Part 2 (1/2)
_April 13, 1829, Monday._
Chairs at 11. Informed them of Sir Sidney Beckwith's appointment to the command 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. Sir Charles Metcalfe should be the person appointed, with precise instructions obliging him to a system of non-interference in the internal concerns of the Malwa and Rajpoot States. Sir J. Malcolm would have interposed.
The treaties with the Rajpoot States generally secure their internal independence. Those with the States of Malwa give us the right, and impose upon us the duty of supervision. It requires, therefore, a most delicate hand to bring the whole into one system animated by one spirit.
I said incidentally to-day, 'I will not sit here to sacrifice India to England,' a sentiment which escaped me, but which I feel to be correct, not only socially but politically.
Ashley came and bored me about a pet.i.tion of some Hindoos and Mahometans in Calcutta, who wish to be grand jurors. I told him I could not proceed hastily in any matter of legislation, and that this was one of much delicacy. I should speak to Fergusson.
A Cabinet had been fixed for 3. I concluded it was on account of a delay on the King's part in giving the Royal a.s.sent to the Relief Bill. The Cabinet was counter-ordered, the Commission having arrived at two.
The Chancellor had sent a note to the King with the Bills, calling his attention to them. The King, on sending them back with the Commission signed, thanked the Chancellor for having called his attention to the Bills, and said he gave his a.s.sent reluctantly.
The Chancellor had sent a note last night to Watson, the Equerry, desiring him to remind the King of the Commission.
So at a few minutes before four to-day the Chancellor, Lord Bathurst, and I sat as Commissioners to give the Royal a.s.sent to the Relief Bill, and about thirty-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 Bill another. There were thirteen peers in the House, and seven or eight more about. Lord Savoy, his son, young Lambton, Lady Petres, and her daughters, Mrs. Fox, and some other ladies were there--Lady Stanhope. The old d.u.c.h.ess of Richmond came too late.
I observed that in pa.s.sing each other very close the Duke of Wellington and the Duke of c.u.mberland took no notice of each other.
Lord Durham said to me, 'Now the King will turn you all out in revenge as soon as he can,' to which I a.s.sented. He certainly will when he dares.
The Duke of Norfolk and Mr. Petres were in the House, giving and receiving congratulations. All parties congratulate the Duke. Falmouth alone still looks sad and sombre. The Duke of Wellington has a bad cold. He was very hoa.r.s.e, and wrapped himself in his cloak as soon as he had done speaking.
_April 14._
Saw Mr. Fergusson respecting a pet.i.tion from Hindoos and Mahometans at Calcutta, praying to be allowed to sit on grand juries. He thinks they should--as they are allowed to sit on petty juries. If the matter had been well considered, the privilege they now ask should have been granted before that they have obtained.
Mr. Fergusson is, however, rather afraid of allowing them to sit on the trial of Christians.
By the newspapers I see that there has been a quarrel at Teheran, between some of the Russian Amba.s.sador's suite and the populace, which led to an attack upon the Russian palace, and to the death of the Amba.s.sador and all his people except two. This is an unfortunate event, as it will give the Russians a new claim to indemnity, which they will exercise inexorably.
Probably they will insist on the junction of Persia in the attack on Turkey, as the only satisfaction they can accept.
It is just possible that the example once given, and the people despairing of pardon, a rising against the Russians may take place, and something of a national feeling arise in Persia. But I fear this will not be the case. I suppose our Minister was at Tabriz.
_April 15._
The Duke was at Windsor to-day to ask the King's permission to restore the resigners. The King said he thought the Duke could not do better. He just mentioned Wetherell's name as if he thought he was to be excepted from the restoration, but desired to be _certior-factus_.
The King was cold. The Duke had to wait twenty minutes, the Duke of c.u.mberland being with the King. However, I believe this delay may only have originated in a necessary change of dress on His Majesty's part, as he was sitting for his picture _in a Highland dress_. The Duke saw a large plaid bonnet in the room, and he believes the King had still on plaid stockings.
The business of the restoration was finished in ten minutes, when the conversation flagged, and the Duke was rising to go away.
However, something more was then said, and the interview in all lasted twenty minutes. The King said he was delighted with Lord Winchelsea. He was so gentlemanlike, and spoke _in so low a tone of voice!_ He likewise thought Lord Farnham very gentlemanlike, and Lord Rolle more violent than any.
The Duke had to wait twenty minutes before he could see Lady Conyngham.