March 31.

Committee at 1.  Examined Mr. Ricketts, the half-caste, when Lord Carlisle had examined him in chief.  Mr. Ricketts did not seem to know much about the law.  It was odd enough to observe him looking round to me after every answer.

We had afterwards Mr. Baker, a strong contrast indeed with Mr. Ricketts.  He gave very curious evidence relative to the trade of the Arabs of Malabar with Scinde, the Persian Gulf, and the Red Sea.

April 2.

Cabinet.  Question whether the French should be allowed to hire 9,000 tons of transports now in the river for the expedition against Algiers.  The Duke was strongly against it.  The French had behaved so ill to us, concealing their objects from us, and revealing them to other Courts, besides intriguing with the Pasha of Egypt.

Aberdeen was for giving the permission.  He thought the French would consider it quite a hostile measure if we refused permission.  However, permission will not be given.

Leopold is still negotiating about the money, and it seems doubtful whether he will not resign at last.

April 3.

The Company have got into an awkward scrape.  It seems they have not made out their account of the prime cost of their tea as merchants do, that they have charged all losses whether from fixed rate of exchange or other causes, whereas merchants in general state prime cost on a calculation of the price in the place where the article is purchased, the other calculations going in diminution of profit.

I begin to think the maintenance of the monopoly will be impossible.  I have long thought it very inexpedient.  It would leave a sullen, settled feeling of discontent in the minds of the manufacturers and merchants of England.

April 6.

Wrote to the Duke to tell him I had not yet received the Duke of Devonshire’s memorandum respecting Sir W. Rumbold, and that in the meantime I was getting into as small a compass as possible the information he desired.

I added that the liberation of the Nizam changed our position with respect to Sir W. Rumbold, and I should be glad to speak to him about it.

I reminded him of Lord Clare’s appointment, not yet approved by the King.

April 8.

Cabinet at 2.  The Committee on the Bank Charter to be taken out of
Huskisson’s hands.

The King was not well yesterday.  The Duke recollected Clare’s appointment, and thinks I shall have the warrant in a day or two.

April 9.

Wrote to Wrangham, begging him to send me the Cabinet box I desired the Cabinet messenger to take to my house yesterday.  I think it contained the papers relative to Russian projects against India.

I have been so unwell the last two days I have been unable to do any public business.

April 12.

Had some conversation with Hardinge.  He thinks the Duke will not remain in office above a year more, and that Peel will then be Minister, and that Peel looks forward to that now.  I said I feared he would be a very Radical Minister.