July 16.
Loch showed me two letters of Sir J. Malcolm, in which he deprecates the sending of more writers, and says numbers may be diminished, but not salaries, especially in the higher ranks; and if writers are sent they must be provided for. I believe he is right. I had already suggested the non-appointment of writers this year, and the Chairs seemed to acquiesce— indeed, to have thought of it themselves.
Recorder's Report. Before the report Madame de Cayla, the Duchess D'Escars, &c., were presented to the King. I had some conversation with Rosslyn and Herries as to the Indian Question. Herries seemed to be afraid of the House of Commons. Rosslyn a little, too, of public opinion as to the opening of the China trade. They both seemed rather hostile to the continuance of the present system. I said I considered it to be a settled point that the patronage of India should be separated from the Government. The necessity of making that separation led to one great difficulty. The necessity of remitting home in goods 3,200,000£ led to another difficulty, and to making the Government of India, wherever it might be placed, mercantile. The East India Company would not, and could not, without the monopoly carry on the concern.
Neither Herries nor Rosslyn seemed to admit the necessary separation of the patronage of India from the Government.
I said that, if it might not be separated, it would be easy to make a better and a cheaper government. I can see that Peel, Fitzgerald, Herries, Rosslyn—perhaps Sir G. Murray—will be against the Company.
The Duke said it was clear to him that the remittances must be made in goods, and could not be made by bills. He is for the monopoly.
In a few days the papers will be printed. A copy will then be furnished to each member of the Government, and I shall receive their observations.
The Recorder's Report was a very heavy one. All the cases bad, and seven ordered for execution.
The King seemed very well.
Stratford Canning and Lord Strangford were at the Court, to be presented on their return.