A Political Diary 1828-1830, Volume II | Page 5

for 3. I concluded it was on account of a
delay on the King's part in giving the Royal assent 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 assent 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 assent 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 Duchess of Richmond came too late.
I observed that in passing each other very close the Duke of Wellington
and the Duke of Cumberland 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 assented. 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 hoarse, 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 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 Ambassador's suite and the populace,
which led to an attack upon the Russian palace, and to the death of the
Ambassador 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
Cumberland 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. They seemed to wish him not to see her. However, he did.
She said all would have been quiet if the Duke of Cumberland had not
come over, and all would be quiet when he went away. The King
seemed relieved since the Bill was passed.
On his return the Duke sent for George Bankes and offered him his
place again. Bankes asked two or three days to consider. The Duke
gave him till to-morrow.
It seems he has now a notion that he owed his place not to