October 21.

Received a long confused letter from Fitzgerald upon my project of a draft to Lord Heytesbury.  He was at Sudborn, [Footnote:  Seat of Lord Hertford, in Suffolk] where the Duke was.  The Duke was not so much inclined to think the Russians would make any considerable concessions as Aberdeen, but he thought, and had made Fitzgerald think, it would be premature to remonstrate.  I have written to Fitzgerald and told him my opinion more at length than I told Aberdeen yesterday.

October 23.

Cabinet room.  Read the despatches from Petersburg and Paris.  All the hints of the Emperor of Russia’s intention of not retaining his army in Turkey come through Paris, Nesselrode having on September 29 spoken thus specifically to the Duke de Mortemart, and merely talked about taking less money and making some change in the guarantees to Lord Heytesbury.  I did not see Aberdeen, who was engaged with the Spanish Minister.

I do not depart from my original idea that Russia does all this to gain time, and with as much perfidy as she has shown throughout.

Polignac would take a loyal view if he durst.

I cannot see the Duke till Monday, as he does not return to London till
Sunday evening.

I saw Hardinge and had a long talk with him about Batta, &c.

October 24.

Chairs at 11.

The Chairs say the Court have the matter entirely in their hands as to Batta.  They wish to have the opinion of the Cabinet, and to be governed by that.  I have written to the Duke to tell him so.

I am glad there is to be a Cabinet, because I think a Cabinet will take a more popular view of the question than the Duke, and, as I think, a juster view.  I am for standing firm.

The Duke’s letter on Persian affairs arrived while I was with the Chairs.  I read it to them.  The Duke suggests that McDonald should raise his escort in Persia—­an excellent idea.  He objects to Major Hart having an assignment of land.  He thinks Willock may be recalled.  The officers not; but if the prince will pay them, so much the better.  I think the Duke may be right as to the assignments of land.  Upon all the other points I entirely agree with him.  Read last night a letter of Lushington’s, or rather a minute, which shows he is determined to remain.

Cabinet room.  Cunningham came in and showed me a draft of Aberdeen’s to our Minister in Spain on the recognition by Spain of Don Miguel—­finding excuses for Spain, and saying we cannot do it.  What I saw was the brouillon which had been sent to the Duke.  It had his observations in pencil, and it seems Aberdeen sends all his proposed despatches to him and alters them at his suggestion.  Certainly Aberdeen, left to himself, would be a very incautious writer.

October 26.