency. The same thingwas done in the Commons. 

The Duke told me the late King had three disorders which must have provedfatal, and he died of bursting a blood-vessel in the stomach. He had aconcretion as large as an orange in his bladder, his liver was diseased, and his heart was ossified. Water there was not much, and all proceedingfrom the interruption of circulation about the heart. I read the report, signed by Halford, Tierney, Brodie, and A. Cooper. 

We had East Retford again. Lord Londonderry, whom Lord Durham puts forwardas his tool, moved an adjournment. The question was postponed till Friday. Afterwards the Duke of Buckingham, when most peers had gone away, moved thesame thing, and then Lord Londonderry twice. We had majorities but gave itup at last. The Chancellor is heartily tired of the whole thing. The Dukewent away while Lord Londonderry was explaining in answer to his speech, tothe noble Lord's great annoyance. 

I rode home with the Duke, who spoke of Lord Londonderry as a madman. Hesaid Peel had not taken a sufficiently high line. He did not like theposition he stood in in the House of Commons. The Duke said no Governmentwas ever beaten by its enemies, but many have been by their friends. 

The King was very amenable and good-natured to-day. 

_June 30. _

Occupied all the morning in looking at the precedents in the case ofregency. There are two modern contradictory precedents, 24 Geo. II. And 5Geo. III. , and no experience of either, nor has there been a minority sinceEdward VI. In 1547. 

It is clear the sovereign is sovereign whatever be his age, and the Actappointing a regent must have his assent. Whatever has at any time beendone, has been done or sanctioned by Parliament. Parliament cannotsupersede the Royal authority. 

It is remarkable that Parliament in 1811 made provision for the care of theKing's person in case of his death; but none for the care of the kingdom inthe event of the Regent's death, although the Princess Charlotte was butfifteen. 

House at 5. The Duke moved the Address in a very short speech, notadverting to the regency. Lord Grey followed and declared his opinion ofthe incapacity of Government as exhibited in their measures during the lastfive months. Goderich said 'nothing had been done, ' and was for going onwith the business. Lord Harrowby wished a short Regency Bill to be passed, giving the regency to the Queen for six weeks, to provide for the case ofpregnancy. The Chancellor made a speech, not long, admitting the law to beas stated, that is, that the sovereign immediately on accession possessedall Royal power. Eldon spoke against us, and treated the question of a King_en venire sa mere_ with jocularity. I followed, and observed gravely uponhis jocularity on such a subject; then stated my view of the question, andexpressed my regret and surprise at Lord Grey's declaration, added I washappy to know at last where we were, who were our friends and who were ourenemies. 

Then got up the Duke of Richmond, totally misrepresenting what I had saidas to Lord Eldon and Lord Grey, and endeavouring to make them appear aspersonal attacks to which no gentleman could submit. Lord Londonderryfollowed in the same tone. (After the Duke of Richmond I explained that Ihad not attributed improper motives to Lord Grey, nor attacked Lord Eldon'scharacter. ) We had afterwards Lord Lansdowne, Lord Harewood giving hisfirst vote for the Government after the Catholic Question, and _that_because it was the first measure of the new King. A foolish reason, but Idare say many voted on the same ground. Lord Wharncliffe spoke against us, Lords Bute and Wicklow and the Duke of Buckingham for us, Lord Radnorshortly against. The Duke replied. Then Lord Grey spoke, and observed, ofcourse, upon what I had said, but not angrily, and I made an explanationwhich was satisfactory, and set us quite right again. He had imagined me tosay he owed a debt of gratitude to the Government for the measure of lastsession. I said he had expressed gratitude, but we had not claimed it, because we only did our duty. In the lobby during the debate Lord Jerseytold me he was afraid Lord Grey might have misunderstood the meaning ofwhat I said about gratitude, and begged me to set him right immediately ifit was so. 

We had 100 to 54. A very good division. We went, at ten, to Goulburn's todinner, and expected soon to see the members of the House of Commons, andto hear of as good a division there as in the Lords, but after an hour weheard the division had only been 185 to 139. This made us a little flat, and Lord Bathurst drank no more champagne. 

I intentionally committed the Government thoroughly with the Whigs, forafter Lord Grey's declaration it was idle to expect a vote from them, andour people were pleased, as I knew they would be. The Duke of Bedford andLord Jersey voted with us. So did Dudley. 

I shall have work enough now, as they have ten or twelve speakers, and webut three. 

_July 1. _

Looked over the debates on the Forgery Bill this morning. Committee at one. Examined a manufacturer of camlets and bombazines from Norwich. House. Forgery Bill. The Chancellor made an admirable speech, Lord Lansdownefollowed him, then Lords Wynford, Tenterden, and Eldon all against thebill. We divided 77 to 20. The Duke was delighted, he said, '_How veryright we were. _' So said the Chancellor. Peel would have given it up. Now, I think one large majority will set public opinion right again. TheChancellor said all that was contained in Peel's two speeches and muchmore. Peel and Brougham were under the throne. 

Lord Bathurst, with whom I walked home from the House at three, when wetalked of Goulburn's becoming Speaker, suggested Hardinge as Chancellor ofthe Exchequer. He would be an excellent one. 

I met Goulburn in the Park this morning. He did not seem much pleased withthe House last night. I see there were strong words indeed in the seconddebate, Brougham talking of the _parasites_ of the Duke of Wellington. Peelasked whether he presumed to call him a parasite? There was greatconfusion, and it ended by Peel's making an explanation for Brougham, inwhich Brougham acquiesced. Several members, amongst the rest, I hear, Castlereagh, were going to call Brougham out. 

In the House Lord Bathurst told me Wortley had stayed away from thedivision last night, and had sent in his resignation. Soon after I receiveda note from Wortley telling me so, expressing great regret that he couldnot vote for a course of measures which excluded a Regency Bill. His regretwas increased by my kindness and encouragement. I have sent his letter tothe Duke, having shown it to Lord Bathurst in the House. I wrote an answerto say I felt great regret at his not being able to adopt our line, andexpressing my personal regret at losing him, and my acknowledgments for theassistance I had derived from him. 

His father and father-in-law both voted against us last night. He says inhis note he has taken his line entirely on his own view. 

I had some talk with Dudley in the lobby of the House. I began by saying hehad acted very handsomely by us. He said he was friendly to the Government, and above all things unfriendly to Lord Grey and the Duke of Newcastle. Themotion of last night he called pure faction. 

Salisbury told me he stayed away to-night not liking to vote against us, onaccount of yesterday's declaration of war. The Duke of Gordon told me hewas much pleased with me last night. I do not, however, think I spoke aswell as usual. 

Bankes I had some talk with. He said the Duke of Cumberland was hostile tothe Duchess of Kent and Leopold. He would prefer the Queen as Regent. Hehad been much with the King for the last six weeks, and there was a goodunderstanding between them. Bankes asked if I had left my name with him. Itold him I had, and I believed all the rest had. By some mistake of aservant the summons to the Privy Council did not reach the Duke ofCumberland till the day after the accession, and he was very angry. It hadbeen sent to Kew. He is satisfied now. Goulburn has hit upon a _mezzotermine_ which answers for the present session. He has reduced the duty onWest Indian sugar to 24, 9. , and on East Indian sugar to 32s. The duty onother sugar to be 63s. I did not fail to tell Dudley and Bankes in whatstrong terms the King had expressed his determination to support theGovernment. They were both 'colpiti. ' Dudley had had no idea terms sostrong had been used. He comes to the Council to be sworn in on Saturday. 

_July 2. _

Chairs at eleven. They have sent a representation on the subject of theKattywar draft, impugning, as I understand, for I have not yet read it, thepower of the Board to give orders in the Secret Department which do notrequire secresy. 

I told the Chairs distinctly that I intended to take upon the King'sGovernment the whole responsibility of the foreign policy of India. 

I saw Wortley, who thanked me very much indeed for my note of yesterdayevening. He was much distressed, and evidently regrets extremely that hehas tendered his resignation. He adheres, however, to his opinion that theRegency question should have been settled at least provisionally beforeParliament separated. He was going to see Peel and afterwards the Duke. 

He told me the Government could not be conducted in the House of Commonsunless some more Ministers would speak-that there must be a change. 

I called at Hardinge's. He told me the same thing, and that he had talkedabout it to the Duke yesterday and made him promise to place theministerial seats in the House of Commons at Peel's disposal. Hardinge isfor having Edward Stanley. He spoke of Wilmot Horton, but he is not ofCabinet calibre. I think Hardinge is disposed to displace Murray ratherthan either of the others. He talked again of making Peel First Lord of theTreasury and Chancellor of the Exchequer, and the Duke Secretary of Statefor Foreign Affairs--Aberdeen going to Ireland. Aberdeen would not gothere, I think. I told Hardinge Lord Bathurst had suggested him asChancellor of the Exchequer. He would not hear of it. 

It seems Brougham was almost drunk the other night. Hardinge and severalothers were getting up to question him when Peel stopped them. He pulledHardinge down by the coat. Hardinge says Peel managed admirably. 

In the House spoke to the Chancellor and Lord Bathurst, and told them I hadheard we must have an addition of strength to the Treasury Bench. They bothsaid they believed so too. Lord Bathurst again mentioned Hardinge. 

Spoke to the Duke about Wortley. He said he had written a kind note to him, and told him he had been too hasty. He should have spoken to some of theMinisters first. The Duke evidently intends the thing to blow over. 

Spoke to Lord Wharncliffe about the same thing. He said he would neitherhave voted nor have spoken against Government on Wednesday if he had had anidea of Wortley's resigning, because it gave the appearance of concert, andthere really was none. He did not know of the letters till after they hadbeen written. I said Lord Harrowby's taking the same line, both voting andspeaking, gave the appearance of concert. He said he thought Wortleyaltogether wrong. That a young man, having joined a Government, had noright, for a difference on a single point, to resign. If he differed upon asystem of policy it was another thing. I said I thought it would be allowedto blow over. He afterwards talked to the Duke, and I have no doubt Wortleywill remain. 

Lord Bathurst says W. Horton is a gentleman. I doubted it. He rather wishesto have Wilmot in office. But the person to be got is Mr. Stanley. 

We had a discussion on a motion of Lord Londonderry's whether we shouldproceed with East Retford or not. I followed Lord Grey and spoke veryquietly but, I think, reasonably, for going on. I said if we were obligedto postpone any measure, the last we should postpone should be one deeplyinteresting to the House of Commons and affecting their privileges. 

I think we did all Peel could require. We had 45 to 13. I remained tilleight, but I could stay no longer. 

Lord Londonderry attacked me again, and said instead of planting a daggerin the side of Lord Grey I should have applied a _healing plaster!_ Hiscomparative civility to the Government to-day was to conciliate theirsupport to Sir R. Gresley for Durham. 

The Duke told Hardinge yesterday I was always ready. I was a little toolively, but I was of great use. 

_July 3. _

The King has done two popular things. He has allowed a passage to be madefrom Waterloo Place into the Park, and he has dismissed all the late King'sFrench cooks! He will have no foreigners about him. 

The foreign Ministers were all introduced to him to-day. He was verygracious, Aberdeen said, but he did not choose his topics quite so well asthe late King, who had much tact and grace, neither does the King speakFrench well. 

Lord Combermere came and had an audience to present a picture of the Kingof Delhi, painted by an Indian artist. It seemed not ill done, and had theappearance of an ordinary picture, but when placed against the light was atransparency. Lord Combermere did not remain long with the King, and whenhe came out he seemed annoyed. He remained some time, and the Duke wasafraid he remained to be sworn in, in consequence of some incautiouspromise of the King. It was arranged that Buller, who had a list of thePrivy Councillors, should turn him out with the rest who were not so, whenthe Council began. However, he went away a little before. 

The Duke of Montrose has resigned, and the King has placed the office atthe disposal of the Duke of Wellington. 

Peel seems to think Lord Graham is dissatisfied and unfriendly. It seems hehas been heard complaining of vacillation, &c. , on the part of theGovernment, and does not attend well. 

The Queen has named Lady Wellesley and Mrs. Berkeley Paget as two Ladies ofthe Bed-chamber. Valletort is to be in some high situation about the Queen. Lord Errol, her Master of the Horse. 

I conclude Lord Conyngham will resign, but it is not known. 

The Duke goes to Windsor to-morrow respecting the late King's papers, theDuke of Cumberland having meditated an _enlèvement_. 

Peel thinks Brougham really rather mad, and would not be surprised to hearhe was confined. Last year he was melancholy, and his friends and _hehimself_ feared he might commit suicide. Now he is in an excited state. Peel speaks of him as a most wonderful man in ability. 

It seems that last night the leaders came down to make an attack, but thefollowers, not having been consulted, would not support. R. Gordon cameover to Herries and said he should vote with Government. Hume, who in themorning had sent to ask Planta whether Government intended to oppose himfor Middlesex (a question Planta was desired not to answer till the end ofnext week), was very civil, and disposed to let business pass. It is notimpossible that the House of Commons may have done their business by thisday week. 

I am to look at the Beer Bill, and have already begun to read the Commons'debates upon it. 

_July 4. _

Read all the debates on the Beer Bill, made notes, and considered thesubject. The Queen seems to have selected her maids of honour from theneighbourhood of Bushey. This is amiable and very right. 

_July 5. _

I proposed to Wortley, as Edward Stanley was an acquaintance of his, togive him a hint not to commit himself against the Government just now; buthe says he does not know Stanley intimately enough. 

I asked him whether he did not find the Duke of Wellington very kind. Hereally had the kindest heart of any man I ever knew. When I looked up I sawthe tears in his eyes. 

Clare told me he heard all the Whigs in our House, except Lord Lansdowne, were determined to push us _à l'outrance_; but Lord Lansdowne thought theDuke must endeavour to strengthen himself during the vacation. He could notdo it now, as it would be a confession of weakness; but he thought he woulddo it before Parliament met. However, the others would not hear him. 

There was a meeting at Lord Althorpe's yesterday, but I have not heard theresult. 

Talked to Clare about the affairs of Kattywar, and promised to give himprecise instructions before he left England. 

He will remain at Bombay, I think. He tells his mother three years, but hewill remain till he has made some money and done something worth goingthere to do. He has got Elphinstone to make a list of the civil servants_with their characters_. 

The King took the sacrament yesterday with the Royal Family, and afterwardsreceived the bishops and the judges. He made long speeches to both. Thirtyminutes to the first, and twenty to the second. 

Polignac seems quite firm, although certain he shall be in a minority of 1to 2 or 3. It is expected he will _evade_, and that Villele may be able togo on with the new Chamber. 

No news from Algiers. 15, 000 men are assembled at Toulon as a reserve. 

_July 6. _

Cabinet. Peel said the Lord Advocate would resign if we did not pass theScotch Judicature Bill, so we must struggle through with it. The WelshJudicature Bill is to be passed too. This will keep us sitting some time. The Commons will have finished on Friday. 

House. We had the second reading of the Beer Bill. I said a few words toshow the inaccuracy of one of Lord Malmesbury's conclusions; but I mustspeak in detail in the Committee. 

_July 7. _

Last night we had 247 to 93, a great division. The Tories in general votingwith us. 

Looked over again all the papers relative to the Beer Bill. 

In my way back from Roehampton met Lord Ravensworth, who told me the Kinghad the gout, and that he had given the Guelphic ribbon to his three sons-in-law. He likewise told me what I knew before, that the Duke of Montrosehad resigned. 

I told him of the dismissal of the French cooks, which horrified him. 

Cabinet dinner at Herries's. All the House of Commons pleased with theirdivision. They got three county members to speak for others. The Whigs didnot like the motion, and were unwilling to divide. Robert Grant divided theHouse. The King was delighted with the division. 

He came to town to-day, almost for nothing, and received the Duke andothers. He sent for Lord Rosslyn and told, him he had made his regiment theQueen's Own. 

He has changed the uniform of the navy, which is to be blue with red cuffsand facings. He wore the uniform so to-day. 

Aberdeen introduced Prince William of Prussia. The King desired him tostay, and said he should never receive foreigners except in his presence, and never but in his naval uniform. He should wear the military uniform nowand then, but as little as possible. 

All the cavalry are to be in red. 

No news from Algiers. The Duke thinks they must be rather in want ofprovisions. The French are all in a state of sentiment, as Bourmont'ssecond son has been dangerously wounded. Certainly the way in which it ismentioned in the dispatch is good, and indeed Bourmont, a very clever man, and first under fire with his four sons, will soon be popular with an army. 

Polignac seems to be insensible rather than bold. He thinks all will go onwell still. 

The present intention is that we should all be in gala at the funeral, withblack scarfs, &c. 

I have asked several to dine at Roehampton and go from thence. 

The Queen is to be present, I suppose, in the King's pew. The King iscertainly to be chief mourner. 

We had a great deal of talk after dinner about elections. I fear they havenot been attended to in time. It is hoped Seaford will be conquered fromLord Seaford, and that the two Grants will be thrown out. We have nobodyfor Surrey and nobody for Middlesex. 

_July 8. _

House. Answered the Duke of Richmond on the sale of Beer Bill. The Dukeseemed very well satisfied, and the House was very attentive and cheeredfrequently. We had on a division 60 to 15. 

_July 9. _

Lord Radnor made some observations upon the continuing of the Irish ArmsBill without explaining the reason, the Bill having been introduced introublesome times and expiring at the end of this Session. Lord Greysupported him. It is clear Lord Durham and Lord Radnor evidently intend tomake us look about us and not do work in a slovenly manner. I cannot findfault with them. 

Lord Durham moved the printing of the Appropriation List, which wasnegatived without a division, as unusual; but I dare say he will askquestions as to some of the items. 

_July 10. _

As I was coming home from the office I called on Hardinge. He considers thedivision to have been invaluable to us here and even to France. Certainlythe French funds rose when it was known the present King held the samecourse as his predecessor. Hardinge thinks many men are disposed to supportthe Duke's Government under the idea that all sorts of calamities wouldattend the weak Government which must succeed it. He thinks Palmerston thebest man to have in Goulburn's place, Goulburn going to the Speakership. Hethinks W. Horton would be better than Frankland Lewis as his successor atthe War Office, it being necessary in either case to get Lord F. Levesoninto the House of Lords. Fitzgerald has written to Hardinge, and seemseager about politics. I wish he was well and could come into office again. 

I do not know that the Duke or anybody would have any objection toPalmerston coming in by himself; but I doubt Huskisson's ever being inoffice again while the Duke lives. Neither will the Grants come in--indeedit is to be hoped they will both be turned out of their seats. 

_July 12. _

Office. Backhouse brought the account of Sir J. Macdonald's expected death;the date, May 12. Sir Henry Willock will take charge of the mission _adinterim_. He may be a sensible man, but the loss of Macdonald is severe. Ido not know how we shall replace him. 

Cabinet at 2. The business was the eternal slave question--what answershould be given to Brougham to-morrow. He is expected to propose somepledge of proceeding _legislatively_ in the next session as to theadmission of slave evidence and other points. A Bill has been preparedmaking slave evidence admissible, and it would probably have beenintroduced but for the early termination of the session. However, thereseems to be great reluctance to embark in a contest with the Coloniallegislatures. The foolish resolutions moved by Canning are deeplyregretted. I was the only man who objected to them, when, two years afterthey had been found of no avail, it was proposed that the Lords shouldconcur in them. Peel objects to any pledge on the part of Parliament, moreparticularly on the eve of a dissolution. It is thought that _by payingfrom our funds_ for an improved judicature in the West Indies we may inducethe colonies to acquiesce in the admission of slave evidence, althoughimposed by the interposition of Parliament. I doubt it, and if we pass alaw to which the colonies are adverse, which they will regard as being _nolaw_, how are we to execute it? We may make judges and pay them, but wemust procure submission to those judges, and further, we must make_jurymen_. 

All these difficulties I foresaw when the Lords adopted the Commons'resolution; but I suppose Canning forced it upon Lord Bathurst and theCabinet. 

House at 5. Debate on the Scotch Judicature Bill. Lord Wynford made amiserable speech, which proved he knew nothing about the subject. TheChancellor was very angry with him, and once interrupted him improperly. The debate was dull, and there was no division. 

_July 13. _

Went to St. James's at half-past one. A few Privy Councillors were there tobe sworn in, amongst the rest the Duke of Hamilton. 

The Duke of Wellington had to talk over the King about giving a lodge inBushey Park to one of the FitzClarences for his life, and about gazettingthe Queen's household. He found the King very reasonable indeed. 

The King means to give his Ministers a grand dinner. He intends asking theSpeaker and the two Gold Sticks, but _not_ the _third_, the Duke ofCumberland. 

The Duke of Buckingham is Lord Steward. A bad appointment. The office ofLord Chamberlain was offered by the Duke of Wellington to the Duke ofBedford, Lord Rosslyn going to make the offer. The Duke of Bedford was muchgratified, but declined on the ground of his health. The office was thenoffered to Lord Jersey, who accepted willingly. 

House. The Chancellor made an excellent speech on the Welsh JudicatureBill, and it was read a second time without a further word. The ForgeryBill passed with a motion of Lord Holland's _pro formâ_ that he mightprotest. 

We had Sir Jonah Barrington for a short time. He is very roguish and sly. 

There are no particulars yet of the capture of Algiers, except that thefleet co-operated. 

The French seem to have been highly delighted. 

_July 15. _

Sir G. Murray, Goulburn, and Herries came down to Roehampton at four todinner. At five we set off for Windsor. The day was beautiful, and all theworld made it a holiday. Carriages of all sorts and hackney coaches were onthe road all the morning to Richmond. I never saw so many persons there, and chiefly of the class of shopkeepers. London was quite empty, but thePark quite covered with the people. It seemed to be a day of generalrecreation. 

Arrived at Windsor at a quarter after seven. There were a few Lancers alongthe road from Frogmore, where the King and Queen were, but no crowd. Nearthe town there were a great many waggons. We turned to the right at the endof the Long Walk and drove through the park to the great gate of theCastle. Within the court were Horse and Foot Guards. We entered at thevisitors' entrance, and went to St. George's Hall, where we all assembled. A great many were already come. They began forming the procession at half-past seven, and it was all formed so as to move before nine. I walked withLord Hill. There were ten or twelve barons, a number of judges, six oreight bishops, and upon the whole a fair representation of the peerage andthe Privy Council. There was a double line of Life Guardsmen within thecastle, without Foot Guards, and the Blues in the chapel. We did not seethe body as we passed. A screen of black concealed the room in which it layin state. I imagine the King was in the room. As we returned it was open. 

It struck nine as we came to the Round Tower. A rocket was fired as soon asthe body moved, to give notice to Linden for the firing of the minute guns. The bands of the several regiments played the Dead March in Saul, &c. , asthe procession passed. The Foot Guards stood close together with armsreversed, every fifth man having a flambeau. The platform was, in mostplaces, open on both sides. There was a good deal of air, but the night waswarm. Had there been rain, or had it been cold, some must have died. Therewere but few people on the right of the platform in the inner court, but inthe outer court there was a dense mass of people, and all the roofs werecovered. There was hardly a whisper. All the people seemed very decent intheir dress, and their conduct was perfect. The procession entered at thegreat door of the chapel and turned to the left, went down to the end ofthe aisle and then turned, facing the door of the inner chapel. In thespace we thus went round were the Eton boys. In the chapel there were somepersons on the right of the altar. I could not well see who they were, asthere was a sort of haze, but they were all in uniform. With this exceptionthe chapel was empty. We were all placed as we entered in the seats andstalls. The body was drawn upon a carriage. It was too heavy to be carried. The King had a vast number of attendants, such as equerries, &c. Half ofthem captains in the navy. The attendants pressed rather too close uponhim. He was in black with the collars of all the orders. He noddedoccasionally as he recognised people; but when his countenance was still helooked very grave. He is become very like his father. The assistantmourners, who were Lords Goderich, Sidmouth, Granville, Grantham, Carlisle, and some others, had no seats and stood during the service. The last whoentered were the Guard, the colours preceding. These came half way into theaisle, the colours depressed. The colonels of the battalions and thegeneral, Sir H. Vivian, came in with their caps on and swords drawn, andstood to the right and left of the King, but not near him. The banners weredepressed on the two sides of the grave. Over the grave was a black canopy, on the top of which was an enormous crown. The music was good. The servicewas very ill-read by the Dean Hobart, and the Garter could not make himselfheard when he recited the King's titles. Lord Jersey walked as LordChamberlain, Lord Conyngham as Steward. He broke his staff into the grave. Lord Cholmondeley was there as Lord Great Chamberlain, and sat on the leftof the aisle in a stall opposite the passage. On the other side was theEarl Marshal. When all was over the King went out by the small door on theleft near the King's closet, and so by the cloister to the platform. Assoon as he appeared the Guard received him with presented arms and God Savethe King. We all returned by the way we came. There was tea in St. George'sHall but we went on, and finding Goulburn's servant, followed him to thecarriage, which was on the other side of the entrance gate, and so got awayeven before the King. We were at Roehampton by half-past one. The wholeprocession lasted about two hours and a half or rather less--that is, fromthe first move to the end. 

It was very well arranged. Pohlman, our Deputy Black Rod, who is a Herald, was the acting person, and did his duty admirably. There was nointerruption, no confusion, but everything managed as if we had beendrilled and did the same thing every day. And so King George IV. Is gone tohis grave with all the pomp of royalty, and splendid the pageant was; butit was considered a mere pageant even by his household, who had lived sointimately with him for years. There was no regret. A coronation couldhardly be gayer; but the procession was gravely done and decently. 

The magnificence of the castle aided the spectacle and made royalty appearalmost as imposing in death as at the moment when the Crown was assumed inthe Abbey. 

We had supper and they all went to London. 

Huskisson and Palmerston were there. Huskisson very sulky and sour. Palmerston very cordial, as if he thought he might come in, I should beglad if he did. 

It seems the Duke of Buckingham hints that he must have something more thanthe stewardship for his seven votes. No one likes his appointment, and weall feel as if an alliance with the Grenville party would bring us ill-luck. 

_July 16. _

House. Administration of Justice Bill. A great many amendments made by LordTenterden. We struck out a clause by which Le Blanc would have been obligedto sit to tax costs every day in the year. Lord Eldon said the Bill as itwas originally drawn was more like a string of resolutions at the LondonTavern than an Act of Parliament. 

The Attorney-General was very angry indeed at the alterations made in theBill, and threatened to throw it over in the House of Commons. 

Nothing said about the Libel law; but Lord Holland is to say something onthe third reading. Sir Jonah's case. W. Goady spoke. He spoke so slow, itwas like a banker paying in sixpences to gain time. He was so dull I wentaway for fear of falling asleep. The Duke stayed and slept. 

The Duke remained at Windsor all night. I met him as he was coming down tothe office to-day. He said he had remained to see the King and give up tohim the late King's snuff-boxes, &c. , which were all in a great box. 

Lord Wharncliffe told me he thought Duncombe, Bethel, Lord Morpeth, andRamsden would come in for Yorkshire. Afterwards we heard Brougham was tostand. It will have a very bad effect if Hume and Brougham come in forgreat counties. Yet I dare say they will. 

Wortley goes down to stand for some Scotch boroughs, which will lead to theCounty of Forfar. 

Long Wellesley has been arrested by Gosling the Banker for 4, 000£, on whichit was found that he had but 3, 000£ in the books in the Bank, so heremained in durance for the other 1, 000£ till he found five people, eachwilling to be bound for 200£. This disposes of him for Essex. He had givenout that he had 30, 000£. An express has been sent off to a Mr. Lloyd, theson-in-law of the old Eliab Harvey, to stand for Essex. I know the man. Hewas at Ryde in 1813, and at Cowes in 1826. His daughters are rather prettygirls. I suggested Tower, who would have done very well for Essex. 

_July 17. _

St. James's at 2. The Lord Mayor and Aldermen first came up with theiraddress, then the same with the Common Council. The King received theaddresses, which were very loyal, on the throne. He read the answers verywell. The Ministers stood on his left and the household on his right. Aboutseven gentlemen pensioners were on each side from the door to the foot ofthe throne. The Lord Mayor, &c. , were introduced by the Lord Chamberlain. It was well done, and is rather an imposing ceremony. 

Cabinet. First a question as to what should be done about Ashe, the man whowrote a libel on the Duke of Cumberland, which he sent to him and nowreclaims. He has written many letters indicative of an intention toassassinate, and is now come up from Carlisle on foot, and has been walkingopposite the Duke's house for three hours, having first written anotherletter of a threatening nature. 

Lord Wynford wrote to Peel on the Duke of Cumberland's part; but the Dukewill not exhibit articles of the peace. Colonel Peter gave Ashe 5_s_. Andhe went away. 

The question was what could be done with him? I suggested that, as in thecase of an expected duel, a magistrate on mere information that a breach ofthe peace was apprehended would take persons into custody and hold them tobail; so here the same thing might be done, one of the letters distinctlythreatening a breach of the peace. This would secure the man till it couldbe discovered whether there was legal ground to indict him for the letters. This will be done. 

We then came to the consideration of the East Retford question. All thepress were for giving up the Bill. I took some part in the discussion. However, Peel was so strongly for the Lords going as the Commons had done, and for preventing the appearance of disunion in the Cabinet, that hiswishes were acceded to, and we support the Bill. The Duke _thinks_ it willbe thrown out, and I _hope_ it will. It will be very difficult to make aspeech in favour of the Bill which will not commit us to a bad precedent. However, I shall try. Peel was very obstinate and disagreeable. In fact theinterfering with the existing franchise never was made a Cabinet question. The giving the franchise to Bassetlaw [Footnote: The Hundred of Bassetlaw, forming the existing borough of East Retford. ] rather than to Birminghamwas, and it was because after an agreement that we should all vote forBassetlaw, Huskisson voted for Birmingham and then resigned, that theseparation took place. 

These questions never were made Government questions before, and it is muchbetter they should not be. 

Peel thinks he will not be able to oppose reform in general if we do notshow a disposition to punish individual cases of corruption. 

I did not get away till seven, and then went to Hardinge's to bring himdown to Wilderness. [Footnote: Seat of Lord Camden, near Sevenoaks. ] Hetold me the Speaker had been with the Duke and did not resign just now. There had been a question whether he should not; but it was thought wemight be damaged at the elections if we made any change now. The Duke askedHardinge what he thought as to taking Huskisson and Palmerston back again?Hardinge declared against having Huskisson, but recommended Palmerston. Idare say as soon as the elections are over something will be done, and thatPalmerston will be offered the Chancellorship of the Exchequer. 

Peel once wanted Edward Stanley, but it seems he has wavered a good deal. Unless his manner should change it would be impossible to go on with him asMinister; but I trust in God we shall never lose the Duke. 

_July 19. _

Received at nine a card from Lord Bathurst informing me that the Queenwould be in Downing Street at ten. Went in plain clothes as I was desired. Found the Queen was to be there to see the Guards, whom the King was toinspect. The Ministers were invited and the connections of the Bathursts. We were presented to the Queen, and kissed her hand. After the parade, which the King attended on foot, he joined the party, and they hadbreakfast. However, before that I went away. At one again at St. James's. The two Universities came up with addresses to the King and Queen. Oxfordfirst. They very properly put their doctors first. The address was read bythe Vice-Chancellor, and then, after the Queen's reply, the doctors andproctors, and a few others who formed the deputation, kissed the King'shand. As the Queen has no separate apartment the King retired, the Queenentered with her household and ladies, and then the same ceremony was gonethrough, the Ministers remaining on the left behind the ladies. The Queenread pretty well. She was obliged to rise each time to give her hand to bekissed. Cambridge came afterwards with the Duke of Gloucester and all thePeers, who belonged to the University, in their gowns at the head. Thisdestroyed the character of the collegiate body. However, those only werepresented who were presented of the Oxford deputation. The King went beyondhis written speech to the men of Cambridge, and put us in a fright. However, it was good-humoured, and of no great harm--a sort of joke. 

I came away as I had business. Afterwards there was a Council, and theLords Lieutenant were admitted to take the oaths. 

House. East Retford. The Chancellor made a capital speech, and we had abetter division than case, 29 to 7. Lord Durham spoke temperately and well. Lord Grey well too. We had Wynford with us. There is no explaining thatman. The Duke of Cumberland voted against us, and Eldon spoke. 

At St. James's. Lord Westmoreland told me that yesterday at a great dinnerthe King gave his household he gave as a toast, 'The land we live in, andlet those who don't like it leave it. '

This and many other things show his feelings towards the Duke ofCumberland. 

The King reviews a regiment every morning this week. He has been onhorseback within these six weeks, but he has a rupture, and is now ratherafraid of riding. He is going to change the uniforms of the LordsLieutenant. 

We expect to prorogue on Friday and dissolve on Saturday. 

_July 20. _

Then East Retford. Lord Wharncliffe moved a resolution with the view ofgiving the franchise to Birmingham instead of the Hundred. Dudley spoke forBirmingham and well. I spoke shortly. I guarded myself against beingconsidered as pledged to any other measure, intending to decide allmeasures according to the special circumstances of the case. 

The Duke was not so cautious as I was, and spoke strongly against givingthe franchise to great towns. [Footnote: No one expected it to occur in twoyears' time. ] Lord Holland said to the Chancellor, 'He will live to see itdone. ' I think I may, and therefore was cautious. 

We had 39 to 16. 

So ends the business of this Session. 

_July 21. _

Went at ten to the Duke of Wellington's, where the King and Queen were tobreakfast after an inspection of the 2nd Life Guards. The day was beautifuland the people in excellent humour. The King first went with the Queen tothe Regent's Park barracks, and then to the Knightsbridge barracks. Whenthey came to the Duke's the King went to the window and was well cheered. They then called for the Queen, who went to the window and was very wellreceived indeed. 

Yesterday evening the King walked out alone into St. James's Street. Hefound Watson Taylor and took his arm. The mob pressed upon him so much thatWatson Taylor's shoes were trodden down at heel. While the King was alonean Irish woman came out of an alley and kissed him. This and a lecture fromthe Duke have cured him of walking out alone. At least he has promised notto do so again. 

House at 2. Aberdeen says the King spoke very well to the foreign Ministersto-day. There was an extraordinary number of naval officers, and thefullest _levée_ I ever saw. The King recognised very cordially all his oldfriends. He was very gracious indeed to Elphinstone, whom he saw for thefirst time. He was imprudent enough to make a sort of speech to the WestIndian deputation, and pledged himself warmly to support their interests. This I saw. After I was gone I hear Astell and Campbell came up with theaddress of the East India Company, and that he spoke in similar terms tothem. This the foolish Astell will publish everywhere. 

The Duke says he goes away when the King begins to speak. I really coveredmy face when he began to speak about the Catholics to the deputation fromCambridge. What he said to them, which was no more than an indifferentjoke, has been variously misrepresented and not at all understood. It musthave been imperfectly heard. 

The King is angry with the Duke of Gloucester for slurring over a part ofthe address from Cambridge, which was very loyal, and for not kissing hishand. He has reason to complain of this. The Duke of Gloucester kissed theQueen's hand with marked devotion. 

The Duke of Sussex has been already infusing poison into the King's ear andtalking of invasions of the property of the Church. This the King toldPeel. Those who observed the Duke of Sussex at the levee thought he seemedvery triumphant, and received his Whig friends with a smile which said, 'Weshall do them yet. '

He was invested with the Thistle to-day. The King asked all the knightspresented to drink a bottle of claret with him in October. 

Blomberg was up with an address. The King said, 'You and I know each otherof old. You need not be presented. By-the-bye, you may as well dine with meto-day. '

The King made an extemporaneous reply to the address of the Canons ofWindsor the day after the funeral. They begged to have a copy. Heendeavoured to recollect it for them, and sent it to Peel. Peel found somecurious historical inaccuracies. 

The Duke of Wellington thinks we shall gradually bring the King round, andinduce him to move more quietly. To thwart him directly would have a badeffect; but he may be led. In the meantime he is very well in health. 

The King has promised to dine with Leopold, who has asked the Duke, but notAberdeen. The Duke thinks the King should not dine with him now. The twoother Powers having manifested the greatest dissatisfaction with Leopold'sconduct, and we having intimated it in the House, it would be incongruousand injurious for the King to dine with him. Leopold has written one if nottwo letters complaining of the conduct of the Allied Powers. 

We went to the House for fear Lord Durham should play us a trick, and it isperhaps fortunate we did, for he was there and made a protesting speech, which was followed by one from Westmoreland on the East Retford Bill. However, we had a majority in the House, and there was no division. 

_July 22. _

Rode to town. Cabinet. Considered the King's Speech. Peel had introduced aplagiarism from the first speech of the old King, 'Born and educated inthis country, I glory in the name of Briton. ' However, the whole sentencewould not do, and it was omitted. I assisted in working the sentences intoform, and breaking them up into short ones. Went away to dress for theCouncil, thinking the whole settled. Council at three. First the deputiesof the two Houses carried up the joint address respecting Sir JonahBarrington. Then the King being alone, and saying he was ready for hisMinisters--none being there but me--I went in, and first asked him to allowClare to wear the uniform the late King gave him. This led to a long talkabout uniforms for Indian Governors, and I had some little difficulty tocarry my coat without having a general consideration of the whole questionof Governor's uniforms. I then told the King of the approaching death ofSir J. Macdonald. He asked whom we proposed sending in his place? I toldhim it did not entirely depend upon the King's Ministers, but that Ithought, if we recommended a very fit man, we should get the Chairs to namehim. 

The King said, 'You heard what I said to the East India Company yesterday?'I had not, but I bowed, and he added, 'I told them they should not beunfairly dealt with. There is a run on them, and the notions of people arevery much exaggerated with regard to the question. '

I said the question would require and receive the most mature considerationfrom his Ministers before they ventured to offer any advice to his Majestyupon the course to be pursued. 

The King said in about ten or twelve days he should be able to give me aday or two for Indian matters. 

I thought I had given time to the others to arrive, and rose. I shouldmention that he spoke of Algiers, and said he suspected there was anunderstanding about it between the Russians and the French. 

I said I did not entertain much fear of the French having Algiers. With alittle money we could raise Morocco on one side and Tunis on the other, andharass them from the interior, and while we took care they had not Tunis, Algiers was comparatively unimportant. With Tunis, Malta, and Corfu weshould hold our hands across the Mediterranean. 

I went out and found them come. The Duke went in. The King gives up diningwith Leopold. He gave it up the moment the objections to it were mentionedto him. 

The speech was, I found, much improved after I went away. The King said hethought nothing could be better, and indeed it is a very good speech. Hesaid he thought the reference to the Catholic question was unavoidable, asit was the great measure of the Parliament; and it was particularly properthat he should refer to it as he had voted for it, really thinking that theChurch would be more secure by means of Catholic admission than by theirexclusion. 

I thought the King seemed a little tired. Well he might be. He had been atan inspection of troops, the Grenadier Guards and the Lancers, from ten toone, and the day was very hot. He inspected the troops on foot. 

The Duke of Wellington passed the King at the head of his regiment, andLord Rosslyn at the head of his. Lord Rosslyn is delighted with theopportunities of wearing his uniform, and playing the general officeragain. 

_July 24. _

Council at 11. Parliament dissolved. The seals were delivered to theSecretaries and to Goulburn. Herries kissed hands. 

Sir G. Clark becomes Under-Secretary to the Home Department. W. Peel goesto the Treasury. Charles Ross comes into Clark's place. Macnaughten goesout. 

_July 26. _

Dined at St. James's. The King of Wurtemburg, the Ministers, ForeignMinisters, Household, and Knights of the Garter there, in all 80. Afterdinner the King made a speech which made his Ministers' hearts fail withinthem. However, we were _quitte pour la peur_. He only spoke of his love ofpeace. The only thing painful was that he should speak at all, and beforehis servants, like a chairman of a public meeting. 

At the Duke of Wellington's on Sunday he made a speech, praising very muchthe Duke, and declaring his entire confidence in him. This was before theForeign Ministers. The speech was a little warlike, I believe. The Duke'sreply very short indeed, and peaceful. The King should recollect that whathe speaks is as important as what is written in a State Paper. 

_July 28. _

Levée. Before it a Council, _standing_, in the King's closet, for swearingin Privy Councillors. Sir R. Wilson was presented on his restoration to thearmy, and holding the King's hand in his expressed his gratitude. 

The King made an energetic reply, and then there was a short rejoinder fromSir R. Wilson. I could not hear what was said. We afterwards shook handscordially with Sir R. Wilson, whose restoration pleases everybody. 

The French Government have dissolved the Chamber without allowing it toassemble; have placed the press under restriction, and altered the mode ofelecting deputies, so as, as far as I can understand, to give to _les plusimposis_ the power of electing a majority. 

No letter has been received by any Foreign Minister or by us. The whole waskept a profound secret. The report to the King respecting the press, whichis made the foundation of the Ordonnance, is a long violent declamation, very weakly written indeed. [Footnote: These were the celebrated Ordinanceswhich cost Charles X. His crown. ]

_July 28. _

Cabinet at half-past three. I was rather late, and found them consideringwhat should be said by Lord Stuart at Paris, respecting the late violentmeasures of the French Government. They had decided that Lord Stuart, ifPrince Polignac endeavoured to draw from him in conversation his opinion, should say he was directed to offer none. They seemed inclined to tell him, if Prince Polignac required his opinion by offering an explanation, to saywe considered the measure adopted was in violation of the Charter. At mysuggestion, if Polignac asked his opinion more formally and offered noexplanation, he was directed to request the explanation might be inwriting, and he would transmit it to his Court, or it might be made throughthe French Ambassador here. The French Ambassador, however, knowing nothingof what was doing, left England on Monday, and would meet the news on hisroad to Paris. 

At six o'clock on Tuesday evening a row was going on, and a Guardsman hadbeen killed. This was resistance when the police broke the types, &c. , of apress which would go on. The idea is, that the Chamber of Deputies willmeet, considering the dissolution to be illegal. 

Matuschevitz openly inveighs against the measure. It is doubtful whetherMetternich did not advise it. He sent a long paper from Johannisberg, giving his views on the present position of the French Government. 

The King of Wurtemburg had an interview of two hours with the Duke ofWellington yesterday. He is very anxious on the subject of France. He saysthe people of Wurtemburg will cry out that a similar measure is intendedagainst them--that everywhere the two extreme parties will be placed incollision. Bulow thinks the same. The Duke advised the King of Wurtemburgto avoid Paris on his return; but the King has some _emplettes_ to make, and goes there. The Duke advised him then, if he must go for his_emplettes_, to stay only a day. He said he would not stay above five orsix! Thus is every consideration of real importance sacrificed to motivesof private fancy and convenience!

Lea informed Aberdeen that a vessel was fitting out in the Thames withSpanish refugees and arms to endeavour to raise an insurrection in Spain. After some time they found the vessel, and to-day she was detained. She hadsixty-nine men, and about 150 stand of arms on board. They sank the printedproclamations which were picked up. Torrijos and Valdes were to be theleaders. Torrijos was to join below the revenue vessels. Some of the menhad 10£ each, given to them by the Spanish Committee, to aid their voyageto Rio. There is some doubt under what law they are to be indicted, and theAttorney and Solicitor-General are out of town. 

Received a letter from Lord Heytesbury, enclosing one he had received fromCaptain Campbell, announcing the death of Sir J. Macdonald. 

_July 29. _

The Duke told me he had seen Rothschild that morning, who had recentintelligence from Paris. The Guards were faithful, but the 53rd Regiment, which was at the Hôtel de Ville, had joined the people, and so hadindividual soldiers of other regiments. The people and the National Guardswere arming. The Chambers had assembled. The King was not at Paris. He wasnought to be at Compiègne. 

The Duke thought Henry had better not go to Paris, that one party or theother would soon attack the English. 

Called on Elphinstone. Offered him Persia. He was much obliged, but saidnothing would induce him ever to go to Asia again. 

Spoke to him of Monteith. He knows him, and a little doubted hisdiscretion. He promised to find him, and send him to the Duke if he was intown; but he thought he was at Algiers. Spoke to him of Jenkins and Briggs. He says Jenkins is the abler man. 

Saw Lord Essex and Lord Clinton. They had heard the Duke of Orleans wasproclaimed Regent. 

_July 31. _

Went to town early. Called at the Duke's to hear the news. None had arrivedsince yesterday morning. The Duke said he considered the King dethroned, and we should soon have to consider whether we should acknowledge the newGovernment. I observed that our course must depend very much upon themanner in which the French effected their Revolution. The King had puthimself decidedly in the wrong, and if they make their Revolution as wemade ours in 1688, there was no reason why we should not acknowledge thenew Government, be it what it might. The Duke said the foreigners werealready coming to know what we thought and meant to do. We should have themall in our train, and provided we took a reasonable course on the questionof Algiers, and others which might arise, we should do very well. Themischief was that this event would place the two parties in presence onevery occasion, and every trifling difference would resolve itself into oneof Liberal and anti-Liberal. I said I feared whatever party predominated, even if the King regained his power, France would be precipitated into awar, for no party would be able to maintain itself in quiet times. The Dukesaid the King's Government was becoming very dangerous. It had, as wasshown in the case of Algiers, and their discussions with us, no moremorality than that of Buonaparte, and it had the favour of European Powersas an ancient dynasty, while it was prepared to act upon the principles ofa new one. Now, under a Government of Revolutionary origin, all their Actswould be viewed with disfavour and suspicion. 

The Duke spoke very strongly against Canning's policy, in admitting Franceto the Triple Alliance [Footnote: By the Treaty of London with reference toGreece. ] and thus bringing her into a prominent station in Europe again. She would naturally have risen again in good time. The time should not havebeen anticipated by us. 

The Duke agreed with me in thinking the Government here would bestrengthened by what was occurring in France. 

I lamented Brougham's success in Yorkshire, and viewed with someapprehension the increased power it would give him. He said Yorkshire wasquite radicalised by having four members. No gentleman could bear theexpense--the middle classes had it all to themselves. 

At a quarter to four I called at the Treasury and found Rothschild hadreceived intelligence down to the 29th, at 4 P. M. Drummond showed me theDuke's letter to Peel which contained this account:--That there wasfighting all Wednesday, the 28th, and Thursday, till 3 P. M. There had beena terrible massacre, but the troops got the worst of it. The people wereled by the students of the Ecole de Droit, and of the Ecole Polytechnique. The 53rd Regiment, which it was said yesterday had joined the people, hadin fact surrendered. The people had armed themselves at the Arsenal. On thenight of the 28th the Guards retook the Hôtel de Ville, but were driven outagain, and retired to the Louvre. The firing did not cease at the Tuileriestill past 3 P. M. The people pillaged it when the troops retreated, and thetri-coloured flag was hoisted there, and on the column in the PlaceVendôme. The Ministers escaped by subterraneous passages from theTuileries, and were with the King, who had a great many troops about him atSt. Cloud. La Fayette commanded the National Guard, and was a member of theProvisional Government. Generals Gerard, Lafitte, and Casimir Perrier werethe others. C. Perrier was deputed to the King at St. Cloud. 

No couriers were allowed to leave Paris. These letters were sent by privateservants to the first stage. 

I told all this to Henry, but he goes. So do many others. There were thirtypeople applying for passports when he went for his. On the other hand manyEnglish come away. 

_August 2. _

There is a great deal of information in the 'Times. ' The result is, thatthe King's offer to change his Ministers and to recall the Ordonnances wasnot accepted, and the Duke of Orleans accepted the office of Lieutenant-General of the kingdom. His address is quite in the spirit of theRevolution. 

The Guards are disorganised and desert. 

The Swiss only are said to remain with the King, who it is thought is goneto Nantes. 

Lord Stuart says if the Royalists do not resist, the French will invadeBelgium in three months. The Deputies, at first in very small numbers, notmore than thirty, nor at any time much above sixty, seem to have beenirresolute. They were decided by others, and indeed the whole seems to havebeen done by the people. There is no appearance of previous concert. Ifthere were leaders, they were the boys of the Ecole de Droit and the EcolePolytechnique. Polignac seems to have been firm after the beginning of thefight, and when Lafitte and others went to Marmont at the Tuileries, in themiddle of the tumult, he declared concession impossible. 

The Guards at St. Cloud told the King they would protect him, but would notadvance again to Paris. General [blank] seems to have had 6, 000 men atVersailles, but the people would not admit him. At Rouen there was greatferment, and forty pieces of cannon were sent by the people to theassistance of Paris. The troops seem to have been ordered upon Paris fromall quarters. The total loss of life is estimated at 5, 000. 

The people were becoming impatient, and cried _Vive la République! ViveNapoleon II. _! This, it is said, determined the Duke of Orleans to accept:and the Deputies offered, because they feared the establishment of aRepublic would be the signal of general war. 

I do not hear of the pillage of private houses. The churches have beenpillaged and the palaces ransacked. The priests thought fit to fire fromthe Archbishop's palace, which led to the death of many and to the pillageof the palace. 

The Duke said they had done everything in the most offensive way, re-establishing the tri-coloured flag, &c. They seem determined to force theRevolution down the throat of Europe. He spoke of the Duke of Orleans'address. I said I supposed he was obliged for his own safety to throwhimself at once into the Revolution. The more natural thing would have beenfor the French to have sent for young Napoleon. The Duke said he heardyoung Napoleon was getting hold of French pamphlets, &c. 

The Duke of Orleans asked Lord Stuart's advice as to accepting the Crown. Lord Stuart reminded him of his oath, and told him the Powers of Europewhich restored the Bourbons could never recognise him. 

On consideration I think we should endeavour to induce the Powers whichsigned the Treaty of Vienna to declare that they are determined to maintainthe territorial arrangements made by that treaty; but that they will notinterfere with the internal Government of France. 

I think this declaration, made at once, would perhaps prevent any attempton the part of the French to make war for the frontier of the Rhine. 

The elections go well for us, except Canterbury, where Lord Fordwich hasbeat our man, Henry B. Baring, the husband of Lady Augusta. 

_August 3. _

The accounts from Paris state that the Due de Mortemar, who had beenappointed Minister by Charles X. Himself, saw it was too late, and that theonly chance for the House of Bourbon was in the placing the Duke of Orleansin the office of Lieut. -General. 

This he proposed himself to the Duke of Orleans, who wrote to the King, andin accepting the office said his conduct would show with what views he didit. Then he issued a tri-colour proclamation! Lord Stuart says this wasdone at the last possible moment. The proclamation was received with criesof _Vive la Republique! Vive Napoleon II. _! However, these cries ceased, and it was hoped things would go on quietly. Sebastiani and B. Constantexpressed hopes that in a few months men's minds would be tranquillised, and things placed on a regular footing It seems that the King is atTrianon, with about 4, 000 guards. He talked of resigning to the Dauphin, ifhe had not already done so. It will probably be too late, and the Dauphinis supposed, I believe very justly, to be implicated in all that haspassed. 

Lord Stuart states the loss of the troops at 3, 000. That of the people at6, 000. Of course these calculations are very vague, and probablyexaggerated. It would appear as if there had been more preparation on thepart of the insurgents than was imagined. The decisive measure, that of theBank refusing discounts, was of course suggested by Lafitte. The Royalistsare much in want of money. They left forty-two millions in their caisses, and 150 millions at the Bank! Bourmont was to leave Algiers on the 25th. Probably he was called home to be present at the crisis. 

The King's troops still remaining in force at St. Cloud, the barricades arecontinued. 

Everybody seems to think the military force was as ill-managed aseverything else. Marmont acted _mollement_. 

We have been beaten at Canterbury, and what is worse at Norwich, where abrother of Peel's has been driven out by Robert Grant, the most decidedenemy of the Government. No one declares himself the opponent ofGovernment, and as such asks support; but our candidates do not succeed atpopular elections. 

_August 4. _

To London early. The King of France is supposed to be gone towardsCherbourg. We fear he will come here. The Duke said the King seemeddisposed to receive him, and reminded the King that the Pretender had beenthree times ordered out of Paris on the representations of this country. Iwas glad to find a very general feeling that the King of France could notbe permitted to remain if intrigues were allowed by him. That he could haveno more than a refuge. Peel seemed to feel this most strongly. The Dukeseemed to think there had been previous concert on the part of the_patriots_. 

The King is violent against the Duke of Orleans. 

Our Duke of Orleans, as I call him, the Duke of Sussex, sticks close to theKing whenever he appears. 

The Duke of Cumberland has resigned the Blues in a huff because they areplaced under the Commander-in-Chief. However, he wore the uniform to-day atthe levée. 

We have a Cabinet to-morrow at 4, on Civil List and Regency. Indeed we knownot how soon we may meet Parliament. Perhaps on September 15. 

The Queen received the address of the London clergy. She had her whole_état major_. 

_August 5. _

At four Cabinet. Talk about the Civil List. There are pensions to theamount of about 7, 000£ a year which the present King will pay, and he willpay 6, 000£ a year to Mrs. Fitzherbert, her charge on Brighton. She had10, 000£ a year before. Many pensions are struck off, one of 500£ to Sir J. Lake, many others, to jockies, &c. 

It seems the late King borrowed 50, 000£ for himself and as much for theDuke of York, on the revenues of Hanover, which sums have been paid off. 

The King of France abdicated, and so did the Dauphin, in favour of the Ducde Bordeaux, in a letter addressed by them to the Duke of Orleans, in whichhis Lieut. -Generalship was treated as emanating from the King. The Duke ofOrleans in his speech to the Chambers announced the abdications, but didnot say they were in favour of Henry V. Hence the people of Paris, hearingthe King made difficulties, supposed he had receded from his originalpromise--whereas he only said his original promise was conditional, _andhad not_ been fairly made known. Be this as it may, 35, 000 men set off forRambouillet to take him, 10, 000 were sent afterwards by the Duke of Orleansto protect him, and he has 7, 000 at Rambouillet, chiefly cavalry andartillery, for the same purpose. I think there must be a smash. 

Stuart and Pozzo went to the Duke of Orleans to represent the personaldanger of the King, and to desire that measures might be taken to preservehis life. The Duke is represented as having been _très ému_, and as havingsaid that his character depended upon the preservation of the King's life, and the measures I mentioned were immediately taken. 

Chateaubriand and Hyde de Neuville are for the Due de Bordeaux. 

Stuart has, I know not why, counselled the Duc de Bordeaux's friends to bequiet. 

The Duke of Wellington thinks there is Radicalism in everything-that theLieut. -General will have no power. 

The King went in grand state through the City to the Tower. He had sixcarriages and six. At the Tower the Duke gave him a breakfast. He then wenton to Greenwich by water, and returned to London by land. He was very wellreceived. 

_August 6. _

At the dinner we had the Ministers, Household, and Trinity House. Chairmanand deputy-Chairman of the East India Company, Governor and deputy-Governorof the Bank, Lord Mayor, and Ward and Thompson, members for the City. TheKing made speeches and gave toasts as if he was Duke of Clarence at theTrinity House. He alarmed and pained us, but he did less mischief than Ishould have expected; and as all the people present were real friends, heonly let down the dignity of the Crown. 

He gave the healths of the Ministers, and afterwards of the Duke ofWellington. Some things he said very well. The Duke answered very well. 

There is so much good feeling about the King that his errors of taste arepardoned. He will improve, and wear his robes more gracefully. 

_August 7. _

Cabinet. Determined that the principle of the Regency Bill should be thatthe mother of the Sovereign should be Regent. The Regent to have unlimitedpower. If any limitation, it should only be placed upon the creation ofPeers, and a Council of Regency should exist only for that purpose. 

We separated till the 23rd. 

_August 9. _

In coming down to Sandgate read James's and Cabell's memoranda on theprogress of the British Government in India, and our foreign relations. 

As I was coming out of Maidstone met the candidates coming in. Sir E. Knatchbull in a cocked hat, attended by thirty or forty gentlemen in black, all covered with dust, preceded by about six blue flags, and followed bysome carriages with ugly women. Then came T. Law Hodges (why _Law_ I do notknow), with many light blue flags, and some low people--few gentlemen. Thenumbers, however, of the Hodges colours and people were greater than thatof the Knatchbull squad. Not a cheer for either. The whole thing flat andridiculous--worthy of Hogarth. There were some people collected inMaidstone, but not so many as on a market day--there were none on theroads. 

By the 'Times' I see the Chamber has modified the Charter, and hasproclaimed the Duke of Orleans King of the French; at least has offered himthe Crown on the condition of his acceptance of the modified Charter. 

The Chamber of Peers is put by. It is only advised to _eliminate_ the lastseventy-six peers. 

_August 10. _

Briscoe comes in for Surrey, to the exclusion of Jolliffe, our friend. Certainly the popular elections have all been unfavourable to us. In factthe Tories have not yet recovered their good-humour, and the Government hassome furious enemies, and no warm friends. I do not think we can go onwithout an accession of speaking strength. Our measures must be modified tomeet the circumstances of the times, and so far I have no fear. 

_August 13. _

Cabinet room. Read Lord Stuart's despatches. There is little in them thatis not in the newspapers. He says the Revolution has been brought about bysmall proprietors acting under the influence of bankers and lawyers. Thetroops have shown no great popular feeling. Many have taken the opportunityof going home. 

The new King's oath-taking was flatly received. As long as he can keep LaFayette with him he is master of Paris. 

Lord Stuart seems to have behaved prudently in merely acknowledging thereceipt of the communication from Marshal Jourdan of his being appointedforeign secretary. The Neapolitan Ambassador wished to have a notegenerally agreed upon. All the Ambassadors say they are so sure Englandwill judge rightly, that they will, without instructions, follow in ourwake. 

La Fayette has originated the idea of a mission of deputies of the NationalGuard to London to thank the English people for their sympathy. Lord Stuarthopes the King will induce La Fayette to give up this mischievous andfoolish scheme. 

_August 18. _

Lord J. Russell is not returned for Bedford. He lost it by one vote. He haspublished a good address, and is evidently very indignant. 

Brougham has had questions put to him by Martin Bree, which he has answeredsatisfactorily to the venereal doctor. It would have been good fun had theyfought. 

The only merit of the French Revolution seems to be that it has not beenvindictive. If they are wise they will not touch the lives of theMinisters. The new King calls his eldest son Duke of Orleans. All thedaughters are to be Princesses of Orleans, distinguished by their Christiannames. 

This is like Henry IV. 's policy in reserving the Duchy of Lancaster. Hewishes to be able to make room for Henry V. He has given up his property tohis eldest son's little children, and would probably, if he were displaced, emigrate quietly, as he has often done before, and leave his children inpossession. 

When Brougham accused the Duke of Wellington of advising Polignac, thewhole meeting of his own friends expressed dissent. It is incredible thathe should be so foolish as to believe such a thing, or as to attempt tomake others believe it. 

_August 19. _

I see by the 'Sun' that the ex-King of France is arrived at Portsmouth. Iam very sorry for it, although he will not be received by the King, andwill probably sail immediately. He may require refitting, for I dare say hebrought off little from Rambouillet. His packets are accompanied by twoFrench vessels of war, and all the French vessels at Spithead hoisted thetri-coloured flag when he was known to be there. 

_August 20. _

It seems the Royal party have landed at Cowes. 

_August 23. _

Went to the Cabinet room to read despatches. Lord Stuart represents theGovernment as by no means settled; anxious to remain at peace, and toprevent revolution, but not secure. Things which are essential the new Kingis obliged to ask humbly of La Fayette, who is now really Sovereign. 

La Fayette wanted to dissolve the Chamber. The King rightly thought that todo so now would be to make a Convention. [Footnote: I. E. As in 1792. ]

Some persons are gone off to bring Napoleon II. , but the Austrians willstop them on the way. 

The Prussians on the first intelligence of the events at Paris sent ordersto their Minister to come away, but he was directed not to do so withoutconcert with his colleagues. They met, and agreed to recommend him to stay. The disposition of Metternich and Nesselrode, who met at Toplitz orCarlsbad, I forget which, was the same and reasonable--to leave France tosettle her own affairs quietly, and only to interfere if she invaded thepeace of other States. 

The Duke has left a memorandum on the Cabinet table showing clearly fromtreaties that this is not a case in which we are bound to interfere. Weengaged to support a constitutional monarch against revolutionarymovements, but the monarch having violated the constitution has broken thecondition. France may still form a part of the Congress of Europe, in'Union or _Pacific Concert_, ' with the four great Powers. The treaty ofoffensive alliance between those Powers is dormant, while France remainsunder a constitutional King. 

The Duke properly thinks that the sooner, after having taken a decent timefor deliberation, we can recognise the Duke of Orleans, the better for himand for us. 

He expects at no distant period war, as the consequence of these events, and I fear he may be right. It will arise by the imitation of the Spaniardsand Portuguese, and the ambitious sympathy of the French. 

It is evident that Russia means to indulge France with Algiers. 

_August 23. _

Received a letter from the Duke respecting Rajpootana. He thinks thecession of territory will only lead to new demands on our part, and advisesthat, unless it should be necessary to give some instruction, the lettershould not be sent. He thinks, too, that as no brevet has been given toKing's officers in Ava, none can be given to those of the Company. I am tosee him tomorrow upon these points. 

Cabinet at 3. Showed Herries the answer I proposed sending, respecting theInterest Bills, of which he entirely approved. 

Peel was not at the Cabinet. 

Read the Duke of Orleans' letter to the King, which is proper. He says helaments and wishes he could have prevented the fall of the eldest branch ofhis family. He _devoted_ himself to prevent misfortunes which would haveendangered the peace of Europe. He avows pacific intentions. 

The King is to receive General Baudrand, who brought the letter in theLevee, which will be before the Council on Wednesday. 

The King of the French will be acknowledged. A letter will be written toour Ministers with the great powers stating our reasons for doing so. Thiswill be read to the Foreign Ministers here. 

I suggested that it might be as well to make the letter substantially theDuke's Memorandum, and particularly to remind France that the QuadrupleAlliance still existed. We shall have the drafts of the letter tomorrow. 

Parliament to be prorogued to October 26. 

To-morrow the Brazilians will acknowledge Miguel as the Regent, if he willmarry Maria da Gloria. Then came some absurd conditions. However, the thingis to be considered to-morrow. Aberdeen's idea is that there is no doinganything with Don Pedro, and that we must acknowledge Don Miguel as soon ashe will grant an amnesty. 

We were to have a Council on Wednesday for the prorogation. The King willnot much like this, as he wanted to go to Ascot, but he may have it asearly as he likes, and he ought to receive General Baudrand soon. We mayhave the Council at 10, and he may be at Ascot in excellent time. 

_August 24. _

The Council is at 1. At 1 I went to the Duke. Told him of my recent lettersto the Chairs. He said we must not make bankrupts of the Company, if wewould use them hereafter. I said it was my duty to state the case of thepublic, as the Board were guardians of the territorial revenue. 

A letter from Count Moltke, requesting to see me. I have appointed to-morrow at 3. 

Cabinet at 3. Aberdeen read the proposed letter from the King to King LouisPhilippe. With a few trifling alterations it was adopted. 

The Duke called on Marmont to-day, and received from him a military accountof the affair at Paris. Marmont said he knew nothing of the Ordonnances, and disapproved of them. He was at the King's levée on the Tuesday, and wastold there were _quelques inquiétudes_ at Paris, and to take the command ofthe troops. He found only 7, 000 men. Polignac, forgetting any were _encongé_, thought there were 12, 000. He occupied the Places de l'Hôtel deVille, de la Bastille, de Victoire, and de Vendôme in sufficient force. Histroops were not attacked. He withdrew them at night, and reoccupied thePosts in the morning. Then the attack began. The troops maintainedthemselves, but he found it necessary to withdraw them to the Louvre, theTuileries, the Pont Neuf, and the Place de Vendôme. In the Louvre he hadtwo battalions of Swiss; two battalions of the Line in the Place deVendôme; the Guards in the Tuileries. He kept open his communication withthe country by posts at all the avenues leading to the garden of theTuileries and the Bois de Boulogne, Champs Elysées, &c. The battalion atthe Place de la Bastille could not retreat by the straight road, and wasobliged to march all round Paris, crossing the river at the bridge nearestCharenton, and coming to the Tuileries by the Faubourg. 

The two battalions in the Place de Vendôme went over to the people. He thensent one battalion from the Louvre to the grille of the Tuileries garden, opposite the Rue de Rivoli, and so protected his flank. On Thursday he hadlost 1, 800 men, killed and wounded; and 1, 200 _égarés_--besides the twobattalions; but he had received a reinforcement of 3, 000 men. The troopswere _extenués de fatigue_. When Lafitte and the others came to him he toldhim he could not order the fire to cease. He was attacked. 

If the fire of the people ceased, his troops would not fire. He fairly toldthe King it was not _une commotion_, nor even _une insurrection_, but _uneRévolution_. There were not above thirty or forty people behind thebarriers, but all the windows were occupied by armed men. He counselledconcession, but Polignac would not hear of it. He said Polignac was_l'homme le plus présomptueux_ he had ever seen. 

When the Louvre was attacked the Swiss ran out towards the Tuileries andcarried with them a battalion he had in the Place de Carrousel, as well astwo guns he had with him. The rush was such he could hardly get upon hishorse, and the men ran so fast that a person he sent after them onhorseback found them almost at the extremity of the Tuileries garden. However, some returned to protect the retreat of about sixty men whom hehad got together to defend the grille at the Arc de Triomphe in the Placede Carrousel. They were just enabled to retreat. 

Marmont is violent against the Swiss, who were, he says, retained in theFrench service by higher pay and privileges for _this very thing_, and yetthey ran away in this shameful manner. 

Marmont means to go to Italy for a year. After that he hopes he can returnto France. He has no wish to emigrate. 

If the account in Lord Stuart's report be correct, France is in adeplorable state. In many parts of the country no taxes are paid, and theRepublican party has not lost hope. 

The conditions of what Don Pedro considers a conciliatory arrangement areentirely inadmissible. They are founded upon the marriage of Donna Maria daGloria, and England, France, and Austria are to guarantee her against any_injure_ she may receive from her husband. Certainly we may safely saythese terms are inadmissible, and so break off all negotiations with DonPedro, who, since these terms were proposed by him, has recognised theindependent Regency of Terceira. By-the-bye, one of his terms is thepayment, by Portugal, of all the expenses incurred by himself for DonnaMaria. 

It seems the draft of a decree of amnesty has been sent to Lisbon, and ifMiguel will pass that decree we are to recognise him. 

The Chancellor and others seemed to think this was an awkward time, and wehad better wait a little. I think so too. However, undoubtedly our earlyrecognition of Miguel might lead to the prevention of a PortugueseRevolution. 

There was much conversation respecting the Bank Charter. It seemed to bethe general opinion that Government should take it upon itself to arrangeterms with the Bank, which terms will be prohibition to any other Bank toissue notes within twenty-five miles of London. This being granted, theBank will do the public business for 100, 000£ a year less. The wholequestion of country banking, whether it is to be with limited or unlimitedresponsibility, a limited or an unlimited number of partners, is to be leftopen to Parliament. 

I suggested that the most important question was the revision of taxation. My view now is that we must take off some of the taxes which press most onthe poorer classes, and have an income tax. I dislike an income tax as muchas any one. To me it is a very oppressive tax, but I believe it may becomenecessary. 

Walked to the corner of Hyde Park with Lord Rosslyn. Had some conversationwith him respecting the changes necessary in the Government before we meetParliament. He says Lord Althorpe will not come in without Lord Grey, andhe is not sure Lord Grey would not stipulate for Lord Durham. The latter isout of the question on account of his temper. I do not think the Governmentcould go on with the Duke and Lord Grey. Of the Huskissonians, Palmerstonis the only one. To E. Stanley there is no objection. 

_August 26. _

At 3 Count Moltke came to the office. He had two Danish claims to speakabout. 

Dinner at the Albion for Clare. There were present of the Ministers, Peel, Rosslyn, Goulburn, Herries; then Lord F. Leveson, Calcraft, the Solicitor-General, W. Peel, Lord G. Somerset, Planta, Gen. Macdonald, Col. Fitz-Clarence, Lord Tenterden. Of Clare's friends Glengall, Agar Ellis, Sneyd, Lord Templeton, besides H. Vyner, and Upton, who go with him. 

I spoke feebly, not being well; besides, I did not think it in good tasteto make a great speech; but to leave Clare's the first speech of the day. Peel made a very good speech; but too much of it. Clare really spoke veryfeelingly and well. He spoke a little too much of his gratitude to theCourt. 

I had some conversation with Loch. I was as well received as I expected, and better, considering the run that has been made at me. The Duke went offto Walmer Castle, very wisely, for he wants sea air; but Clare would havebeen more pleased had he been present, and the Directors too. TheMinisters' healths were well received. 

_August 28. _

Received from Elphinstone his remarks upon the proposed letter to Bombay, respecting native education, of which he generally approves. He stronglyurges the sending out of European professors, young men, acquainted withEnglish literature, to learn the language there, and teach the natives. Ihave sent the extract from his letter to Astell, suggesting that theUniversities of Oxford, Cambridge, Dublin, and Edinburgh should each namethose from whom should be selected the necessary number. I have observedthat the object of native education is of such importance that the state ofthe finances must not prevent its accomplishment. 

_August 30. _

Wrote a very long letter to Hardinge on the present position of theGovernment and our policy. I gave my opinion that any accession of menwhich destroyed the unity of the Duke's Government would do harm. That wemust meet our difficulties by measures. That the first was a revision oftaxation, that no men we could get would add moral strength to theGovernment, and the Whigs would not support unless they had half theGovernment. That the question of Reform could not be made an open question. It was best for the country that parties should be decidedly separated. Itmight then choose which it preferred, and men would be obliged to take aside. We had better be out with character than in with a detachment of theenemy, in possession of a gate. Still TALK we must have, and we want afinancier. I said of myself that I cared little about office. I shouldwithout reluctance acquiesce in retirement if the Duke could fill my officemore advantageously, and I believe Rosslyn would do. I thought Rosslynwould like Ireland or Paris. 

I do not think it improbable Hardinge may send this letter to the Duke. 

_August 31. _

An insurrection at Brussels, the houses of the Ministers burnt. The troopsfired and killed many. They, not being 1, 500, retired to the park, andformed before the palace. An evening paper I got at Ashford says thenobility had joined the people, and the troops had acceded on condition ofkeeping their arms, and guarding the palace. If this Revolution takes theline of union with France, war is almost inevitable. It may be only for amore popular form of Government, but what the people of the Netherlandsdesire is annexation to a great State. They are ashamed of being Dutch. 

Most fortunately all our manufacturers are in full employment, and theharvest is abundant. The peace and constitution of England have dependedupon fine weather. 

Clare, from whom I heard to-day, tells me Lord Wellesley assures him thereis to be a Revolution in Spain, and named the day. The nobles are supposedto be at the head of it. This may all be true, for our Ministers never findanything out; but my apprehension is that there will be a low, ill-supported revolutionary movement. 

Received a letter from Lady Londonderry. She first wishes me to obtain, ifI can, Ward's exchange to a better climate. This I have told her I havealready endeavoured to do; but that I have no expectation of Aberdeen'sdoing it. 

Lady L. Says her brother was two hours with the Duke, and as long with LordGrey. The latter would have acted a second part, but the Duke would notadmit him. I have told her I think she must have misunderstood LordCamden's account, and that she may be assured it is not the Duke'scharacter to fear an equal. 

I sent her letter to Hardinge, and asked him if he knew anything of theaffair. I cannot imagine when it can have taken place. Lord Camden was anodd person to employ. He knows so little of Lord Grey. Rosslyn would havebeen the natural envoy if it proceded from the Duke; but I think it musthave been a volunteer of Lord Camden's. 

_September 2. _

Read the papers relative to the Danish claims. Canning seems to havedecided one case, that of the Danish East India Company, hastily. However, we cannot undo a decision of a Secretary of State. 

The other case, that of the private individuals at Tranquebar, has beendetermined in their favour. 

_September 3. _

Had a long conversation with Herries, with whom I rode for a long time, respecting affairs, both here and abroad. He is rather downcast. However, he thinks this Belgian insurrection will be put down. Rothschild hasexported 800, 000£ in silver and 400, 000£ in gold to meet his bills whenthey become due--diffident of having anything paid to himself. 

_September 5. _

Cabinet room. Found Lord Rosslyn there. He told me the substance of areport I did not see of Col. Jones, who was sent by the Duke to theNetherlands, and is returned. He says the Prince of Orange is with 1, 600men in the park and palace at Brussels; 5, 000 men are close at hand underPrince Frederick of Orange, at Vilvorde, and two bodies of 10, 000 each aremarching upon the same point. The troops at the palace have twelve guns. All the troops show a good disposition. 

The first deputation from Brussels was rather insolent. They were treatedaccordingly, and told to return without cockades, &c. They did so, and thePrince agreed to go into Brussels without troops. There was a great crowd, and for a moment he was separated from the staff and the Garde Bourgeoise, and alone in the midst of the people. He leapt his horse over a barrier andso got back. A Commission of very respectable men has been appointed toinvestigate grievances. So the thing will rest till the meeting of theStates on September 13. 

There is a letter from Lord Heytesbury giving an account of hisconversations with the Emperor of Russia. The Emperor is violent againstthe Bourbons; says very correctly that his treaties only oblige him tomaintain a constitutional King. Still he may recognise, but shall alwaysconsider the Duke of Orleans as a usurper. 

Prussia seems very prudent; disposed to recognise, but to state thecondition of peace--that the territorial possessions of 1815 shall bemaintained. Austria seems to be less prudent. Metternich sent to Bernstorffthe answer he intended to give, which required a declaration of not havingany intention to interfere in the affairs of France, but required a pledgeas to the observance of the Treaty of 1815 before recognition. Bernstorffvery prudently advised Austria to recognise unconditionally. 

The Spaniards seem to have been in great consternation at first. 

The Minister (Addington) thinks the King and Queen are so popular, and thepublic interest is so much directed to the Queen's approachingaccouchement, that no revolutionary movement of importance is likely totake place. He deprecates, however, the commencement of any such movement, because he thinks it would enable the Apostolical Party [Footnote: The namegiven in Spain and Portugal to the Absolutist and Clerical Party. ] toinduce the King to dismiss his present quiet Ministers, and have recourseto measures of rigour, which would infallibly ruin the dynasty. Spain, andindeed all the Powers, seem to look for instruction to England, and therecan be no doubt that all will recognise and all be quiet. Salmon, when hecommunicated to the King the events in France, said, 'Your Majesty sees howdangerous over-zeal is in a Minister. No one could be more devoted to theRoyal Family than Prince Polignac. '

The King said, 'I see it. '

However, notwithstanding this, they say he is so weak that he may adopt aviolent course. 

Nothing can be more correct than the conduct of M. Molé, the FrenchSecretary of State for Foreign Affairs. He is most anxious to preservepeace in Europe, the new King's Government in France, and himself inoffice. He is much alarmed by the events in Belgium, and wished ourMinister to join the French Minister at Brussels in recommending someconcession to the King of the Netherlands. The Duke has, as Rosslyn toldme, written a memorandum to serve as the basis of Aberdeen's dispatch, verycivil indeed to Molé, very much satisfied with the disposition evinced bythe French Government, but, in our ignorance of the real state of things, declining to advise the King of the Netherlands. 

It is very amusing to see the French Government most _liberally_ permittingthe Bonaparte family to return to France, and most _prudently_ sendingcirculars to all the Ministers of the Powers which signed the protocols of1815, urging them in the name of that treaty not to allow the members ofthe Bonaparte family to leave their present residences. 

It seems this is very necessary; for although their partisans can do littlewithout their presence, they might do much with it. 

Martignac has got together sixty members of the Chamber of Deputies whowill act _en masse_ for royalty. 

There is no military force to keep people in order, and the National Guarddoes not like doing so. In fact the Revolution is not over. Things may goon as they are, but we have as yet no security. The French seem heartilysick of Algiers. It costs a great deal of money. Tropical products will notgrow there. The climate does not suit the French troops, who have besides amost extraordinary _maladie de pays. _ They must send 15, 000 men more thereto maintain it, as now they have no more than the town. They are willing togive it up to the Sultan if he will renounce tribute, &c. 

I never considered the acquisition of importance to France. I always feltwe might vex the French to death by the use of a little money which wouldat any time have brought forward all the Arabs from the desert. The portwill only hold a few vessels. 

The Emperor of Russia proposes to cut the Greek question short by proposingthe crown at once, without the intervention of France, to Prince Frederickof Orange, and if he should refuse, then to Prince Charles of Bavaria, whowe know will accept. 

I should say from all I have read to-day that if France should make anaggressive movement all Europe would be united against her as in 1813; butif she remain quiet within her own frontier no Power will wish to molesther. 

It is satisfactory to observe the increased prudence and reasonableness ofthe great States; their general union, and the deference which in the hourof danger they all show to the opinion of England. 

There are some apprehensions, I hear, of riots at Manchester. There is nocause for them. All men can get work. I would put them down with a stronghand. 

_September 6. _

Saw at the office Colonel Monteith. 

The King of Persia has about six millions sterling left in his treasury ingold and silver, besides jewels unsaleable on account of their high price, but which might be estimated at four millions more. 

There will be a civil war on the death of the Shah. 

Abbas Mirza might succeed if he had energy, but he is the weakest man onearth. Probably all the Rajahs will be put down and some new dynastyestablished. 

The chiefs are not likely to serve the Russians at any time. The Persiansare fine men and make excellent soldiers, bearing heat and cold, but notwet and damp. Officers there are none. 

The Russians lose 10, 000 men a year in Georgia and Caucasus, and it coststhem about 500, 000£ a year. They have never conquered the country. 

The cession lately obtained from Turkey has enabled the Russians to putdown the robbers who lived in Abkasia; [Footnote: The country at thewestern end of the Caucasus. ] but it is of no value for purposes ofoffensive war--of some for defence. 

It is cheaper in the proportion of 100 to 220 to send goods to Tabriz byTrebizond than by the Persian Gulf. 

The Imaum of Muscat carries on a large trade in opium between the Red Seaand China. He carries British manufactures to the Indus, and tradesextensively with Cochin China, where sugar is half the price it is inIndia. 

The officers of the Crown Prince's army all speak Turkish. It is moreimportant to have at the head of it a man of energy than one conversantwith Persian. 

His rank should be increased, as now he is made to rank below the lastmember of the Mission. 

The disturbed state of Persia has driven much trade to the Indus which wascarried on by the Euphrates. 

Persia may now be considered not as a monarchy, but a Federative State, allthe King's sons being independent Princes. 

Colonel Monteith was at Algiers--the only Englishman in the army. There mayhave been twenty foreigners in all. He had letters of introduction and gotthere in a transport, taking his chance of being sent back. He was with theintendant of the army, and at the siege was attached to a division. Bourmont offered to receive him in his family. Bourmont was hated anddespised. He seemed to take very little trouble about the army, and toleave everything to the generals of division. On the 19th, the day of thebattle, he lost 600 men by not advancing sooner. The moment he advanced theenemy fled. The loss was 2, 200 men in all, yet fifty were never to be seendead and wounded together. The loss was by skirmishing at long shots alongthe whole of the line. This sometimes lasted all day, and the troops, beingyoung, were too foolhardy. The Arabs are a miserable race, half naked. Everything beyond Algiers seems a desert. For eight miles round Algiers thecultivation is beautiful, and the villas more numerous than near any townhe ever saw. A profusion of water. The town, miserable in the extreme, inhabited by Moors and the descendants of Turks, about 50, 000. The port isformed by one pier which hardly protects two or three frigates. There is nosafety in the bay. 

There were 3, 000 Turkish soldiers in Algiers, and about 7, 000 in thecountry. These kept order. Now they are sent away the French may coloniseextensively, but they cannot keep the country with the present inhabitants. 

The Dey had ten millions sterling in gold and silver, a treasure which hadbeen accumulating since the time of Barbarossa. [Footnote: A famous corsairof the sixteenth century. ] He claimed 400, 000£ as his own, and was allowedto carry it away. The French enquired about the jewels of the Regency. TheDey said there were no jewels but those which belonged to his wives, and_la galanterie Française_ would respect them as private property. So theydid. 

There was a magazine containing 250, 000£ of things in the trinket line. There were 150 ornamental daggers, all the presents of European princes, &c. Colonel Monteith saw one officer coolly put into his pocket a watch setin diamonds, which had evidently been given by a King of England, worth, hesupposed, 2, 000£. 

General Lavardo pillaged more openly than any one. He had thirty soldiersemployed in carrying off his pillage. 

The affair at Belida was accidental. Bourmont went out with 1, 600 men andinvited the chiefs to meet him. They were coming peaceably; but some Arabssaw the French artillerymen taking their horses down to water without theirguns, and they could not help attempting to steal. The artillerymen beatthem off; but the firing having begun was soon converted into a battle. Bourmont beat them off, but thought it expedient to retreat. 

The beach was particularly favourable for landing. The weather fine, andthere was plenty of time to prepare. 

The thing best done was by General Valagi, who in eighteen hours raised acontinued work of a mile and a half. He had 1, 600 sappers and miners. Colonel Monteith is in admiration of this entrenchment, which wasbeautifully finished, and was capable of resisting 30, 000 regular troops. 

The Arabs are miserably mounted. The Dey's two best horses were not worth30l. Each. 

Duperre he thought a man willing to do all, but quite overpowered by themanagement of 100 ships of war and 500 transports. His reports are alllies. Bourmont's are nearest the truth. The ships, with the exception ofthose which were in the Levant, were not in good order. There seemed to beno discipline. 

The army never wanted either water or provisions. Water was within threefeet of the surface everywhere. In the gardens on the side of the hillstowards Algiers the water was found at the depth of twenty feet. 

Nothing could be more perfect than the equipment of the army. Theycalculated the cost of the expedition at four millions. 

I see by the newspapers that the Prince of Orange yielded the point of thecolours to the deputation from Brussels. He seems to have conceded a greatdeal, but to have acted with great personal courage and decision. It isexpected that the Commission he appointed have asked for the separation ofHolland from Belgium, and the establishment of a Federal union only; twocountries under one King with distinct legislatures, armies, &c. The greattowns are quiet. Holland ready to march upon Brussels. 

I shall not be satisfied unless some of the Bruxellois are hanged forpillage. 

The answers of the King seem to have been firm and judicious. 

It is impossible not to admire the constancy of the troops, who bivouackedfor eight days in the park. 

The French Government seems too weak or too timid to prevent outrage inParis. The printers' devils will have no machinery for printing! It isentertaining to see those who make all revolutions suffer by them. 

_September 7. _

Saw Greville at the Treasury. He told me he had got from Lord Chesterfieldthat Palmerston had no objection to come in. Lord Melbourne had; but theyrequired the sacrifice of Aberdeen, Bathurst, and Arbuthnot. There must besome mistake about this condition. I told Greville if he could get a _fact_to communicate it to the Duke. 

It is feared the Prince of Orange is gone away to the Hague. He promisedColonel Jones he would be firm. 

_September 8. _

The Prince of Orange certainly went to the Hague. He was received thereenthusiastically. The proposition he takes is for Federal union. I fear hemust submit to some modification of that, or encounter real opposition andcivil war. 

_September 9. _

Hardinge gives me rather an indifferent account of Ireland. Great animositystill existing between the Catholics and Protestants in the _lower_ ranks;in the higher, peace. A revolutionary disposition raised in the middleclasses by the example of Prance. Great dissatisfaction in consequence ofthe proposed taxation of last session. 

He told the Duke, and so did Arbuthnot, that he might dispose of theiroffices if he wanted them. He seems to think Peel is tired and anxious towithdraw--annoyed at the idea of being unpopular, an idea the defeat of hisbrothers has given him. This makes him less energetic than he should bewith respect to the measures necessary to strengthen himself in the Houseof Commons. 

_September 10. _

It seems the desire of separation is general in the Netherlands. It is theresult of national prejudice and vanity. The Dutch seem just as violent theother way, and the deputies were rather in danger at Rotterdam. Theseparation will probably defeat the objects of the great Powers in 1814, for it is idle to expect such terms of Federal union as will enable the twoStates to act cordially together. 

_September 11. _

By withdrawing his troops from the palace, and going to the Hague, thePrince of Orange has ruined his cause. He has appeared to give it up. 

_September 13. _

Read on my way to London the intelligence obtained by Lord Heytesburyrelative to the Russian trade with Tartary and on the Caspian. It is veryfull and satisfactory. 

The 'Times' has a sensible article on the state of France; the want ofmaterials to form a constitutional monarchy, the growing dissatisfactionthat _more_ is not done in a revolutionary sense, and the irresponsiblepower of a deliberative army of 800, 000 men. 

Ghent and Antwerp seem to cling to the connection between Holland andBelgium, and I begin to hope that if France is tranquil the Bruxellois andLiègeois may grow tired and become reasonable. Men cannot play atbarricades long when no one attacks them. 

_September 14. _

House of Lords. I had to wait half an hour for the seals, which werecarelessly carried off by Lady Lyndhurst in her carriage. 

Talked to Rosslyn. He told me Aberdeen was led to expect another revolutionin France. The paper they were going to prosecute was an _affiche_ callingupon the French people to overthrow _l'aristocratie bourgeoise_, which wasas bad as the other, and to divide the lands. 

In the Netherlands the people and their leaders are divided, and if Antwerpand Ghent, &c. , remain firm, it signifies little what Brussels does. Brussels will be brought into terms by distress. 

Rosslyn thinks some of the Whigs as well as of the Tories will be alarmedby events on the Continent and support Government. 

He hears of no negotiations for accessions. 

The people of Brunswick, very justly provoked, have turned the Duke[Footnote: This was the eccentric Duke who died a few years ago at Geneva, bequeathing his whole property to the city, who have erected a monument tohim. ] out of the town and burnt his palace. He escaped with ten Hussars. Hedeserves his fate. I believe he is mad. He is a complete _vaurien. _

When Parliament is prorogued, as to-day, the peers are without their robes. The Chancellor was in his legal dress. The Commons appear without a summonsby their clerks, and the Chancellor merely desires the proclamation to beread. However, as it is held, _improperly, _ to be the first day of thesitting of Parliament, the return of the Scotch peers is laid on the table. All this is sanctioned by precedent, but contrary to reason. 

_September 20, 1830. _

Wrote a long letter to Hardinge upon the political consequences ofHuskisson's death, [Footnote: He was killed, as is well known, at theopening of the Liverpool and Manchester Railway. ] urging the introductionof Palmerston and Stanley. The latter to Vent the junction of the Whigaristocracy with the Radicals. 

I am sure, if measures are not taken immediately, we shall have all theHuskissonians, Whigs and Ultra-Tories (the last are insane), united againstus. 

Received from Sir J. Malcolm a letter with some enclosures about suttees. He has reluctantly and fearfully abolished suttee, making it culpablehomicide to assist, and murder to force the victim. He has done it, Ithink, wisely by a repeal of a clause in one regulation and an amendment. Thus not putting it vainly forward as Lord William did in a pompousdocument. 

He has abolished the Military Board, I believe, very wisely; but there maybe a difficulty with the Duke, if I cannot do it without talking to himabout it. I believe Sir J. Malcolm is quite right, and that there wouldhave been no hope of preserving a system of real economy had the MilitaryBoard been permitted to remain. 

I am curious to see his measure of checks on expenditure, that if it begood it may be adopted at the other Presidencies. 

Received some letters from Lord W. Bentinck. Lord Dalhousie has been veryill, and the command of the army would fall, Lord William says, into theweakest hands, if anything happened to him. 

The spirit of the army was becoming better, I gather from Lord William'sletter, but it required much attention. I have been thinking all day ofwhat measures may be adopted for improving it. 

_September 21. _

Office. Read to Cabell my memorandum on the alterations which might beintroduced into the army, which I wrote hurriedly this morning. He was longin the military department, and can be of much use. Cabinet room. I thinkthe result of Lord Stuart's dispatches is that the moderate party aregaining strength. I should say the facts we see in the newspapers lead to adifferent conclusion. 

The Ministers and the old leading members of the Chamber of Deputies actmanfully against the crowd. Their declarations of intention aresatisfactory. I really believe they mean to act honestly if they can. 

Austria seems to have hesitated about the acknowledgment of the King of theFrench after the receipt of a dispatch from Petersburg, and Metternich, whoseems to be growing weak, wavered after he had received General Belliardvery cordially. 

Prussia, that is _the King, _ hesitated about signing the letter to LouisPhilippe when he heard of the doubts of Austria. The result, however, isthat all _entrainés_ by us will acknowledge; the Emperor of Russia, who wasthe most reluctant, having determined to do so if the others did. I shouldsay there is this satisfactory conclusion to be drawn from what we haveseen, that if France showed a disposition to aggrandise herself all Europewould be against her. 

The object of the French Government is to place France exactly in theposition in which she stood a fortnight before the ordonnances--that is, Talleyrand's wish, and he has _rédigé_ his own instructions. 

Read Aberdeen's letter, dated the 17th, stating the necessity ofmaintaining cordial intercourse with and between Spain and Portugal, andintimating that on the promulgation of an amnesty according to the termsrecently communicated England will resume diplomatic relations with Miguel, but not otherwise. 

Spain seems to be sensible. There was a movement of folly about Royalistvolunteers which was put down, and the Government seems by no meansdisposed to give way to Absolutists. If the Queen should have a son Spainwill probably be tranquil. 

Talleyrand pretends the French will be reasonable about Algiers. I do notwish them to be so. I believe they could not have made a worse purchase. They will find the possession very expensive. Their troops will hate it, they will have nothing beyond their outposts, and it is no port. 

My first opinion is strengthened, that they could not be worse than if theywere left as they are. 

_September 24. _

The populace and the burghers at Brussels have quarrelled, and fought alittle. It seems the Liberals and the Catholics, [Footnote: They haveformed the two opposing parties in the Belgian Chambers since the countrybecame an independent State. They had temporarily united against ProtestantHolland. ] as the others are called, have been long diverging. The deputiesand men of property, excepting M. De Stassart, have become alarmed. ThePrince de Ligne and D'Aremberg and others have left Brussels. On the 21st, probably the 20th, in the evening a proclamation was published at Antwerpby Prince Frederick of Orange, noticing the excesses of the populace, andannouncing that the troops would relieve the burgher guard. This must havebeen done in concert with the influential persons of the town who arealarmed for their property. The Liégeois are very violent. They will beexpelled from Brussels. No more can get there, as the road is interrupted. 

The Dutch have but 20, 000 men, of whom the Belgians are as three to five. The Belgians had begun to desert, but they did not join the Bruxellois inany numbers. The hanging of some of the Brussels mob would have anexcellent effect. 

The Government of France seems to become weaker, and to permit things whichdiscredit it. 

A night or two ago some _ouvriers_ insisted on going into the King'sbedroom, after he was gone to sleep, woke him, and made him make a speechsitting up in his bed. Twelve departments have united against indirecttaxes, and few pay those which are direct. Meanwhile, the Algerine treasurehas been pillaged by the officers of the army, and ships clearing forToulon go elsewhere to land it. They want a loan, while the fallenGovernment would have had a surplus. They will find the raising of a loandifficult. The French are displeased by the coldness of Austria andPrussia, and by the marching of Austrian and Prussian troops. 

The King of Saxony has resigned, or rather he has associated his nephewwith himself as Co-Regent; the brother waiving his claim to the throne. 

The Landgrave of Hesse Cassel was met by a deputation requiring him to do anumber of public acts, and amongst the rest the dismissal of allmistresses. It seems the Electoral Prince has one to whom he is going to bemarried. 

The Duke of Brunswick lately galloped off _lui Troisième_ while his palacewas burning!

These are odd times!

However, here people seem to be inclined to be quiet. Even the CommonCouncil have by a large majority decided against congratulating or noticingthe French people. 

_September 26. _

Brandreth told me there was a report of the Belgian troops having enteredBrussels, and of a great massacre. There will be news to-morrow as the windis down. 

_September 27. _

No direct news from Brussels yet. There has been fighting for two days, andit was known at Antwerp that the first regiment that entered was nearlydestroyed. It seems the invitation of one section was a ruse. 

There are to be no Cabinets for eight or ten days, the Civil List not beingprepared. When we do meet we are not to separate. 

There seems to be every expectation of a new Ministry in Paris, and in therevolutionary sense. 

I saw Aberdeen. He rather expects it. 

Read the report of the Commission appointed to form the articles ofaccusation against the Ministers. It is a party speech, with little pointsand prettinesses, affecting moderation, and full of rancour. It is a nationwhich has no idea of justice. 

_September 28. _

Cabinet room. Dispatches of the 24th and 25th from Sir Ch. Bagot; but nonefrom Mr. Cartwright. When Sir Ch. Bagot wrote last thirty hours had elapsedwithout official intelligence, although the distance is only thirteenhours. It was known there had been hard fighting, that it was necessary totake in succession every house in the Rue Neuve Royale, that the troopswere in possession of the upper part of the town, and a proposition hadbeen made by the lower town for a cessation of hostilities, after whichthey had recommenced. 

It is evident the resistance has been most serious. 20, 000 French are inthe town, and these probably direct the defence. All clubs, and councils ofall sorts, had ceased to have power two days before the attack. There hasbeen perfect anarchy. The troops behaved admirably. They were muchexasperated. No assistance had been sent by the country. 

Aberdeen is confident the King's troops have been driven out, because noofficial accounts were sent. The Duke, and all the military men, say thenon-arrival of dispatches proves nothing but that the affair was not over. During an engagement a general can think of nothing but victory. Theimportance of the result is incalculable. 

At Paris the National Guard have dispersed a meeting of lookers on, whowere led by curiosity to crowd about a riding school in which the Societyof Les Amis du Peuple met the day after they were denounced by Guizot inthe Chamber as agitating France. Two officers of the National Guard enteredthe riding school, and warned the meeting of the danger they were bringingupon public tranquillity. On the representation of the second theyadjourned. 

At dinner at Lord Rosslyn's the Duke said the French Government could notgo on as it was. The chief of the National Guard necessarily commandedeverything. The National Guard might become janissaries. I think theGovernment may go on as it is _in form, _ but it will vary _in substance_from day to day. Management, a little good fortune, and a few examples ofdetermination may make it a fair Government; a single error may produceanarchy. 

The Duke gave an excellent account of the feeling at Liverpool, Manchester, and Birmingham. At Manchester it was better than at Birmingham, but therethey received very coldly Tennyson's speech about giving them members, andat last put an end to it by striking their glasses with their knives, whichmade such a ringing that Tennyson was obliged to sit down. He deserved thisfor his bad taste. 

The Duke was astonished by the machinery. Those who have witnessed theimprovements of late years expect progressive improvements so great thatthey say a man who laid out 100, 000£ now in the best machinery would, if herefused to adopt the new improvements they anticipate, be without profit infive years and be ruined in ten. 

The rapidity of motion is so great in the steam carriages that even theDuke with his quick eyes could not see the figures on the posts which markthe distance at every quarter of a mile, and when two steam carriagescrossed no face could be seen. [Footnote: This was on the Manchester andLiverpool Railway, then just opened, and describes the first impressionmade by railway travelling. ] It was like the whizzing of a cannon ball. Thecold is great, and they must have some defence against the wind, throughwhich they pass so rapidly. 

A new canal without locks, which brings coals to Birmingham in two hours, which by the old canal required nine, is more magnificent even than therailroad, splendid as that is. The railroad cost a million. For severaldays after it was opened the proprietors made 250£ a day. 

The King has the gout. The Duke goes to Brighton to-morrow. We dine withhim on Thursday. Cabinets will not begin till next week. 

_September 29. _

No news in the newspaper from Brussels. No dispatches from Sir Ch. Bagot orMr. Cartwright arrived at the office; but a gentleman who left Brussels atfive on Sunday reports that they were then fighting in the town, but thetroops had the worst of it. 

The Consul at Ostend reports that the King's troops evacuated Brussels onSunday night; that reinforcements from the country were pouring intoBrussels; that there had been an attempt at insurrection at Ostend, whichwas put down for the time by the Governor, who killed two and wounded six;that eleven or twelve men had marched in from Bruges, which was inpossession of the Bourgeois; that Ghent was expected to rise, and in a fewdays all Belgium would be separated from the King. 

A son of Holmes of the Treasury arrived at the Foreign Office at four, andsaid he had left Ostend at three yesterday, when there was a report thatthe Dutch had made another attack and had recaptured the park. 

It seems they never had more than the park. They had to take, and did take, the Rue Royale. They were more thoroughly masters of the Place Royale. Theyplanted guns against the town, which were answered by guns from the rebels. At five on Sunday the latter were gradually advancing, and picking off thetroops in the park. 

The first day some rockets were fired and eighteen houses burnt; but PrinceFrederick ordered the discontinuance of this, the only efficacious mode ofattack. 

Lord Blantyre was killed. He was lame and on a sofa, but curiosity led himto crawl to the window and peep out, when a ball struck him in theforehead. Lady Blantyre and his children were with him. He was muchesteemed. He was in the Peninsula, and a gallant officer. 

I think the employment of European officers in civil situations undernative princes may be very useful to their subjects; and while we do notourselves employ natives in high situations, to force all native princes toemploy them is to make a striking contrast between their Government andours, very injurious to ours. 

Jones seemed to hesitate and to think I committed myself. However, I feelsure of my ground. 

A letter from Lord Cleveland, expressing a wish to have the Vicarage ofIlchester, and offering an equivalent living in Shropshire, or Cheshire. 

I sent his letter to the Bishop of Bath and Wells, saying I should be muchobliged to him if he could make the arrangement, Lord Cleveland being afaithful and powerful supporter of Government. 

Told Lord Cleveland I had transmitted his letter with a strongrecommendation. 

I made my letter as agreeable to the Bishop as I could, but I dare say hewill refuse. Very likely he has given away the vicarage. I told LordCleveland I thought it probable. 

_September 30. _

The Consul at Antwerp writes a long foolish letter in much alarm. 

Mr. Cartwright's reports are come. He describes a horrible carnage. Theevents much as we know them. Sir A. Bagot says his Russian colleague has, with the consent of the King and the Dutch Ministers, written home to sayBelgium can only be preserved by foreign aid. 

At dinner at the Duke of Wellington's met Talleyrand and Vaudreuil. Theothers there were Aberdeen, Goulburn, Herries, Murray, Beresford, Lord F. Somerset, and Rosslyn. 

Talleyrand is not altered since 1815, except that he speaks thick. He hasnot even changed his hairdresser or his tailor. 

Lord Rosslyn showed me a letter from Lady Janet, who was in Brussels duringthe fight. She walked about frequently, and was treated with civility bythe armed burghers. A few grape-shot fell into the courtyard, and shepicked up one. She was at the Hotel de Brabant in the Rue Neuve. There wasno pillage, nor any riot. The loss of the people was great. She left thetown on Sunday (I think) with a passport from Count Hoogwoorst, and gotround to Antwerp. 

The troops are said to have lost only 600 men. Prince Frederick is abouttwo leagues from Brussels, on the road to Louvain, waiting for heavy guns. This is the report. I suspect he will retreat altogether. 

_October 1. _

On consideration thought it would be better to have a secret letter on thepress, authorising the Government to allow their servants to be connectedwith the press. To this letter I thought it advisable to add an exhortationto redoubled zeal on the part of the Company's servants on account of theunsettled state in which the minds of men must be until it was decidedunder what form the future Government of India should be administered, andI directed the Government to make all thoroughly understand that nopossible change could effect the public debt, or the rights of the nativesor the just expectations of the European servants. My reason for thinkingthe officers of Government should be permitted to be concerned in the pressis this, that if none but those who are unconnected with the Government, and who, according to the existing system, cannot be connected with it, manage the press, the probability is that everything will be said againstthe Government and nothing for it. 

I showed the proposed letter to the Duke. He thought it would be better topay people for writing than to employ the Company's servants, and that theconcluding paragraphs would lead the Government to suppose it was quitedecided that the Company should be put an end to. It is wonderful the sortof prejudice he has in favour of the Company. He thinks that unlessDirectors selected writers and cadets we should have an inferior sort ofpeople in India. I have no objection to the patronage being in a corporatebody, but I am satisfied the present system leads to a degree of delaywhich is more mischievous than misdirection. He acknowledges, however, thatthe service is much changed. The exhibition made by Courtenay Smith hasproduced a strong impression upon his mind. He has done more injury to theCompany in his mind than all the evidence. He still seems unwilling to makehis opinion up against the continuance of the monopoly. It must fall, however. 

The King wishes to have Sir E. Barnes appointed provisional successor toLord Dalhousie. The Duke thinks him a better man than Sir R. O'Callaghan, who was suggested by Lord F. Somerset. I suggested that it would beexpedient to unite the influence of Governor-General with that ofCommander-in-Chief, and make Lord William Bentinck provisional successor. The Duke seemed to think Lord William could not execute both duties, andthat it was better to adhere to the general usage of separating the twooffices. It seems that after Lord Hastings' return the Court intimated adisposition to separate the offices in future. I can do nothing against theKing, the Duke, and the Horse Guards; but I am satisfied it would have beenbetter to send Sir E. Barnes as second in command to the Governor-General. 

The King (Lord F. Somerset told me) was desirous of doing away with theCompany's European regiments. He could not do a better thing. He haslikewise some notion of bringing the army under himself. The Duke thinks itmust be a _local army, _ and certainly it must. [Footnote: In accordancewith this view Lord Ellenborough opposed the eventual amalgamation of theQueen's and the Indian army. ] I believe it is better to make it an army ofthree Presidencies, not one army. My doubt is whether it would not beadvisable to allow exchanges from the King's army to the Company's. Everything would be beneficial that raised the tone of the Indian army. 

The Duke showed me a draft letter he had written for Aberdeen to LordStuart, informing the French Government that the King of the Netherlandshad required the assistance of his allies to re-establish his authority inBelgium. That it was as much the interest of France as of other Powers toput down a revolution not carried on by the higher or the middle, but bythe lowest classes of the people. That we were desirous of concerting withFrance, as one of the contracting parties to the Treaty of Vienna, whatcourse should be now adopted. It could not be supposed the Allies wouldforego the advantage of the union of Belgium and Holland for which they hadsacrificed so much. 

This was the substance of the letter. It will not be sent without theconcurrence of the Cabinet, which will be summoned the moment Peel comes totown, and he is hourly expected. 

I think this letter prudent, inasmuch as whatever may happen it will placeus in the right; but I do not expect that France will do anything againstthe rebels, or sanction the doing of anything. 

The Duke considers, as indeed is clear enough, that it is idle to expectthe future submission of Belgium to the King of the Netherlands. It may bepossible to place it under a Prince of the House of Nassau. I do not thinkthe Duke sees his way; but he expects war. 

_October 2. _

Cabinet. Aberdeen's letter to Lord Stuart. It is founded upon the Duke'smemorandum, but much extended _à l'Indienne_. I think none approved of itbut Lord Bathurst. I objected to the statement that the treaty of 1815imposed upon us _obligations_. It may give us _rights_, but it imposes noobligation. Then the principle of non-interference is advanced as just andwise, but there are peculiar circumstances attending the position of theNetherlands which make a difference. 

There is an assertion that the troubles in Belgium have been fomented byFrench agency, although not assisted by the Government, and a directreference is made to the Barrier Treaties. France is requested to concertwith us and the Allies to _suppress_ the anarchy which exists in the LowCountries. She is at the same time reminded that in no case can the Alliesconsent to renounce the security given to them by the Treaty of Paris inconsequence of an insurrection amongst the lower orders at Brussels. Ofthis a great deal will be left out. Peel seemed to be rather averse to thewhole tenor of the letter, which looks like an invitation to put down theinsurrection by force. He sketched in a few words a letter which would beinnocuous. 

The Duke's object is to make an effort to induce France to act with us tosettle the Belgian affairs amicably. They cannot be settled _without_France, without a war. But is there any hope that the French Governmentwill venture to give us her _appui_? If they be self-denying enough torenounce the hopes of annexing Belgium to France, their fears of theJacobins will not allow them to do so. My expectation is that they will saythey neither have interfered nor will interfere to dissolve the unionbetween Holland and Belgium. That they will not interfere in the internalconcerns of other States. 

Some think they will go farther and declare they will not allow other_Powers_ to do so. I do not expect this. 

Every word of this letter must be well weighed, for every discontented manin England and in France will criticise its words and its spirit. There isno writer more unsafe than Aberdeen. 

Rosslyn did not seem to like the letter at all, but he said little. Iwhispered to Peel that I wished he would bring a letter to-morrow. _Short_. It was at last agreed alterations should be made, and we are to meet at oneto-morrow. 

Peel takes the letter home, and will, I trust, cut it down. 

The King Charles X. Is in danger of being arrested, of which he naturallyhas a great horror, and he desires to be allowed to go to Holyrood House, where he would be safe. At Lulworth they are afraid of the Due de Bordeauxbeing kidnapped. The pretence is the getting masters from Edinburgh for thechildren. 

It may be feared that the placing him in a royal residence may look or berepresented as looking like recognition. On the other hand his removal fromthe southern coast to Scotland is a renunciation of intrigues with France. 

It would be inconvenient if the King should wish to go to Edinburgh nextyear. Charles X. Is to be told he cannot stay there after the spring. However, he will probably live there all his life. 

It would be a revolting sight to see a King imprisoned for debt, and allgentlemen, all men of feeling, would have cried out _shame_!

We are right in feeling, but in policy I am not sure. 

Nieuport has fallen as well as Ostend. The Bruxellois are drilling, andthreaten to attack Prince Frederick. Probably Van Holen drills them to keepthem quiet. 

Many people have applied to Falck [Footnote: Dutch Minister. ] for passportsfor Brussels, going in reality to join the rebels. Today two Irishlabourers asked for passports! Brussels will become the sink of Europe, andevery unquiet spirit will go there. 

The Duke thinks our attempt to make France act in concert with us the onlychance of preserving peace. 

I fear its preservation is almost desperate. One thing is in favour of it, that all the European States desire it yet more than we do. 

I cautioned them to-day not to take any advanced position from which itwould be difficult and discreditable to retreat. The people would not go inwith us in a war to avert a distant danger, nor indeed for any object notcommercially interesting. 

It came out accidentally in the course of conversation respecting the loanto the Netherlands that we had lent 20, 000£ to the Greeks; the sum to berepaid by bills to be drawn by our Commissioner whenever the loan we are toguarantee may be made--that is, we are to be paid out of our own money. 

Of this loan I knew nothing, and my impression is that when it wasearnestly pressed by Aberdeen such objections were stated on the ground ofillegality that the decision was against it. Certainly nothing was decidedin favour of it. I recollect having said I would rather advance a portionof the money myself than be a party to the transaction. 

_October 3. _

Cabinet. The Consul at Ostend announces that nothing remains to the King ofthe Netherlands but Antwerp. The troops have everywhere laid down theirarms. On the 1st the Brussels papers announce that orders had been issuedby the provisional Government for arresting all the Dutch officers. 

Peel read first the dispatch written by Aberdeen with the omissions agreedupon, and then his own substitutions. His is much the best. It speaks of'composing troubles' instead of 'suppressing anarchy, ' avoids all mentionof interference, and altogether is a more prudent paper, touching theBarrier very slightly. It was understood that Peel's was adopted. 

It is determined to allow the King, Charles X. , to go to Holyrood House, but he will be told there is no furniture, or very little, and that he canonly stay six months, and that no expense can be incurred on his account. He has admitted no one to an audience, but many have been to Lulworth toask for places. 

Talleyrand says they have found an _ébauche_ of Polignac's, tellingBourmont that his proposal that the money taken at Algiers should be givento the Legion of Honour could not be complied with, as the King intended todistribute it amongst his most faithful friends. They pretend they do notintend to make use of this because there is no proof of its having beensent; in fact they do not use it because it reflects credit on Bourmont. 

Lord Rosslyn, with whom I walked as far as Pimlico Palace, showed me theTreasury list of the House of Commons. 311 decided friends and 189 enemies-that is 500; the remainder, consisting of moderate Tories, violent Tories, good and bad doubtfuls, as well as Huskissonians (the latter 13), are morelikely to be against us than for us. 

Rosslyn still hankers after a coalition, but reform has made it impossible. We might have had this time last year Sir J. Graham. We might even now havePalmerston, [Footnote: It appears from Lord Palmerston's published papersthat this was an error. He had already determined to act with the Whigs, and not to take office without Lord Grey and Lord Lansdowne. See Ashley's_Life of Lord Palmerston_, vol. I. P. 211. ] but the Duke seems determinedto go on as he is, Peel and all, even Bathurst, seem to have a correct viewof the danger; but I see no flinching. 

_October 4. _

Saw the Duke. Suggested that we must soon consider what should be done withrespect to the China trade. If we were to give up the monopoly we hadbetter do so at once, on the first day of the Session, with a good grace, and not make ourselves appear to do it with reluctance. The Duke said wemust certainly consider it. Had I talked with the Chairs about it? I saidno. I had thought it best to wait till the Cabinet had come to a decisionas to what should be done. I had privately advised them to turn over intheir minds the plan of the Company going on with the Government slightlyvaried, but without monopoly. 

The Duke said he could not make up his mind without hearing first what theChairs had to say. I observed that if they, that is Astell, thought theGovernment hesitated, they would certainly say they could not go on withoutmonopoly. However, the Duke seemed to think it was impossible for thequestion to come before the Cabinet before we had talked with the Chairs. So I have asked him and Loch to meet at the Treasury at twelve on Monday. 

I should like to see Tucker and Stuart, but I must do it privately, as Ihave no principle to go upon in consulting with individual Directors. 

The Duke seems very reluctant to give up the monopoly, and to have veryexaggerated ideas of the value of the Company's intervention. 

He showed me a letter he had received from Molé, in which he takes a verymoderate view of the Belgian question. Expresses the most earnest desirefor peace, as war would place everywhere the two extreme principles inconflict. France will not interfere, neither can she suffer others tointerfere, in the internal affairs of the Netherlands. He hopes to be ableto arrange everything amicably. 

A letter the Duke showed me from Rothschild's brother is still moresatisfactory if the view taken in it be correct. He says France will, _withEngland and the Allies_, amicably settle the question; but she will nothave to be excluded. 

He mentions Leopold as a probable King of Belgium. 

The Court of Turin [Footnote: The first French Republic had made a similarnon-recognition a plea for seizing Savoy. ] seems to be in a great frightbecause the French Government took huff at their not recognizing at once. They were afraid to do so till they heard what the great Powers did. 

M. De la Tour says they can bring 60, 000 or 90, 000 men into the field, ifGenoa is guarded for them by a fleet; but Genoa would require 14, 000 men. On that place they must retreat. 

The Spaniards seem to be going on well. They mean not to be _empressés_with their recognition, but are advised not to be the last. 

There have been insurrections at Hanau, Swerin, and I know not where else. The Diet intend to vary the law of the Empire and to allow any neighbour, whose assistance may be asked, to give it at once. 

The Emperor of Russia received General Athalia very graciously, but hekeeps him waiting for his answer. Lieven professes himself well satisfiedwith our reasons for immediate recognition. So does Metternich. In factthey cannot do without us, and if we lead they must follow. 

_October 5. _

Cabinet. Goulburn's Civil List. He transfers to the Consolidated Fund allthe salaries heretofore partly paid by the Civil List, and in diplomacythere is a reduction of 28, 000£ a year. 

It is supposed there can be no reduction in the great departments in thearticle of tradesmen's bills, or in the Board of Works. 

The King gives up the Droits [Footnote: 'Droits of Admiralty. '] without anycompensation. This is all a loss to the privy purse. 

It seems possible to reduce perspectively many officers in England and inIreland who do not really contribute to the state of the crown. This, however, did not occur to Goulburn but to Peel. 

The account of Liege is very bad indeed. Things there seem going on in thestyle of the French Revolution. 

Nothing can be better than the account from France. They will be pleased bythe letter read to them. All they feared was the attempt to exclude themfrom all concert in the settlement of Belgium. They think neither the Kingnor Prince Frederick can return to Brussels; but the Prince of Orange may, and this will, I think, be finally settled. 

_October 6. _

Council at 2. Talleyrand was presented. He backed to the window and read aspeech in which there were several erasures. He declared the determinationof France to pursue the course so wisely followed by England of non-interference. He spoke of himself as 'Ministre d'une Royaute votée àl'unanimité. '

The King did not much like receiving him, and was a little nervous. To whatTalleyrand said about noninterference the King answered it was a very goodthing, especially when exercised _de bonne foi_. This he said by Aberdeen'sadvice. 

I read the King of the Netherlands' letter. He asks distinctly for_military assistance_. 

Cabinet dinner at the Duke's. The Prince of Orange is gone to Antwerp. Thisthe Duke thinks the very worst step that could have been taken; the onlymistake the King has made. In fact the King was unwilling, and ever sincethe affair of Brussels there has been a coolness between the King and thePrince. The Duke fears the consequences of the Prince's going, because heis a man devoted to popularity-vain. The Duke and Talleyrand were talkingabout popularity. The Duke said those who loved it never loved it withmoderation. Talleyrand said, 'Il n'y a jamais de modération, où il n'y apas de _goût_--et il n'y a pas de gout dans l'amour de la popularité!' TheDuke asked Talleyrand what sort of a man the Duke of Orleans was. 'UnPrince de l'Ecole normale. ' Of the Queen he said, 'Elle est bonne femme, etsurtout grande dame--c'est ce qu'il nous faut. '

Talleyrand said he had given the King a piece of advice, '_to go toNeuilly_'--that is, to rescue himself from the vagabond cortége. 

Talleyrand is very well pleased with the letter sent to Paris, and theforeign Ministers are satisfied. 

The King (our King) seemed to me to be very weary to-day. Aberdeen said hewas a good deal distressed at the state of Europe, and rather anxious. 

Lord and Lady Holland and Rothschild appear to be the only people besidesthe Ministers who have called on Talleyrand. Lord Holland is very much withhim. Lord Holland is doing all he can to save the lives of the FrenchMinisters--for the interest of the French Government, not of the Ministersthemselves. He has written to La Fayette and to the King. 

_October 7. _

I forgot on what authority it was mentioned yesterday, but it was mentionedas a fact that the Liberaux would not have done anything unless they hadbeen certain of the Duke of Orleans. So afraid were they of a revolutionthat they would have submitted to the Ordonnances rather than run the riskof it. 

_October 9. _

At Canterbury heard more particulars of the machine-breaking now going onin the neighbourhood. Notice is given, and the frames are broken. Onegentleman boasted at market they should not break his, as he had armed mento protect them. They on the same night set fire to his rickyard. Sir HenryOxenden's sons went out to meet them, when they came according to notice tobreak Sir Henry's machines. One man spoke for the rest. He acknowledged SirHenry seldom or ever used his machine, and that he was the landlord in Kentwho gave most to the poor; but they must do as they were ordered; theywould, however, do as little as they could, and they only sawed off ashaft. 

The farmers now leave their thrashing machines out in the fields to bebroken. 

The rickyard of one gentleman was set on fire because he committed a manfor machine-breaking. He lost 6, 000£, nothing being insured. 

It seems suspicions are entertained that the machine-breakers are not allof the station they assume. They all wear smock frocks, but their languageis better than their dress. When money was offered them, if they wanted it, by the Oxendens, they said they did not want money, they obeyed orders. 

It is reported, but this must be an exaggeration, that 500 assembled latelyon a Down near Mr. Brockman's. 

The magistrates have no good evidence against any. Some Bow Street officersare here. Lord Winchelsea and Sir Edward Knatchbull have been here at everymeeting of the magistrates, although they live eighteen miles off. 

The Provisional Government of Belgium have declared the independence of thecountry and the defeazance of the House of Orange. In the meantime thePrince of Orange is arrived at Antwerp, as Viceroy, with a Belgian EtatMajor Civil. 

It seems probable the Chamber of Deputies will abolish the punishment ofdeath for political offences, and so save Polignac. 

The levy of 108, 000 men will hardly make the French army 240, 000 effective, for it was not full before the Revolution, and numbers have deserted;besides the disbandment of the Guards, which was 25, 000 men. 

_October 11. _

Cabinet. Aberdeen read Lord Stuart's account of his interview with Molé. Molé suggests an immediate conference, and thinks the Prince of Orange maybe made Sovereign of La Belgique. No communication will be held by theFrench Government with the Provisional Government of Belgium. They willcommunicate through the King. 

It is proposed to have the Conference here. The Ministers of Austria, Prussia, and Russia have expressed their readiness to acquiesce in anythingproposed by this country. They may inveigh against the diplomacy ofEngland, but in moments of danger all rally under our wing. 

Molé distinctly admitted that the existence of the present Government ofFrance depended on its remaining on good terms with England and Prussia, and the affairs of Belgium gave them an opportunity of showing _la droiturede leurs principes_, &c. --in short, of gaining a good character. 

It was decided against guaranteeing the sum of 500, 000£ the Dutch wish toraise here. There would be no end to such loans if we once began to assistthe credit of foreign States. Parliament would not approve of the measure. To the Dutch Government it is important that this Administration shouldremain, and likewise that their own credit should not be injured in allEurope by the confession of weakness which their recourse to us implies. 

To guarantee a loan is to give money, and to do that is to assist one ofthe parties to lose the mediatory character, and, in fact, put ourselvesout of the Congress. 

Hardinge can reduce 57, 000£ a year in net and on the Civil List, 30, 000£ onthe Pension List, and 27, 000£ on officers of State. 

We had some talk about details, but Goulburn does not reduce as much asHardinge. 

Had some talk with the Duke and Peel respecting the fires in Kent, and thebreaking of frames. Five are in prison. The Duke thinks smugglers are atthe bottom of it. 

There has been alarm at Carlisle. The officers in command of the castleapprehended an attempt to surprise it and seize the arms. Men had been seenmeasuring the wall. Sir J. Graham was alarmed about it. Orders will begiven to provision for thirty days all the places where arms are kept, thetown included, where there are 600, 000 stand of arms. In the meantime allclasses are more comfortable in this country than they ever were, and thisalone keeps down insurrection. There are leaders but no troops. 

Hardinge reports that the spirit in Ireland is _disimproved_ since theevents in Belgium. 

There is to be an Anti-Union Society, which, as soon as it meets, will beput down under the Act. 

_October 12. _

At nine went to Apsley House. Met the Chairs. We went in to the Duke. Ourconversation lasted two hours. As they are to send in a _procès verbal_, itis unnecessary for me to state it. The substance was that, supposing themonopoly to be taken away, they would administer the Government of India asheretofore on one of two conditions; either closing their account with thepublic and receiving payment in full, or an equivalent annuity for alltheir property in India, in which case they would require no guarantee ofthe present dividend; or making over all their property, and taking aperpetual guarantee of the dividend. 

The public to make good in either case all deficiency of Indian revenue, and in either case the Company to be the agents for the territory, providing all necessary sums here and receiving repayment at a rate ofexchange to be paid from time to time fairly. 

The Chairs were given to understand that the public being liable to themaking good of Indian deficiency, we should require a strict control overthe whole expenditure _here_, as well as in India. 

They show, especially Campbell, a disposition to leave off trading andbecome gentlemen. They were told by the Duke that if they did so we must beat liberty to revise our arrangement with them. We might as well go to theBank as to them, if we were to treat with a body not commercial. 

The Duke seems much pleased with his foreign prospects. 

M. De Choiseul was waiting to see him. I suppose on the affair of HolyroodHouse. 

It seems probable that the French will abolish the punishment of death, andso save Polignac. 

_October 14. _

Found at the office several papers giving accounts of Radical meetings inLancashire. All the old Radicals are reappearing on the scene. They do notas yet seem to be attended by any numerous assemblies, never above 200 or300. 

A letter from a clergyman at Wrotham speaks of burnings near that place, and of the bad conduct of the people who interfere with the working of theengines, and seem to rejoice in the destruction. 

Read all the papers relating to the education of the Princess Victoria, whoseems to have been admirably brought up. 

At the Cabinet room read a long and excellent letter of Hardinge'srespecting the state of Ireland. 

The 87th Regiment at Newry, when paraded for church, refused to marchwithout music, to which it had been accustomed in the south. It had beendiscontinued in the north to avoid displeasing the Orangemen. 

The captain sent for the Lieutenant-Colonel Blair, who was at firstdisobeyed, but he placed a drum to have a drum-head court martial, and thenthey marched. The Duke says it is, and always has been, the worst regimentin the service. It ran away at Salamanca and exposed him to being takenprisoner. It has always been unmilitary, and from the same cause, adisposition to seek popularity on the part of its officers. Hardingeproposes embarking it at once for the West Indies. The Duke prefersbringing it to Dublin, where there are other regiments to keep it in order, and soon sending it to England, and by detachments at no distant period toBotany Bay. They do not expect there will be any further exhibition ofmutinous spirit. The only mischief of this is the effect at this time. 

There have been apprehensions of an attempt to scale the Pigeon House, anda full garrison has been ordered into it, with directions to add to itsdefences on the seaside so as to protect it from escalade. 

Hardinge can bring twenty guns together in a very short time, at any pointin Dublin. He talks of arming the students in Trinity College in the eventof an explosion. 

They rather expect an explosion about the 18th or 19th, when probably therewill be the first meeting of the new Association. 

This it will be the first object to put down by the Act of 1829. Themeeting to petition for the repeal of the Union will be permitted. 

Hardinge is quite himself on horseback. The only fear is that he should betoo lively. Peel seems to think he is; but it is a great comfort to havehim there instead of Lord Francis Leveson, who was always wrong. 

The King of the Netherlands has called his States at the Hague, theConstitution requiring them to meet this year in Belgium. He takesadvantage of the provision in the Constitution which permits him to callthe States in Holland in case of war. They fear the loss of Antwerp. ThePrince of Orange thinks things look better. 

The Netherland Ambassador is much annoyed at the refusal of pecuniaryassistance; but, as was expected, the Dutch have got their money, onlypaying a little more for it. 

Our depots are only 160 strong. We have hardly a battalion. One or two atleast of those which were going abroad will be retained for a time. 

The Duke of Brunswick does not much like abdicating. The Duke of Wellingtonthought he had brought him to make his brother Governor-General for hislife, retaining the succession for his children. However, Aberdeen seems tohave blundered him back again. He is to go to see the King on Saturday. TheKing desired he might come early, that he might not be obliged to have himto dinner, and he desired Aberdeen would remain in the room. 

Pozzo thinks the French Government is gaining strength; but they are veryinefficient in preventing armed men from assembling on the frontiers ofSpain. 

The French have exercised such coldness towards the Belgians that they arebecome unpopular. De Potter was French while he had hopes of becoming so. Now he is a Republican. 

The Austrians will send troops into the Sardinian dominions if there is anyinsurrection. [Footnote: They had similarly interfered to put down theConstitutional movement in Piedmont which followed on the Neapolitanrevolution of 1821. ] This by invitation. 

The Queen of Spain has, it is said, a son. [Footnote: It was a daughter, afterwards Queen Isabella II. , born October 10, 1830. The alteration of thesuccession in favour of the female line led to a civil war on FerdinandVII. 's death. A son might have secured peace, but probably without aConstitution. ] This event would, it is thought, secure Spain against anyrevolutionary movement. 

_October 15. _

Called on the Duke. Settled with him the alterations necessary in theChairs' memorandum of the conversation on the 12th. He thought we had gonetoo far in leading them to expect they should be repaid the money they hadsunk in the territory while they held the Government. 

Received from him the opium letter. He thinks the principle good, butconsiders it is not fair to make the Scindians prevent the transit ofopium. We cannot prevent them, for they are independent; but unless weendeavour to persuade them, and succeed in doing so, we shall lose ouropium revenue. 

_October 16. _

Chairs at 11. Head over with them my alterations of their protocol. Astelldid not seem to see the greatness of the variations. Campbell did, andparticularly observed upon the words, 'value of the fixed property in Indiawhich might be adjudged to appertain to the Company in their commercialcapacity. ' He wanted an admission of the justice of the claims, leavingnothing for adjustment but their amount. I said we could not admit claimswithout examination, the nature of which we did not yet know. All we couldadmit was that the claims were such as should be submitted to examination, and their validity decided upon just principles. 

Astell wished to go back again and recommence the discussion. I said heknew I could decide nothing without the Cabinet, and he nothing without theCourt; all he had to do now was to bring the subject before them. 

He asked whether they were distinctly to understand that the Cabinet haddecided upon the termination of the monopoly? I said that the question nothaving yet been before the Cabinet I could not give an answer officially;but when the First Lord of the Treasury and the President of the Board ofControl desired to know what the course of the Court would be in the eventof its being proposed that the Court should administer the Governmentwithout monopoly, I thought it was not difficult to draw an inference. 

_October 19. _

Sent to the Duke a memorandum on his letter. Read at the Cabinet room. TheKing of the Netherlands is much annoyed at the desertion, as he thinks it, of his allies. He now proposes a Congress of the Four Powers and _France_at Breda or Cleves. He admits France very unwillingly, and by no meansacquiesces in the reasoning in favour of the advance we made. 

Sir Ch. Bagot seems to think the Prince of Orange will be losing theaffection of the Dutch without gaining the Belgians. 

The German Confederation is arming in the neighbourhood of Hanau for thepreservation of the peace. They have put 6, 000 or 7, 000 men in motion, andhave a reserve of 15, 000 or 18, 000. 

The excitement against Polignac and Peyronnet increases, and the Ministersrun the hazard of their places by attempting to save them. I fear that ishopeless. The Spanish Radicals seem to find it would be dangerous to passthe frontier. 

_October 20. _

Office. Cabinet room. The Prince of Orange has written a most offensiveletter to the King of the French, almost insinuating that the troubles inBelgium are fomented by France, and saying that by a declaration againstthe Belgians France would show her good faith, and secure the recognitionof Russia. The French Cabinet is much offended at the silence of the Kingof the Netherlands, and Count Molé is going to write to the Dutch Ministerupon the subject. 

Nesselrode seems to see great difficulties in the intervention of France inthe settlement of Belgium--the union of Belgium and Holland having beenmade _against_ France. The Russian Minister at the Hague has generaldirections to follow the course of England upon all points not provided forby his instructions. 

There is a great fall in the Funds to-day; partly, it is said, inconsequence of those who desired to keep up the Funds being no longer ableto do so; partly from the general aspect of affairs. My surprise is thatthe Funds have not fallen before, and much more. 

Cabinet dinner at the Duke's. Showed the protocol of our Conference withthe Chairs. The heads of the speech were read. Aberdeen's will not do atall. To my surprise he intended to announce the recognition of Miguel, hehaving engaged to do a great act of justice; that is, to publish theamnesty. He will not do it till a British Minister arrives at Lisbon; thatis, he makes us, whom he has once deceived, dependent upon his word. Thiswould be a very incautious step on our part. We meet on Friday to considerthe speech in detail. 

We had a good deal of conversation about the Duchess of Kent's allowance, which is to be much increased. It is proposed to give her 20, 000£ a year. She has now 12, 000£ for herself and the Princess, out of which she paysinterest and insurance upon 12, 000£ she borrowed on the Duke of Kent'sdeath for her outfit. 

The King has about thirty people at dinner every day, belonging to theHousehold. His expense must be enormous in living. 

_October 21. _

Read in the newspaper the King of the Netherlands' speech. It is querulousand angry. I really thought the Proclamation _extraordinary_ of the Princeof Orange a forgery; but it is genuine, and he throws off all connectionwith Holland, declaring the independence of Belgium, and placing himselfpractically at the head of the Rebellion!

On Monday night at a dance at the Lodge, Hardinge saw accidentally in anevening newspaper, shown to him for another purpose, the advertisement ofthe Anti-Union Association, and by seven o'clock the next morning the LordLieutenant's Proclamation prohibiting it was placarded in the streets. Thisis decision. There was no riot. Persons in general were satisfied the actwas right. O'Connell is alarmed. The Duke of Leinster is ready to sign adeclaration in favour of the Union. All is safe in Ireland with Hardinge'spromptitude. I wish he could remain and not come over to Parliament. 

_October 22. _

Saw Campbell, who was very nervous and anxious, and I at night wrote aletter to Lord Hill in favour of his son--more, I admit, from a father'sfeelings than from a conviction of being right. 

It seems the Lord Lieutenant not having been near Dublin when theProclamation was issued by Hardinge, he must have had a blank Proclamationin his pocket, and have issued it without the opinion of the law officers. He has good debatable Parliamentary grounds of defence; but he has troddenupon the margin of the law. Not the worse for that in these times, when itis most important that every one should see the Government are vigilant anddetermined. 

Valdez, who entered Spain with a few hundred men, has been smashed at once. 

At the Cabinet we had a long discussion respecting the Regency question. Aberdeen started the objection that the proposed measure was destructive ofthe principle that the King could not die. On the other hand it wascontended that we maintained that principle. We made a Regent for _a King_. We acknowledged _a King_; but we deferred taking the oath of allegiancetill we knew who he was. The difficulties attending the _unkinging_ of aSovereign on the birth of a Prince nearer to the present King seem greaterthan any attending the measure proposed. It was ultimately determined thatthe Chancellor should consult the judges and the law officers. 

_October 23. _

Cabinet. Twenty-six magistrates at Canterbury sentenced to three days'imprisonment threshing machine breakers, who pleaded guilty! Such has beenthe terror struck into them! Sir E. Knatchbull was in the chair. 

We went through the speech--not deciding absolutely upon the words; butgenerally upon the substance. 

Then arose a conversation as to the Regency which, in this last hour, isthought a point of importance. The Chancellor seems alarmed and unwillingto move the suspension of the rights of the presumptive heir until the non-existence of an heir apparent be ascertained, without the opinion of thejudges. It is admitted there is no written opinion to guide us. The analogyof property is in favour of the heir presumptive; that of peerage in favourof the heir apparent _in utero_. 

_October 24. _

Cabinet at 4. Read two letters from Hardinge. By his account all the men ofproperty will support the Government and the Union. 

The press is coming round--_bought_. A Mr. Conway, an able writer, isfurious against O'Connell, and, upon the whole, the Press is on our side. Hardinge dilates with delight upon his military preparations and plans ofdefence, and seemingly will be disappointed if he cannot put them intoexecution. 

The Belgian Ministers resigned after the Prince of Orange's Proclamation. He is left without advisers. He has endeavoured to get Sir Charles Bagot tojoin him, and Grasioff. He sends for Cartwright. He seems much embarrassed. In fact he is in heart a Belgian, and would sacrifice everything to be Kingof Belgium. He never knew the Dutch, and not unnaturally likes the Belgiansbetter. They are indignant at his conduct in Holland, and with reason. Heseems to intend to rule the Dutch by means of the Belgians. This he cannotdo. 

The Duke of Wellington always thought him a silly fellow. 

The Provisional Government is going to send some mission here. 

We had a long talk about the Regency. Really it does us little credit tobegin now, within ten days of the meeting of Parliament, to consider thatquestion seriously. 

The Chief Justices will be asked whether, supposing the Queen to bepregnant at the death of the King, the next living heir would succeed? Howin the event of the birth of a child the _de facto_ Sovereign is to be putaside? And what should be done if the Queen only may be with child? Thedifficulty consists in the oath of allegiance, which must be altered andmade conditional. But what a curious position the Queen Victoria would beplaced in, if a baby were to oust her after eight months of reign!

I think the course adopted will be this--to make an oath of allegianceconditional, saving the rights of a child to be born; to appoint the Regentwho would be named for the Princess Victoria, with the provision that onthe birth of a child the child's mother shall be Regent. 

_October 25. _

Cabinet at 4. Peel read letters he had received from Mr. Foster, themagistrate of Manchester, Mr. Hulton, of Hulton, and a manufacturer whosename I forget. They all give an alarming account of the state ofManchester. The colliers have turned out in some districts, and where theyhave turned out the mills are necessarily stopped. This has thrown numbersout of employment. These colliers can earn 10_s_. A day; that is, as muchas many clergymen. The spinners can earn 5_s_. A day. Yet they turn out. 

This seems to be a manoeuvre like that of Lafitte when he refused todiscount bills. To stop the supply of coal is to throw all mills out ofwork, and every one out of employment. The question is, Shall the mastersresist? If they do, there will be an early collision. If they do not, theymay defer it, but not long. Concession was counselled six weeks ago, on theground that, after the events in Belgium and in France, collision wasdangerous; and this even by bold men. It seems there are 3, 000 infantry, 3guns, and about 600 or 800 cavalry near Manchester. Perhaps some howitzersmay be sent, but more force there is not. Peel at the Cabinet wrote aletter to Mr. Taylor, saying that under ordinary circumstances he shouldhave counselled resistance or rather non-concession; but now it was adoubtful question whether a collision at Manchester would not lead tocollision in many other places, and was our force sufficient? He wasdesired to see Mr. Hulton, Sir E. Bouverie, and others, and to considerwhat could be done, particularly whether Volunteer Corps could be formed. The delegates who went to Mr. Chappell seem to be amenable to the law andget-at-able. This will be done. 

The law officers came in and were asked as to the power of the Crown topermit the formation of Volunteer Corps. They were desired to consider thepoint. By the Act of 1794 there seems to be no doubt about it. 

Hardinge is arrived. He has been calling out O'Connell. I am sorry for it, for O'Connell had declared he would not fight. O'Connell had called him theDuke's aide-de-camp. So far it does good, that it lowers O'Connell stillmore, and destroys the value of anything he might say against Hardinge. 

_October 26. _

Called on Hardinge. He says the accounts from Manchester to-day are worse. In the House Lord Hill showed me a letter (from Sir E. Bouverie, I think), giving a very alarming account--30, 000 out of work, and apprehension ofearly collision. 

Parliament opened. Took the oaths. Office. Lord Dalhousie was so ill onJune 4 that I have no idea of his being now Commander-in-Chief in India. 

Received a summons to a Cabinet at four _precisely_, and went to theForeign Office; but nobody came. I think it must have been summoned to meetat Peel's house. The times are so critical that I should be sorry to lose aCabinet. I could not find out that any summonses had been sent from theForeign Office. There was a crowd of people in Downing Street, who had, Idare say, followed the Duke from the House of Lords. There were a good manyabout the House. All quite quiet. 

_October 27. _

_Levée_ at two. Addresses from the Church of Scotland, and the Lord Mayorand Corporation of Dublin. Dr. Chalmers was with the Church of Scotland. The Recorder of Dublin, Mr. Shaw, who is member for Dublin, made a speechbefore he read the address--a thing quite unprecedented, and which might bevery inconvenient. The speech itself was innocent. The _levée_ by no meansfull. 

Peel had an audience of the King, and in half an hour the King slept twentyminutes. He says he never knew any man so much altered in three months. Hissomnolency increases. He slept during an interview with Aberdeen yesterday. When the Duke saw him he was alive enough. 

Cabinet. Prince at the Chancellor's. Some conversation respecting theburnings in Kent. Peel thinks they were effected by a chemical process, bysome substance deposited hours before, and igniting when the perpetratorsare far off. The persons who met Lord Winchilsea expressed detestation ofthe burnings, and went away to break threshing machines, but a man whocommitted persons for breaking threshing machines had his ricks burnt;another suffered the same thing who defended his threshing machines. Ibelieve the two offences to be committed by the same persons. Themagistrates are supine and terror-struck; but they have no police, nomilitary. Sir E. Knatchbull doubts whether they would arm as yeomen. Peeldoes not seem to me to view with sufficient alarm the effect these burningswill produce upon men's minds, and the example of impunity. Nothing wassaid about Manchester. All seemed to think less seriously of our dangersthan they did some days back. 

The law officers mean to give in their report on the case put to them to-morrow. They will say it is not provided for. The Chancellor has the judgesat dinner on Friday, and he will then obtain theirs. 

_October 28. _

Captain Harvey of the 4th Dragoons called by the King's desire to say theKing of Persia told him when he was at Teheran that he was hurt at notreceiving a letter from the King. I told Captain Harvey the King hadannounced his accession to the Shah of Persia as he had to othersovereigns. Captain Harvey was interpreter to his regiment. It seemed to methat he rather wished to command the Persian troops. He is brother to thetutor to Prince George of Cambridge. He is a very gentlemanlike man. 

The French insist on having the conferences respecting the settlement ofBelgium at Paris, if there are to be any regular conferences. They cannotpermit Talleyrand to act for them. The French would be jealous of him, &c. We had wished to have the conferences here for the very reason that wethought Talleyrand would do his utmost to have the credit of preservingpeace. I see there will be no Congress. The French think that, if theystand still, the fruit will fall into their mouths. The folly of the Princeof Orange will ruin his party in Belgium. The ambition of the Belgians willinduce them to attempt to form a separate State, which after much disorderwill be found impracticable; and as they will not become Dutch, they _will_become French. Then we shall have a war, and present forbearance onlypostpones it. All the Volunteers who are acting in Belgium are French. Allthe forces in the field are commanded by Frenchmen. French money isemployed. The French are really now carrying on the war covertly. 

Russia is paralysed by the devastating progress of the cholera morbus whichhas reached Moscow. The Emperor is gone to Moscow to establish order andobedience, for the civil and military authorities are quarrelling, and thetroops are unwilling to form the cordon. All cordons I believe to befruitless. It would be as wise to form a cordon against the wind. Thedisease advances, however, along the high roads and navigable rivers. It isthe most extraordinary plague we have had. 

Prussia cannot act for fear of disorders at home, and Austria is literallythe only power to which war is possible. The French dare not go to war forfear of a Republic. 

It seems the French Ministry will be partially changed, the Due de Broglieand Guizot going out. The Due de Broglie seems to be a pedantic coxcomb. 

I pity the King of the Netherlands, who is a good man. To be hated by two-thirds of his subjects, betrayed by his foolish son, and abandoned as hethinks by his allies, must be great trials to him; while, although theDutch adore him and really love him, they will not give him money, and Ihave a little doubt whether they will fight much. Probably, however, thefear of pillage will make them do that for themselves. 

Read a very well-written pamphlet in reply to Brougham's two. I suspect thewriter is Philpotts. It is too powerful for an ordinary man, and far beyondCroker. Neither is it in his style. Brougham has made Ridgway put forth aletter stating that he never communicated upon the subject of the pamphletwith Brougham--which is no denial that it is Brougham's. 

It is a good and useful pamphlet, and will teach the Whigs good manners byshowing them they cannot commit aggression with impunity. There is no partmuch better done than that in which the falsehood and absurdity are shownof what was said in the Brougham pamphlets respecting me. To be sure mychampion had a good case. What was said about me rather leads me to thinkLord Durham or T. Moore had a hand in it. 

_October 29. _

The letters from Manchester recommend resistance on the part of themasters--that is, non-concession. This will put the colliers to thenecessity of adopting _force_, and in the defence of property we shouldcommence the contest, which can only be deferred, with great advantage. Mr. Foster thinks the views of the Union have been shaken by the increase offorce near Manchester; and that, although there might be much disturbance, the event would not be doubtful. One committee of the Union has proposedacquiescence in the masters' terms. 

The accounts from Kent are bad. Peel has offered to send down a magistrateand police officers, and to go to any expense. 

He was to receive Mr. Hammond, Plumptree, Lord Camden, and others to-day. Poor Lord Camden, in the meantime, has the lumbago. 

_October 30. _

Cabinet. A very bad account of Manchester. No means of raising Volunteercorps. Little hope of uniting the masters. The operatives triumphant. Nodisposition, however, on their part to come to blows, and a confidence onthe part of the magistrates that a fight would be in their favour; but thenthey must have _troops_, keep all they have, and get more if possible. 

Mr. Taylor recommends that constables should have the power of arresting_picketers_ without warrant. 

Went through the speech. It will do very well now. 

Spoke to the Duke about Indian finance, and told him the result. He wishedto see all the papers, which were not yet quite ready. In the meantimenothing is to be done, and we are to appoint the Committee. 

The Attorney and Solicitor-General deprecate the prosecution of a libeltransmitted for their opinion, and say they think it unadvisable toprosecute without the sanction of Parliament! What this means I do notknow, unless it means that they are cowed. 

There is an infamous article in the _Times_ to-day, against the conduct ofthe farmers and country gentlemen, and there are worse in the _MorningChronicle_. 

Had some conversation after dinner at St. James's with Frankland Lewis. Helongs for the Grants. I told him it would not do, and what sort of a manCharles Grant was. Frankland Lewis does not seem to like his office, but hesays he shall bring it into order if he remains there, and make it a PrivyCouncillor's office without drudgery. He and, indeed, all seem to wish theywere better and more boldly led in the House of Commons. All we want isthat. 

_October 31. _

Cabinet. On Monday the 25th the Prince of Orange left Antwerp. He embarked, and intended to go to see his father, and then to come to England! On the26th General Mellinot marched in and went on to Breda, with 5, 000 men. Onthe 27th (there having been a parley on the 26th), the populace attemptedto seize the arsenal. The citadel fired. The, town was on fire when Mr. Cartwright came away, and is nearly destroyed. 

At Maidstone two or three ringleaders were seized very gallantly by themagistrates, and carried off to the gaol by the cavalry at a canter. However, there are but thirty-four troopers there. So four troops have beensent from Windsor, a depot from some other place, and two guns fromWoolwich. All this was rendered necessary by an intended meeting onPenenden Heath to-morrow. March, the Solicitor of the Treasury, is gonedown. 

There was much conversation about the state of the Press, and a resolutiontaken to prosecute, notwithstanding the unwillingness of the law officers. Scarlet appears to be quite cowed by opposition and the Press. 

This Press may be bought, but we have no money. Five-sixths of the ForeignSecret Service money are preoccupied by permanent old charges--the SecretService money of the Treasury is preoccupied in the same way. 

There is a small sum of droits which may be turned over to the Privy Purse, and then by the King to the Government, but it is not more than 3, 000£. Itis thought that perhaps some of the pensions on the Secret Service money ofthe Treasury may be turned over to the Foreign Office. The Treasury moneyis the only money applicable to the purchase of newspapers. 

We twaddled a great deal over the speech. It was proposed by Peel to inserta paragraph referring to the disturbed state of the country. He will writeit, and we shall consider it in a Cabinet at St. James's to-morrow at one, before the Council. 

Lord Bathurst is more alarmed than any one; but Peel is a good deal alarmedtoo. 

There is _danger_, for there are many to attack and few ready to riskanything in defence. It was otherwise in 1793. 

The Duke thinks that with every disposition to do mischief there is noconspiracy, or we should have heard of it. 

_November 1. _

Cabinet at St. James's at one. The Lord-Lieutenant has prohibited, byProclamation, the meeting of the Volunteer Society. Very properly andconsistently. It was a much more dangerous society than the other. He is afirm man, not to be turned from the course he thinks right. 

O'Connell has not been spoken to in the clubs he has entered. At Brookes'sthey turned their backs upon him. 

There was no meeting at Maidstone. Probably they had intimation of themovements of troops. Lord Beresford told me there were 3, 000 artillerymenat Woolwich, enough to serve guns for an army. 

Went through the speech again. Aberdeen is the most obstinate man I eversaw, about the mere _words_ of his part of the speech. We lost half an hourat least in talking about words to-day. Peel read his concluding sentence, which is very good. He laments the outrages, and the attempt to disturb theconcord between portions of the empire whose union is essential to theirmutual strength and happiness, declares the King's determination to exertthe powers confided to him by the Law and the Constitution for thepunishment of sedition, and ends by expressing a firm reliance on theloyalty of the great body of the people. 

As far as I could judge by the King's countenance when the speech was read, he acquiesced, and thought it right, but was pained at being obliged tohold such language. 

I had prepared a paragraph to be used in case it had been thought right tosay anything about India. For my own part I thought it better not. We couldnot produce a measure this year, and it would hardly be fair by the Courtto declare to Parliament that we thought the monopoly must be put an end towithout having previously acquainted them with our determination. The Dukesaid he had seen nothing yet to satisfy him that the revenues of Indiacould meet the expenditure without the China trade. I think his reluctanceincreases to put an end to the present system. My disposition to terminatethe existence of the Company increases the more I see of them. 

_November 2_

House at five. Lord Bute made a very long, heavy speech. Lord Monson a verylittle one, not bad. The stuff would do; but he has neither stature norvoice. 

We then had Lord Winchilsea, Lord Camden, Duke of Leinster, and LordFarnham. Lord Winchilsea right in tone, but desiring inquiry intoagricultural distress. This, too, was the burden of a mouthy speech made bythe Duke of Richmond, whom I had nearly forgotten. Lord Farnham spoke, ashe always does, well. He deprecated the dissolution of the Union, butdesired relief for Ireland. This, too, was desired by the Duke of Leinster, who spoke very firmly, as all did, against agitators. 

Lord Grey said it was a moment of great _danger_ and _importance_. Fortitude, caution, and wisdom were required. He spoke strongly against thedissolution of the Union, and against the disturbers of the public peaceeverywhere. He used the words of the speech, _grief_ and _indignation_. Hejoined in the determination to put down sedition by law. Rejoiced no newlaws were asked for. Approved of the prompt recognition of King LouisPhilippe; lamented the _necessity_ of the French Revolution. Said 'allRevolutions were in themselves evils, ' although they might produce eventualgood. Expressed his hope, for the honour of France and for the interests ofLiberty, that they would not sully a Revolution hitherto unstained by asingle act of vengeance. This part of his speech was very well worded andspoken. He objected to the terms in which the passage respecting theNetherlands was worded, as seeming to cast all the blame upon the Belgians, and so to make our mediation less effectual. He likewise objected to themaking the Portuguese Amnesty a seeming condition of the recognition ofMiguel. Of the recognition itself he did not complain, as he had so longbeen King _de facto_. These objections were fair. 

Lord Farnham having suggested the necessity of preparing for war, Lord Greysaid the preparation should be by gaining the hearts of our own people--andhe advocated, but very temperately, Reform. He did not, however, allow thatthere was any abstract right to a particular mode of constituting aLegislature. The right of the people was to a _good Government_, and towhatever form of Legislative Assembly might seem best to secure thatGovernment. 

His speech was good, and temperate, as well as firm. The Duke of Wellingtonfollowed him. He declared his intention to oppose Reform. He said we werenot bound to interfere for the maintenance of the Amnesty further than byadvice and remonstrance, not by war. 

I should mention that Lord Grey seemed pleased by the abandonment of thedroits. He was not very well, and at times was almost unable to proceed. 

Upon the whole the tone of the debate was very good, and will do good. 

_November 3. _

Office at eleven to see Col. Houston. 

Upon the whole the debate in the Commons was satisfactory. Peel was verymuch cheered. O'Connell spoke well, and was heard in perfect silence. Brougham made an ordinary speech; theme a bad one, violent. 

There was much row in the streets yesterday; but all occasioned by attacksupon the police, and attempts to rescue pickpockets. The Guards were calledout rather hastily. Colonel Rowan who commands the police has begged theymay be left to themselves. They are quite strong enough. 

Cabinet dinner at Lord Rosslyn's. No House of Commons people there. ThePrince of Orange is come. He has written to the King, and is to see him to-morrow. It seems there are 7, 500 men in the citadel of Antwerp, which canonly hold 2, 000, and has provisions only for two months. The forts of Lilloand Liefkenshoek are ill-garrisoned; so is Breda, and so is Bergen-op-zoom. The Dutch have not 4, 000 men in the field near Breda. The question is, whether the evacuation of the citadel of Antwerp would not be advisable forthe purpose of getting out the 7, 500 men. It seems that if Flushing beheld, the Scheld is of no use. The Conference respecting Belgian affairsmeets to-morrow, Talleyrand being sole representative of France. The firstobject will be to establish an armistice. 

After dinner we had some conversation respecting the debate in the Commonsof last night. Peel is disgusted at not being supported by the threeCabinet Ministers present, who knew the whole subject which had been sooften discussed in Cabinet--yet not one of them rose to answer Brougham. The Duke is very angry with them, and says he shall take an opportunity ofadvising Peel in their presence never to rise till Brougham has spoken, letothers be abused as they may. If the three mutes will not speak, it isclear they will not remain in very long. 

I consider a debate to be a battle, in which the chief should be able toput every man into the fight, as he would every battalion, with a view tothe ultimate object; he himself being the reserve. 

_November 4. _

It seems Sir G. Murray did speak last night, but he went further than heintended on Reform, and so rather damaged our position as a Government. 

Office. Saw Mr. Sullivan. He seems a sensible, liberal man. His evidencewould be a death-blow to the government of the Company. He says the cottonof Coimbatore is carried to Tinnevelly and thence to Madras by countryboats, where it is taken up by the China ships. It might be sent directlyto the sea on the Malabar coast, the distance being 300 miles. There is noobstruction to the cultivation. The country is under a Ryotwar settlement. The unequal demand of the Company is very injurious. Their great demand atsome periods encourages cultivation and raises prices exorbitantly--thenext year there is no demand at all. They now purchase by contract. Thecontracts are too large for the native merchants, and fall, as jobs, intothe hands of Europeans. Sufficient notice is not given of the contract. Thenative merchants have from one lac to one and a half. 

Great injury is sustained by the tobacco monopoly. The Company's officerssell it as retailers. The Government is, as I always thought, practicallyin the hands of the natives. They require European co-operation, but ifthey combine against their European superior he can do nothing. House atfive. Lord Winchilsea made a violent tirade against the Administration, without any motion before the House. The Duke made a few observations onthe point of order very quietly, and we rose. 

_November 5. _

St. James's at half-past one. The clergy of the Province of Canterbury werethere, with their address on the accession. They were not expected, andthere were no gentlemen pensioners. However, they delivered their addressto the King on the throne, and a very good address it was. Peel had towrite the answer in a hurry. 

Recorder's report. One man left for execution for a street robberyaccompanied with violence. 

The Recorder gave but a bad account of the disposition of the City. TheChancellor seems a good deal alarmed, and so does Peel. Every precaution istaken, but I cannot help fearing there is a conspiracy of which we knownothing. Aberdeen suspects connection with France. 

We are to inquire into the circumstances of the fires in Normandy, whichseem very much to resemble ours. We have had one near Godstone, and anotherat Fair-lawn, in Kent; the sufferers unoffending persons. The object seemsto be to spread general terror. It is clear that they are effected by thedischarge of some chemical preparation, which ignites after a time. Nowatching has any effect. Fires take place where no one has approached. 

Goulburn told me he thought Sir G. Murray had said much more than heintended, purely from want of habit of speaking; still he had done muchinjury. 

The new French Ministry is formed, and Lafitte is at its head. He pretendsto have the same views as the late Ministry; but it is impossible tosuppose the French can resist the offer of Belgium. We shall have no war ifwe can preserve internal peace and the integrity of the Constitution. 

_November 6. _

A letter from Hardinge, who seems to think we stand ill, not for want ofnumbers, but of speakers. Astell told me the Duke's declaration againstReform had injured him in the City. 

Saw Wortley, and had a long conversation with him respecting the state ofthe Government. He thinks we cannot go on. The Duke's declaration againstReform has made it impossible for any to join him, and upon the question ofReform it is doubtful if we should have numbers enough. 

We talked over possible Governments on the supposition that Lord Grey wasat the head, and that Peel remained in. In walking away I was overtaken inDowning Street by Lord Graham, who had been waiting to speak to me on thesame subject. He seems to think our fall not so immediately necessary asWortley does. I then called on Hardinge, who had been with the Duke thismorning. Hardinge had candidly told the Duke that if he had a minority onReform, or a small majority, he would advise him to resign; and previouslyto tell the King in what a situation he stood. If he had a good majority hemight perhaps get some to join; but if not, the position of the Governmentwould be as bad in February, or worse, than it was now. The Duke said hethought things might do still. He had a number of young men who dependedupon him. He would take care to give the King timely notice. The King hadbehaved very well to him. Indeed I know the Duke feels very strongly howadmirably and how kindly the King has behaved. 

Lord Maryborough had been to Hardinge to express his fears for the Duke'slife, and the Duke has received many letters informing him there is aconspiracy to assassinate him on Tuesday, as he goes to Guildhall. 

Hardinge said every precaution should be taken, but he begged LordMaryborough not to tell the Duke his apprehensions. Hardinge, however, hasthe same; and fears there may be an attempt that day to make London a sceneof barricades like Paris and Brussels. Troops will be disposed at intervalsin bodies of half battalions, with provisions, and there will be 1, 000cavalry. Two guns will be ready with the marines at the obelisk, and two inthe park. Hardinge observed to the Duke that he knew he had bolts inside tothe doors of the carnage, and added, 'I shall take pocket pistols!' TheDuke said, 'Oh! I shall have pistols in the carriage. ' Hardinge asked theDuke to take him, which he does. Arbuthnot goes with the Duke, too. I wishI could manage to follow him in my carriage. I shall buy a brace of double-barrelled pocket pistols on Monday. Hardinge showed me his. 

The Duke has made himself very obnoxious by declaring his resolution tooppose Reform, which in fact, however, he did not do in such terms as hasbeen said. 

Hardinge told me there was a proposal to Palmerston and others in thesummer, and they at once started the difficulty of Reform, which put an endto the negotiation. If I thought Reform would tranquillise the country Ishould be quite satisfied with a change of Ministers which would produceinternal contentment, but that I do not expect. 

I shall take care to have records in the office to show the line I wasprepared to take on the East Indian Monopoly, and the steps already taken. I shall likewise leave a memorandum upon the alterations I propose in thearmy. 

_November 7, Sunday. _

All the morning occupied with a letter on the Salt question. At half-pasttwo rode to the Cabinet robin. The Cabinet was to meet at three. We didnot, however, all assemble till four, the Duke having been with Peel at theHome Office. 

Before the Duke came we had all been talking of the Lord Mayor's Day, andthe manner in which we should go into the City and return, and theprecautions taken against riot. 

The Duke and Peel came together, and it was evident from the first wordsthe Duke spoke that he and Peel had made up their minds to put off theKing's visit to the City. The Chancellor seemed almost to take fire at theidea of this, but the Duke very quietly begged him to hear the lettersbefore he decided. The Duke then read various letters he had received, allwarning him against going, as there was a plot to assassinate him, andraise a tumult. One of them was from Pearson, a Radical attorney. There wasone from a coachmaker, saying he was satisfied, from what his men told him, there was such a design, and offering to come with eighteen of his peopleand guard the Duke. There was another offer, in a letter not read, to thesame effect. There was an examination of a man who serves a Radicalprinter, and who formerly lived with Cobbett, which showed the intention toexist of attacking the Duke. The impression seemed to be general that theattempt would be made. There was a letter from the Lord Mayor elect(Alderman Key) to the Duke, telling him there was an intention amongstdisaffected persons to excite tumult and confusion, and to attack him; thathe could not be in safety without a guard, and a strong one; and that if anattack was made _in one quarter_ the civil force would not be sufficient. 

The Duke said he would not go. Peel, who had received many lettersinforming him of the intention to assassinate him, said if he went he wouldgo privately, and come away privately. He observed that if our force, thedisposition of which was mentioned, and was admirable, succeeded in puttingdown a riot along the line of the procession, he could not answer for thesecurity of life or property in other parts of the town. We had informationthat the Duke's house would be attacked while he was in the City, and itwas to be feared that fires might take place to exercise terror and createa diversion. 

The feeling in the Duke's mind was that we should not be justified ingiving an occasion for the shedding of blood, by means of a crowd of ourown making. The consequences of the collision would be incalculable, andmight affect all parts of England. 

The consequences of putting off the King's visit were not lost sight of;the effect it would produce on the Funds, and on public confidence--allthat would be said against the Government as weighing down the King by itsunpopularity. 

The letter it was proposed to send was written, and the Duke and Peel wentwith it to the King at a little before seven. 

While they were gone the feeling of the Cabinet underwent a change. LordBathurst first observed that it would put an end to the Government, andcarry Reform. The Chancellor was most unwilling to postpone the King'svisit. It would be said we did it for our sakes only, and sacrificed him. Lord Bathurst thought the King would take the advice, but be very angry, and get rid of us. 

There would be a violent storm in Parliament, and the mobs would come toour houses. All these feelings rested upon the supposition that theprocession could return without a tumult, but the letter had been writtenon the supposition _that it could not_; which was the correct one. The Dukeand Peel came back and told us the King had thought the advice quite right, and had behaved as well as possible. The tears were in his eyes while theLord Mayor's letter was read. He said he had already determined in his ownmind to bring the Duke and Peel back in his own carriage. The Duke thoughtthe King had rather expected the advice, and that his mind was relieved byit. 

We knew the Queen was much alarmed; but it had been said that the Kingwould not hear of there being any danger. 

The account of the King's manner of receiving the advice seemed totranquillise those who had before been dissatisfied with the resolutionwhich had been come to. We then went to the Home Office, where we foundAlderman Thompson, Mr. Oldham (the Chairman of the EntertainmentCommittee), Lord Hill, Lord F. Somerset, Sir W. Gordon, General Macdonald, and Mr. Phillips. There were two City men I did not know. 

The Duke told them the course we had determined to adopt. Alderman Thompsonsaid he anticipated the decision--that it could not be announced in moreproper terms. There would be disappointment undoubtedly, but he thoughtpeople in general would be satisfied with the reasons. He was almost intears, and indeed all were much affected--the _cause_ of the measure beingthe apprehended danger to the Duke. 

Just as the letter was going off Alderman Thompson observed that althoughhe had no doubt the letter from the Lord Mayor elect was written by hisauthority, as it was in a handwriting in which a letter had been receivedfrom him by the Entertainment Committee, yet it was not in the Lord Mayorelect's handwriting, nor was it dated or signed by him as the other letterwas. It was immediately determined that it must be ascertained whether theLord Mayor elect had authorised the sending of the letter before Peel'sletter to the Lord Mayor was delivered. 

Many began to think there was a hoax, and certainly the forgery of oneletter would have thrown suspicion upon all the rest. 

We were to meet at half-past ten. In going down at half-past ten I calledupon Hardinge, who was in his dressing-gown. His servant gone to bed. Hedid not seem at all surprised. 

Went on to the Cabinet room. Found every word of the letter was in theLord Mayor elect's own handwriting. 

Mr. Phillips, Sir R. Binnie, and Col. Rowan came in, and Lord F. Somerset, and Sir W. Gordon. The artillerymen and marines, of whom there were to havebeen 500, with two guns, at the Obelisk, are not to be moved up. All theother troops are to remain, and every precaution to be taken, as an attemptto create disturbance may be expected on Tuesday. 

After we had disposed of this matter we spoke a little of Civil List andRegency. Notice is to be given to-morrow of the two bills, _as if we werestill a Government_, but I now think nothing but general alarm can enableus to weather the question of Reform. 

_November 8. _

The letter to the Lord Mayor is in the _Times_, and the measure istemperately approved of. 

At the same time the result of the Conference on the affairs of Belgium isannounced--namely, the declaration that there must be an armistice. Thiswill, I trust, give more solid expectations of peace than men haveentertained since the King's Speech. The opening of the West India ports toAmerican ships is likewise announced. Both the measures are well-timed. 

Rode down to the Horse Guards. Overtaken by the Duke, who said he heardthat people were delighted with the measure of postponing the King's visitto the City. However, whether they _would say so_ was another thing. Hespoke with much feeling of the King's kindness. He said he had behaved aswell as possible. 

Some boys hooted, but in general people took off their hats. 

Dodd, the coachmaker, told me the people in his neighbourhood were almostall well-disposed. There were very few Radicals. Colonel Jones had told himhe could get very few people to attend his meetings, and none who wererespectable. 

Met Hardinge. He considers it to be the end of the Government. We met LordHill, who lamented the measure, but concluded it was necessary. Went to theoffice, where I saw Wortley. He thought it a sad business, and fatal to theGovernment. He said London had been full of reports yesterday. Wynne wastalked of for the India Board. 

Hardinge's idea (as well as the reports) was that Leach would beChancellor, and Brougham Master of the Rolls. 

All the world was much amused by the Chancellor's giving a dinner to LordGrey, Brougham, Lord Lansdowne, and others. They themselves must have beenmuch amused, and the Chancellor's not getting to dinner till a quarter pasteight, and going away at a quarter-past ten, must have satisfied them thatsomething was in the wind. 

Desired Jones to make out the appointment of Leach's son to a clerkshipimmediately, and signed it in the course of the evening. 

House at five. It was very full. Every Whig who is above ground and somewho are half under it were present. After an hour of talk about everythingbut the only thing men were thinking of, the Duke of Richmond outed with itin an offensive manner, and he is the last man who should have done so. TheDuke made his explanation very well. Lord Grey afterwards spoke in a verybad temper, with personal civility, however, to the Duke. The Duke replied, which prevented my speaking at all. Lord Grey had spoken 'of measurestending to bring this country into the situation in which France was thetime of the late Revolution;' words which should have been taken up, butthe Duke's rising after him prevented it. 

Upon the whole I think the measure is considered right, and people are veryglad; indeed, the danger is no longer hanging over their heads. I hear thatin the Commons Peel did admirably, and that he was cheered by the wholeHouse when a Colonel Davies _sneered_ at the letter from the Lord Mayor tothe Duke. Brougham made as mischievous a speech as he could. 

The Chancellor gave notice of the Regency Bill for Friday. 

I do not think our friends see our danger, and they will never forgive usif we go out of office without absolute necessity. 

_November 9. _

Looked into the Salt question in the morning. Cabinet at two. There waslast night a meeting at the Rotunda; about 2, 000 people within, and 3, 000or 4, 000 without. About half-past ten they dispersed, and from 200 to 600ran down to Westminster, first going to the House, which was up, and thento Downing Street. The police licked them well, and sent them off. Theycame so quick that a man who headed them, and brought information to theHome Office, where Peel and the Duke were, could not, by hard running, getin advance above a minute, and they had passed the Horse Guards before theDuke, who went there by the back way from the Home Office, had got into thecourtyard. He was going out at the door when the porter told him the mobwas passing. One man was taken, in whose pocket was found his will, leavinghis body to form a rampart against the troops, &c. 

It was determined to endeavour to induce the mob to disperse as soon as theRotunda was full, and then to read the Riot Act as soon as the lawjustified it, and to disperse them by police. There will be commonconstables there besides. Mr. Chambers will be there; and if he sends forassistance to the Horse Guards, two bodies of fifty each, each headed by amagistrate, will go over Westminster Bridge, one by Stamford Street, theother by the Blackfriars Road, to the Rotunda. 

There will be about 300 or 400 new police there. I suggested to Chambersthe having a boat ready to take a note to the Horse Guards, as hismessenger might be impeded in the streets. Persons are flocking in fromBrixton and Deptford, and by the Kentish roads. 

Mr. Chambers represents the mob as very cowardly. 

There are two shorthand writers at the Rotunda. The speeches are not veryseditious. 

The _Times_ is turning against us, and I hear the Press is worse than itwas--none of the newspapers fighting our measure well. 

After the Duke was gone there was a little said about Reform. Manydefections announced--the Staffords, young Hope, Lord Talbot, the Clivesvery unwilling to vote against it, thinking the public feeling so strong. Isuggested that neither the Duke nor Peel had gone further than to say thatno proposition had yet been made which seemed to them to be safe, and thatwe might perhaps agree to a Committee to inquire into the state of theRepresentation, and afterwards defeat the specific measures. Peel said hethought the terms of the motion did not signify. It was 'Reform, or noReform!' He never would undertake the question of Reform. Lord Bathurst, ofcourse, was against me, and generally they were; but they had, before mysuggestion, said, 'Had we not better, then, consider what we shall do?'Afterwards they said nothing. 

Peel and the Duke both think the measure generally approved, and Peel issatisfied with the House of Commons. Goulburn, on the other hand, thinksthe general feeling is against us. 

House. Nothing said. There was a crowd at the door, and much hooting. I hadto drive my horse through it. While we were in the House the mob wasremoved by the police. Not knowing this, Clanwilliam and I came home in theDuke's carriage. There was no mob till we passed Bridge Street, where therewere a good many people who recognised the carriage, and followed ithooting. They ran into Downing Street, and we passed on through the HorseGuards. I was glad to find a Grenadier at the Duke's. Clanwilliam said hehad ten or twelve there. 

Altered the Bill respecting the fees of officers in the Superior Courts, and sent it with a letter to Lawford, appointing eleven on Thursday forseeing him at the office. 

_November 10. _

Office. Wrote a placard and showed it to Peel, who will have it printed. The tide is turning. Carlisle began to abuse the Duke last night, and foundit would not do. Some cried out, 'He gained the Battle of Waterloo!' andCarlisle was obliged to begin to praise him. He then tried to abuse the newpolice, but that would not do, and he was obliged to praise them too. 

There was a good deal of rioting in different parts of the town. The CityPolice was inefficient, and at Temple Bar rascals were masters for sometime. The new police, however, gave them a terrible licking oppositeSouthampton Street, and not far from Northumberland House. They got licked, too, in Piccadilly--and the whole was put down by the Civil Power. 

The military were so arranged that, had they been called for, they wouldhave enveloped the rioters. The thing may be considered as nearly put down, and the Government strengthened by it. 

The Funds have risen to-day, and are as high as before the postponement ofthe King's visit--indeed higher. So much for Lord Clanricarde's speech. 

Cabinet dinner at the Duke's. The King is anxious about the duration of hisGovernment. He would concede on the subject of Reform, although he isagainst it. Peel told him he thought that by opposing all Reform in thefirst instance the Government would be able to make better termsafterwards. The King said either course had its conveniences andinconveniences. He did not decide between them; but he evidently inclinesto concession. 

It seems the Queen _now_ declares herself much disappointed at not going toGuildhall, and the Fitzclarence family are turning against the Government, wishing, as the Duke says, to be Dukes and Duchesses, which is impossible. 

On Tuesday night 4, 000 troops could have been collected in St. James's Parkin ten minutes. There were 2, 000 police near Whitehall as a grand reserve. The Lord Mayor wrote to Peel acknowledging the total inefficiency of theCity Police. The contrast between the City and Westminster was moststriking. 

The Press is turning against us. Like cats, they are leaving the fallinghouse. 

In the House of Commons this evening there was an almost unanimous shoutwhen Peel admitted that the new Bishop of Exeter was to hold the living ofStanhope _in commendam_. It seems all unite upon that question, which is anunlucky one, although the interference of Parliament is quite irregular. 

There was much talk about the Regency question after dinner, and I leftthem talking still at half-past eleven. 

On Friday the Chancellor should open the question to the House, and we arenot prepared, having called Parliament together for this specific purpose!

We have neglected the Press too much. The Duke relies upon the support of'respectable people, ' and despises the rabble; but the rabble readnewspapers, and gradually carry along with them the 'respectable people'they outnumber. 

I do not think the being out of office for a Session would be of anyultimate disadvantage to me. I am sure I should enjoy better health, and Ishould have much more to do in the House. I should be enabled to regain myproper place. 

_November 11. _

Office. Saw Wortley. He says the spirits of our friends are improved, andthose of our foes lowered, the few last days as to Reform. Cabinet at two. A fire at Melton-Constable. The country round Battle and Hawkhurst almostin insurrection. Troops sent there The accounts from France good. TheFrench Government acknowledges the right of the Diet to drive the Belgiansout of the Duchy of Luxembourg, which is a part of the German Empire. Theyhave instructed Talleyrand to promote the interests of the Prince ofOrange. 

Regency Bill. Decided that the Princess Victoria shall be considered Queen, and the oath of allegiance taken to her with the reservation of the rightsof any child that might be born. If the child should be born, the QueenDowager to be Regent. During the Princess's minority the Duchess of Kent. 

The Duke saw the King to-day, and found him very well satisfied with thepostponement of the dinner, and tranquil. 

House. The Duke of Buckingham told me they had formed their Government, andexpected to be in in a week. They think the Duke will resign after Tuesday. Lord Grey to be Foreign Secretary. The Duke of Richmond to be First Lord ofthe Treasury. Palmerston and Grant Secretaries of State. LansdownePresident. The Government to be as Tory as possible. The Chancellor toremain. 

Lothian told me all the best old friends of the Government were againstPhilpotts. I told him the reasons why Parliament should not interfere; withwhich he was satisfied, and was sorry he had not heard them before. 

Lord Camden spoke to me on the same subject. I wish we could get rid ofPhilpotts. He will damage us more than Reform. 

The Funds have risen to 84 3/4; that is, 7 1/2 per cent, in three days. Ibelieve this is the consequence, not only of the broken heads, but of theidea that the Duke will be firm and not run away. 

We had a two hours' talk about agriculture; the Duke acquiescing in amotion of Salisbury's for a Committee on the Poor Laws. 

_November 12. _

Wrote a note to Hardinge, suggesting to him the expediency of calling uponDr. Philpotts and placing before him the hopelessness of his keepingStanhope, the damage to himself of a vote of Parliament, and to the Churchfrom the example of Parliamentary interference, leading him to propose theexchange of Stanhope for a living near Exeter, and I mentioned Dr. Barnes. If this could be managed we should turn evil into good, and avoid thedivision we must lose. The Funds rose to 853/4, and then fell to 84 3/4, being still a rise. In the City they think the Government will stand. 

There have been threatening notices as near as Colnbrook. In Sussex andKent things are very bad. I did not, however, see Peel to-day. There wasnothing in the House. 

_November 13. _

It seems Peel and Scarlet licked Brougham well yesterday. The temper of theHouse is said to have been rather good. Hardinge told me Goulburn made anindifferent speech. Philpotts has so good a case that he looks confidentlyto the result of the debate. We agreed that there was no reason-why the_congé d'élire_ should not issue. Philpotts himself decides that it should, happen what may as to Stanhope. 

We had some talk as to the division on the Civil List. Peel is for refusinga Committee, and the separation of the diplomatic expenditure, and will notyield because he is weak. I think he is right. The better face we put uponit, the more votes we shall have. 

Hardinge suggested the placing of Doherty in Arbuthnot's office. Nothingcould be better than that arrangement; but he thought, and I think, theDuke would not displace Arbuthnot. Arbuthnot knows more about my officethan any one else. Where would they put me?

We had some conversation respecting the Regency. It was determined tolegislate as _little_ as we could. 

_November 14. _

Cabinet at four. Peel is of opinion that the fires are in many casesperpetrated for stock-jobbing purposes. They are certainly done by personsfrom London. 

He said he was satisfied that, whatever might be the division on Reform, the question was carried. Admiral Sotheron, Lindsay, he thought [blank], and I think he mentioned another, voted for it. If the county members did, and it was thrown out by the representatives of Scotch and Englishboroughs, it was impossible to stand much longer. He read a paper, circulated for signatures in the parish of St. Ann, in which thesubscribers declare their readiness to be sworn in as special constables, and their determination to protect property. At the same time they declaretheir opinion that there ought to be a Reform, first in the House ofCommons; but of Church and State. This he considers the commencement of aBurgher Guard. I cannot understand his reasoning; if he thinks Reform mustbe carried, surely it is better to vote a general resolution, and to fightthe details. By objecting to the general resolution we shall probably beturned out, and have much less power to do good out of office than if wewere in. 

It seems to me that obstinacy, and the fear of being again accused ofratting, lead to this determination to resist when resistance is, in hisown opinion, fruitless. 

Clive, whom I saw to-day, is for a modified Reform; but he will vote for usin order to keep the Duke in. 

We had a long conversation about the Regency, and agreed upon the substanceand form of the Bill. Aberdeen wanted again to open the whole question, onwhich he has no fixed opinion. He has come round entirely. First he thoughtthe right was in the presumptive heir; now he thinks it must be in thechild _in utero_. 

It appears certain that at Carlisle the 9th was looked to as the day ofsignal to them and to all England. It seems the plan was to attack theGuildhall and massacre all in it. There would have been a smash, but a mostsignal defeat, for there would have been 250 cavalry, and from 700 to 800Volunteers there (the East India Volunteers and the Artillery Company), besides a battalion within reach. 

Sir Claudius Hunter has published in the _Sunday Times_ a denial of thespeeches attributed to him, and a statement of the City force. Theirordinary force is fifty-four men! With Volunteers, Artillery Company, Picket men, Firemen, Lumber Troop, &c. , they would have had about 2, 250. 

_November 15. _

House. A very temperate speech of Lord Durham, and a very good one of LordSuffield, respecting the new police. Lord Bathurst observed to me theyspoke as if they expected to come in. I mentioned Salisbury's motion for aCommittee which is to be made on Monday next, and Lord Bathurst said 'Shallwe be alive then?' He has a serious apprehension of being out. 

The Chancellor made a most excellent speech in moving the first reading ofthe Regency Bill, and was cheered on both sides of the House. It seems asif the measure would be unanimously approved. Lord Eldon seemed to say heshould advise the Duke of Cumberland to acquiesce in it. 

The ultra Tories were to have a meeting to-day--thirty-eight of them--todecide what they should do about Reform. Yesterday the report was theyjoined us; but the Duke of Richmond will do all he can to make them goagainst us, and, if they do, I suppose we shall be obliged to make ourbows. 

_November 16. _

Goulburn opposed the submitting the Civil List accounts to a Committee, andwas defeated. We had 204 to 233. Majority against us, 29. Hobhouse askedPeel whether Ministers would resign, to which he got no answer. Broughamrose and said Ministers would have time for consideration. 

I suppose this division must be considered to be fatal to us. Henry isgoing off to take chambers. He means to apply himself to the Law. He israther in a hurry. For my own part I am by no means sorry to be out ofoffice. I think I shall be better able to regain my proper station inOpposition than I could have done in office, and the emoluments are of novalue to me now. 

Office. Saw Wortley. He is glad that the division against us has been uponthe Civil List, rather than upon Reform. He thinks we should resign to-day, and thus throw upon the Whigs the burden of bringing forward Reform as aGovernment measure. Probably Brougham would postpone his motion if weresigned. 

At about half-past three I received a note from Sir Robert Taylor desiringmy immediate attendance at St. James's. I dressed and went, and in a fewmoments was admitted to the King. I met Lord Melville coming away. The Kingdesired me to sit down, and asked me whether I had any expectation of thedivision of last night? I said no--I thought that upon any questionconnected with the Civil List we should have had a majority; that thequestion itself was one of little importance; but, as the Committee had notbeen granted before, Sir R. Peel thought it would be a confession ofweakness not to oppose it now, and I thought he was right. The King said itwas probably chosen as a question merely to try strength. 

The King asked me what had taken place between the Government and theCompany. I told his Majesty, and added an outline of the plan I had for thenew military arrangements, of which he seemed highly to approve. I thensaid I supposed I must take leave of his Majesty. He said in one sense hisMinisters seemed to think they could not go on. 

I said I could not but express my sentiments, which were I was sure thoseof all my colleagues--the sentiments of deep gratitude to his Majesty forthe constant kind and honourable confidence he had placed in us. 

His Majesty said he thought it his duty to give the full support of theCrown to his Ministers. He had confidence in those he found at hisbrother's demise; and since July 26, which was the commencement of ourtroubles, he had regarded with admiration that which was most important intheir conduct, their Foreign Policy. He had a feeling of entiresatisfaction with them. 

I said it must likewise be satisfactory to his Majesty to feel that hislate Ministers, fully aware of the real difficulties of the country, wouldnever be led by any personal or party feelings to do anything which couldbe _prejudicial_ to the country, and that whatever might be theirdifferences in principle from his new Ministers they would ever support hisMajesty's interests. 

The King was much affected, and had the tears in his eyes all the time Iwas speaking to him. I then rose and kissed his hand, and he shook handswith me, and wished me good-bye for the present. I asked for the _entrée_, which he gave me very good-naturedly. As I came away I met Rosslyn goingin. The three Fitzclarences were in the lower room, seemingly enjoying ourdiscomfiture. 

House at five. The Duke had already declared that the occurrence which hadtaken place elsewhere had induced him to think it his duty to tender hisresignation to the King, and his Majesty had been graciously pleased toaccept it. 

Lord Grosvenor asked a question as to the appointment of a successor to Mr. Buller, and Lord Bathurst said none had been made. 

It is a sad loss to Wm. Bathurst, who would have been Clerk of the Councilif the Government had lasted three days longer. 

Nothing was said. Lord Grey has been sent for by the King. 

I went through all the protocols on the table, and have left hardlyanything but two unanswered letters to my successor--one respecting therate of Exchange between territory and commerce; the other respectingHyderabad affairs. 

_November 19. _

Office. Saw Cabell, Jones, and Leach. They had all the tears in their eyes. Old Jones could hardly help bursting altogether into tears. Left directionswith Leach for placing certain papers before my successor, showing thestate of the finances and expenditure prospectively, and the position inwhich we were as to the renewal of the Charter. 

Cabell will place the Hyderabad papers before my successor, with my letterto Astell, and his reply. 

Called on Hardinge, who was not at home. 

I can only leave a memorandum in the office showing the nature and extentof the military alterations I projected. 

Called on the Duke. He told me Peel came to him in a very nervous state onMonday night. Arbuthnot and Goulburn were with him. It was clear that themajority would have been against us if there had been a House of 500. TheDuke sent for the Chancellor, who said as soon as he heard of the divisionhe thought the game was up--that we could not go on. The Duke went to theKing in the morning, and told him it was better he should resignimmediately, and so force the new Government to bring forward their measureof Reform. It was better for the country. The King asked the Duke's opinionof Lord Grey, and whether he had ever had any communication with him. TheDuke said No. The King knew the personal objections the late King had toLord Grey, and he could not, although often pressed by Lord Grey's friends, have any communication with him without either deceiving _him_ or deceivingthe King; and he would not do either. The King asked what sort of a manLord Grey was? The Duke said he really did not know. He had the reputationof being an ill-tempered, violent man; but he knew very little of him. Hehad never had any political conversation with him. The King was muchagitated and distressed. 

I told the Duke what passed at my interview with his Majesty yesterday. 

Drummond, Greville, and Sir J. Shelley, whom I saw in the ante-room, congratulated me on being out, but condoled on Lord Durham's being removedout of my way. He goes Minister to Naples _vice_ Lord Burghersh, _dismissed_. It is understood Brougham will not _positively_ take myoffice. 

Levée. The Duke of Buckingham told me the King was much out of spirits. Heexpressed himself much pleased with his Ministers. 

The King desired Lord Camden to come and see him frequently--every three orfour days. 

The Duke of Newcastle, Lord Falmouth, Sir E. Knatchbull, Sir R. Vyvyan, will not support the new Government. Having had their revenge they mean toput their knees in our backs and do all they can to get out the others. They are sorry for the work they have performed, and regret their vote. They had intended to stay away on the question of Reform--now they mean tovote against it. 

Lord Anglesey goes to Ireland; a very bad appointment. The Duke ofDevonshire would have been a very unexceptionable one. 

None of the Whigs or Whig Radicals were at the levée, but a good manyTories. We were there as usual as Ministers, and those who had businesswith the King went in to him as usual. 

I proposed to Herries, Goulburn, Arbuthnot, and others, that we should ineach department prepare a statement of what has been done since the Dukecame into office. This we shall do to-morrow. 

I likewise proposed we should have a large sheet of paper with columns forthe new Ministers, and in each column their pledges with the dates. 

Croker has promised to undertake a newspaper, probably the 'Star. '

Arbuthnot told us before dinner that as yet no progress had been made byLord Grey, except in getting Lord Althorp after much solicitation. Broughamhas again in the House of Commons to-night declared he has nothing to dowith the new Government, and will positively bring on his motion on the25th. The new Government wish to postpone the question till March, whenthey promise to bring in a Bill. 

Lord Lansdowne is said to be much dissatisfied, and the Palmerston partythink they have not enough offered to them. It is evident that Broughamprefers power to temporary emolument and distinction, and he will be verydangerous acting at the head of the Whig Radicals. 

The Duke said 300 people had called upon him to-day--amongst the rest LordCleveland, with whom Lord Grey was early this morning, and whom he in vainendeavoured to induce to go to Ireland. 

William Bankes, whose father did us most mischief on Monday, and who didnot vote with us, came to ask the Chancellor for a living to-day!

Lord Grey was much agitated when he was with the King, and has expressedhimself as very much struck by the strong terms in which the King declaredhis approbation of his late Ministers. 

My fear is that the Whigs will not be able to form a Government. It is ofmuch importance to the country that their incompetence should be exhibited, and the fallacy of the grounds upon which they have been attempting toobtain popular favour. We shall never be strong until it is proved theycannot form a Government. Again I say my fear is they will be unable totake the first step. It was considered that we ought to transact all theordinary business of our several departments. 

_November 18. _

Called on Hardinge. He is out of spirits. Yesterday at the meeting of the_employés_ Lord G. Somerset asked Peel if he would lead them--to which Peelgave a damping answer. Hardinge feels that he is capable of business, thathis circumstances require he should exert himself and be in office; and, ashe would not take office without the Duke's acquiescence, he thinks itrather hard he should be deprived of a Parliamentary leader, and thus ofthe means of coming in. 

I told him Peel would be in Opposition in a fortnight, as soon as herecovered his health and his spirits. There has been a report that the Dukehad declared he would not take office again--which is untrue. 

Office. Saw Jones. Received a letter from the Chairs asking whether I hadgiven Sir J. P. Grant authority to appeal to my sanction for his remainingin India, notwithstanding the Order in Council for his return. My answer is_No_. I add that I imagine the misapprehension arose out of some privatecommunications from Sir J. P. Grant's friends, of the purport of aconversation with me which must have been inaccurately reported to him. Ishowed my draft reply to Lord Rosslyn, and begged him to show it to Grant'sson. 

The report Hardinge gave me was that Lord Wellesley was to succeed me.