There is an assertion that the troubles in Belgium have been fomented by French agency, although not assisted by the Government, and a direct reference is made to the Barrier Treaties.  France is requested to concert with us and the Allies to suppress the anarchy which exists in the Low Countries.  She is at the same time reminded that in no case can the Allies consent to renounce the security given to them by the Treaty of Paris in consequence of an insurrection amongst the lower orders at Brussels.  Of this a great deal will be left out.  Peel seemed to be rather averse to the whole tenor of the letter, which looks like an invitation to put down the insurrection by force.  He sketched in a few words a letter which would be innocuous.

The Duke’s object is to make an effort to induce France to act with us to settle the Belgian affairs amicably.  They cannot be settled without France, without a war.  But is there any hope that the French Government will venture to give us her appui?  If they be self-denying enough to renounce the hopes of annexing Belgium to France, their fears of the Jacobins will not allow them to do so.  My expectation is that they will say they neither have interfered nor will interfere to dissolve the union between Holland and Belgium.  That they will not interfere in the internal concerns of other States.

Some think they will go farther and declare they will not allow other Powers to do so.  I do not expect this.

Every word of this letter must be well weighed, for every discontented man in England and in France will criticise its words and its spirit.  There is no writer more unsafe than Aberdeen.

Rosslyn did not seem to like the letter at all, but he said little.  I whispered to Peel that I wished he would bring a letter to-morrow. Short.  It was at last agreed alterations should be made, and we are to meet at one to-morrow.

Peel takes the letter home, and will, I trust, cut it down.

The King Charles X. is in danger of being arrested, of which he naturally has a great horror, and he desires to be allowed to go to Holyrood House, where he would be safe.  At Lulworth they are afraid of the Due de Bordeaux being kidnapped.  The pretence is the getting masters from Edinburgh for the children.

It may be feared that the placing him in a royal residence may look or be represented as looking like recognition.  On the other hand his removal from the southern coast to Scotland is a renunciation of intrigues with France.

It would be inconvenient if the King should wish to go to Edinburgh next year.  Charles X. is to be told he cannot stay there after the spring.  However, he will probably live there all his life.

It would be a revolting sight to see a King imprisoned for debt, and all gentlemen, all men of feeling, would have cried out shame!

We are right in feeling, but in policy I am not sure.