Peel summoned a Cabinet at half-past ten.  We met and talked of very little but in what dress we should go to the Council, which was to be at twelve.  It was agreed we should go in black, shoes and stockings, but not full dress.  However, after I left the room the Duke arrived, and said the King [Footnote:  The Duke of Clarence now became William IV] intended to appear in uniform, so the Duke, Lord Bathurst, Rosslyn, and Sir J. Murray, who were there, put on their uniforms.  The group at the Council was most motley.  Lords Grey, Lansdowne, Spencer, Tankerville, Sir J. Warrender, and some others being in black full dress.  Lord Camden and some more in uniform, which several sent for after they arrived, as Salisbury and Hardinge.  The mass, however, in plain black, some in colours.  The Royal Dukes came in full dress.

We waited a long time before the Council, almost two hours, a time occupied in audiences.

The Duke of Cumberland got the King to send for Lord Eldon, who went in for a minute only.  The Duke of Cumberland received his gold stick, and seemed very active.  The Duke of Wellington, Lord Bathurst, Rosslyn, the Chancellor, and Sir R. Peel went in together, and personally acquainted the King with the late King’s death.  The King said he might not have an opportunity of seeing that day the rest of his late Majesty’s confidential servants; but he told those present that all had his confidence, and that they would receive his entire, cordial, and determined support.  He told the Chancellor in a private audience not only the same thing, but that if at any time he should hear reports of his ceasing to place confidence in his Government, they were not to be believed.  If he had any fault to find he would at once tell them.

When the Duke and the others came out from the King we all went to the ball-room, where we began to sign the proclamation, and a few, the Royal Dukes and others, had signed, when we were called to the Privy Council Room, where the King soon arrived, attended by the household of the late King.  He took his seat, and read his declaration.  He read it with much feeling, and it was well imagined, and will have a good effect.  The Lord President entreated it might be printed.

I should have mentioned that before the King came in the Council made the usual orders, with the addition of an order for defacing the late King’s stamps, which was accordingly done by the clerk of the Council.

When the declaration had been read the King took the Scotch oath in the usual form, the Lord-President reading it to him, and the King holding up his right hand.

He then said it was a satisfaction to him to find such a Privy Council, and requested them all to take the oath.

This the Royal Dukes did first, then the Speaker, that he might go to the House of Commons.  Then the Archbishop and the Chancellor together, then the Dukes, with the Lord President and Privy Seal, then the Marquises, then others according to their rank.  When all had taken the Privy Councillor’s oath the Lord Chancellor took his, and the Clerk of the Council was sworn by the Lord President.  The King then retired, and the Council ordered as usual respecting the disposal of the late King’s body.