A Political Diary 1828-1830, Volume II | Page 9

Candia under the protocol, to insist upon the
Greeks withdrawing from their advanced position near Prevesa under
the protocol, and to insist likewise upon the withdrawing of the French
troops from the Morea, according to the engagement.
I am not satisfied with this. Every part of our diplomacy has been
unfortunate. We have succeeded in nothing. I predicted if we became
engaged in the war, it would be ultimately on a little point and not upon
a great one. 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 to his enquiry as to the propriety of addressing the King. I am
going to send him the Duke's original letter as a record.
The King certainly received the Protestant peers, and particularly those
who 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 the people as they passed. He seemed rayonnant.
After dinner I had some conversation with Loch, the Chairman, as to
governing India in the King's name. He does not positively object. I
think I shall be able to carry that point. I consider it to be of the most
essential importance.
_April 30._
Cabinet at 12. Determined to fund eight millions of Exchequer Bills.
No taxes to be taken off or imposed. We had some conversation as to
the East Retford question. V. Fitzgerald communicated a proposal from
Littleton to propose the adjournment of all discussion upon the subject
till next year, as it is evident nothing can be done this year. Littleton
proposed this because 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 was decidedly of opinion that whatever we did we should do
from ourselves, and certainly not act in concert with an enemy. The
Tories look to our conduct upon this question as the touchstone.
Drawing-room. The King, as yesterday, very civil to the Brunswickers
and taking no notice of our friends. He took particular notice of the
Brazilians. Madame de Lièven is endeavouring to form a Government
with the Duke of Cumberland, the Ultra-Tories, the Canningites, and
some Whigs.
The King is very Russian. I believe all this will end in nothing. The
Chancellor thinks they may try to make a change when Parliament is up,
and so have six months before them. They may think of it; but the only
object of such a Government would be _revenge._ They cannot repeal
the Relief Bill, nor do they wish to pursue a different line of policy
either at home or abroad.
The foreigners think that having settled the Catholic question we are
ready to draw the sword, and find a field of battle wherever we can.
This the Russians are afraid of, and hence arises in some degree their
wish to overthrow the Duke's Government; but the real foundation of
all the Russian intrigues is Madame de Lièven's hatred for the Duke,
and her rage at feeling she has overreached herself.
_May 1._
Sir Thomas Tyrwhitt was with the King for two hours to-day, the Duke
of Cumberland being in the room and the King in bed. The King is very
much out of humour, and abused everything and everybody. He is very
angry at ladies being admitted to the House of Lords, and particularly
at their going in such numbers the day the Duke of Norfolk took his
seat. The Duke of Cumberland has sworn he will not leave England till
he has turned out the present Ministers. He is the only colonel of the
Horse Guards who ever does duty--Lord Cathcart being absent and
Lord Harrington incapable. When he last got the gold stick from Lord
Harrington he swore he would never let it out of his hands. As gold
stick he ordered the gates of the Horse Guards to be closed the day of
the Drawing-room, and thus obliged all the Ministers who dressed in
Downing Street to go all round.
He told Clanwilliam to-day with great satisfaction that the King never
could again be on good terms with his Ministers.
No arrangement is yet made with the Master of the Rolls. Everything

waits for 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. I
recollect hearing of him at Cambridge. He is a very clever man and a
good speaker. Tindal is of course to be Master of the Rolls.