This seems to be a manoeuvre like that of Lafitte when he refused to discount bills.  To stop the supply of coal is to throw all mills out of work, and every one out of employment.  The question is, Shall the masters resist?  If they do, there will be an early collision.  If they do not, they may defer it, but not long.  Concession was counselled six weeks ago, on the ground that, after the events in Belgium and in France, collision was dangerous; and this even by bold men.  It seems there are 3,000 infantry, 3 guns, and about 600 or 800 cavalry near Manchester.  Perhaps some howitzers may be sent, but more force there is not.  Peel at the Cabinet wrote a letter to Mr. Taylor, saying that under ordinary circumstances he should have counselled resistance or rather non-concession; but now it was a doubtful question whether a collision at Manchester would not lead to collision in many other places, and was our force sufficient?  He was desired to see Mr. Hulton, Sir E. Bouverie, and others, and to consider what could be done, particularly whether Volunteer Corps could be formed.  The delegates who went to Mr. Chappell seem to be amenable to the law and get-at-able.  This will be done.

The law officers came in and were asked as to the power of the Crown to permit the formation of Volunteer Corps.  They were desired to consider the point.  By the Act of 1794 there seems to be no doubt about it.

Hardinge is arrived.  He has been calling out O’Connell.  I am sorry for it, for O’Connell had declared he would not fight.  O’Connell had called him the Duke’s aide-de-camp.  So far it does good, that it lowers O’Connell still more, and destroys the value of anything he might say against Hardinge.

October 26.

Called on Hardinge.  He says the accounts from Manchester to-day are worse.  In the House Lord Hill showed me a letter (from Sir E. Bouverie, I think), giving a very alarming account—­30,000 out of work, and apprehension of early collision.

Parliament opened.  Took the oaths.  Office.  Lord Dalhousie was so ill on June 4 that I have no idea of his being now Commander-in-Chief in India.

Received a summons to a Cabinet at four precisely, and went to the Foreign Office; but nobody came.  I think it must have been summoned to meet at Peel’s house.  The times are so critical that I should be sorry to lose a Cabinet.  I could not find out that any summonses had been sent from the Foreign Office.  There was a crowd of people in Downing Street, who had, I dare say, followed the Duke from the House of Lords.  There were a good many about the House.  All quite quiet.

October 27.

Levee at two.  Addresses from the Church of Scotland, and the Lord Mayor and Corporation of Dublin.  Dr. Chalmers was with the Church of Scotland.  The Recorder of Dublin, Mr. Shaw, who is member for Dublin, made a speech before he read the address—­a thing quite unprecedented, and which might be very inconvenient.  The speech itself was innocent.  The levee by no means full.