A Political Diary 1828-1830, Volume II | Page 4

_April 11, 1829._

House. A long speech from Lord Eldon, containing no argument, and
both flat and bad.
Then a speech from Lord Harrowby, long and sensible; but heavily
delivered and not wanted. A long speech from Lord Lansdowne, still
less wanted, and very dull.
The Duke was obliged to say something civil to the Whigs, but he did it
sparingly, and contre coeur.
We had a majority of 104. The Franchise Bill was likewise read a third
time.
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
his temples.
The House was full of ladies. Mrs. Fox, Lady Jersey, Lady Pitt and her
daughters, Lady A. Brudenell, Lady Harrowby, Lady G. Wortley, Lord
Eldon's daughters, Lady Glengall, Mrs. and Miss Sheridan, the old
Duchess of Richmond, Lady Manners, Lady Rolle, Lady Haddington,
and many others.
The intended row failed altogether. Only four carriages went down to
Windsor. Halcomb and his two friends saw an equerry. They were told
their petition must be presented through the Secretary of State, and
went away quietly.
The Duke of Cumberland said he must withdraw his support from the
Government; 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
upon Eldon, as in bad taste and offensive. I shall endeavour to ascertain
whether this is the general opinion. Not having heard Eldon, they
cannot know how very mischievous and disingenuous he was.
_April 12._
Met the Lievens, Lyndhursts, Sir J. Murray, and others at dinner, at the
Esterhazy's. The King has not yet sent back the commission to pass the

Catholic Bill.
The Lievens are more shy of me than ever.
Lord Bathurst seemed to be much pleased with my idea of carrying on
the Government of India in the King's name. He said it should be under
a Secretary of State for India.
The Chancellor approved highly of my notion of suggesting Herries for
the Government of Bombay, if the directors will not have Courtney. He
is useless to us, and a discredit. Besides, we want his place.
Had some talk with Vernon at Lady Jersey's. He has the Canning
venom about him 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 a Cabinet in which he was not chief. The Government
would not have lived if he had continued in. I told him I had become
satisfied from my short experience that a coalition Government could
not conduct the affairs of the country with advantage--especially where
the difference was [blank].
The Duke of Cumberland is gone to Windsor. If the commission should
not arrive to-night I dare say the Duke of Wellington will go to
Windsor early to-morrow.
Lady Jersey was very loud in her dispraise of the Duke of Richmond.
Every one who knows him says he is very cunning. There is a mixture
of good and bad taste about him. He is popular, and he would make a
good man of business.
_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 petition 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