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, where they decided against the Jew Relief Bill.  The bishops have intimated that they must unanimously oppose it.

Debate on Lord Clanricarde’s motion on the eternal Terceira question.  The Duke spoke very well.  The House was flat.  The division with proxies 126 to 31, 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 adopted upon P. Thompson’s motion for a committee to revise taxation.  Peel still hankers after the property tax, and rather unwillingly opposes this motion.  However, it will be done on the ground that the remission of such a question to a committee would derange, by existing apprehensions and hopes, the whole industry of the country.  In fact it would likewise vest the Government in the committee.  Peel, Planta, and Holmes all think the division will be close.  I do not apprehend that, if the debate be well conducted.

Had a long conversation with the Duke upon Indian matters.  The recollections of his youth are strong upon him, and he still clings to the old 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 no means 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 very good evidence, and quite knocked up colonisation.

Monday, March 29, 1830.

Office at 2.  Looked over regulations, &c., relative to the half-castes and considered their question.  Came to a decided opinion against their admissibility to offices which can be held by natives.

When Lord Carlisle presented the petition I said very little, expressed compassion for their situation, and a wish to relieve it in any manner consistent with the conservation of our empire and the well-being of the great body of the native population.  I said what they asked was not equality of rights, but privilege.

Lord King’s resolutions on the Corn Laws.  A dull debate which lasted till nine—­no division.  The Duke did not speak well, and it was unnecessary for him to speak at all.

March 30.

Committee.  Examined Mr. Chaplin, who gave a very good evidence.  He is decidedly against the employment of half-castes.

I told the Duke at the Committee that I had written to the King immediately on Clare’s appointment, and afterwards to Sir F. Watson, when I sent the warrant and had got no answer.  The Duke said he would enquire about it.  He thought he should have spoken to the King before.  However, he would settle it.