Relief Bill. The bishops have intimated that
they must unanimously oppose it.

Debate on Lord Clanricarde's motion on the eternal Terceira question. The
Duke spoke very well. The House was flat. The division with proxies 126 to
31, 4 to 1. We have now of Whig proxies Bedford, Lauderdale, Wilton,
Downshire, Belhaven, Meldrum, and Lord Jersey.

_March 24._

Cabinet dinner at Sir J. Murray's. Considered what course should be adopted
upon P. Thompson's motion for a committee to revise taxation. Peel still
hankers after the property tax, and rather unwillingly opposes this motion.
However, it will be done on the ground that the remission of such a
question to a committee would derange, by existing apprehensions and hopes,
the whole industry of the country. In fact it would likewise vest the
Government in the committee. Peel, Planta, and Holmes all think the
division will be close. I do not apprehend that, if the debate be well
conducted.

Had a long conversation with the Duke upon Indian matters. The
recollections of his youth are strong upon him, and he still clings to the
old forms.

_March 25._

Read some evidence before the Commons on the China trade.

Committee. Examined Mr. Elphinstone. He gave very good evidence.

House. A flat discussion on the Kentish petition.

_March 26._

We had two to one last night. The House not very full. It seemed by no
means the wish of the House to have a property tax; quite the contrary.

Mr. Elphinstone re-examined by Lord Lansdowne and others. He gave a very
good evidence, and quite knocked up colonisation.

_Monday, March 29, 1830._

Office at 2. Looked over regulations, &c., relative to the half-castes and
considered their question. Came to a decided opinion against their
admissibility to offices which can be held by natives.

When Lord Carlisle presented the petition I said very little, expressed
compassion for their situation, and a wish to relieve it in any manner
consistent with the conservation of our empire and the well-being of the
great body of the native population. I said what they asked was not
equality of rights, but privilege.

Lord King's resolutions on the Corn Laws. A dull debate which lasted till
nine--no division. The Duke did not speak well, and it was unnecessary for
him to speak at all.

_March 30._

Committee. Examined Mr. Chaplin, who gave a very good evidence. He is
decidedly against the employment of half-castes.

I told the