The only talk we had was about Irish Poor, and Public Works in Ireland.  The feeling seemed against anything like Poor Laws, and against Public Works too.  This is mine.  The first productive of mischief, the second useless.

Undoubtedly it is a great hardship that the English parish should have the burden of Irish poor, but on the other hand in many cases the payers of poor’s rates in these parishes have derived advantage from Irish labour.

Fitzgerald, Peel, and Goulburn are to look into this subject, and all connected with Ireland.

Fitzgerald, Peel, Lord Rosslyn, and, I think, either Herries or Goulburn seemed to think the opposition to the continuance of the China monopoly would be much greater than we expected.  Fitzgerald seemed desirous the question of commerce should be reserved, and that of Government decided.  I told him the two were inseparably connected.

July 6.

Wrote to Lord W. Bentinck telling him I much regretted the having been obliged to send the two letters, relative to the removal of the Government, and the leases—­told him the Duke coincided in opinion with the Court.

I then expressed my surprise that the Local Government did not obey better.  Said they seemed to forget the orders of the Directors were the King’s orders transmitted through the channel of the Court and the Board.  I added I should endeavour to introduce into every branch of Indian Government the subordination and the improvements now established in the King’s service—­depended on his co-operation, &c.  I sent the letter to the Duke to ask him if I should send it.

July 7.

At quarter to six a messenger arrived from the Duke, to whom I sent yesterday my letter to Lord W. asking if I should send it?  The Duke desires to see the despatches to which it refers.  I have accordingly begged Jones to send them to him.  I shall however be in town early myself to-morrow.

I told the Duke in my note I should stay in town till late to-morrow to sign the letter as to the six regiments if they passed it.  I am glad to have an excuse for not going to Windsor to the Recorder’s Report.

July 8.

Office at 2.  Wilson absent, so I could not transact any military business.  Carried the letters relative to the leases and the six regiments to the Duke.  He said mine about the regiments was very good indeed.

The Emperor of Russia seems to have laid himself out most ably at Berlin to captivate the King, and the army, and the people.

Seymour’s despatches are useful.  He mentions small things, which show the character of men.

The Emperor does not disguise his desire of peace.  He wants no garanties materielles at the Bosphorus for safe passage.  He asks the principle of a pecuniary indemnity, but does not seem disposed to contest the details.  Bernstorff observed truly, we could not get out of the Greek Treaty without the help of Russia, and Russia wanted us to get out of the way.