Volume I Part 114 (1/2)
Sir Robert Peel begs leave to mention to your Majesty a fact _which has not hitherto transpired_--and of which he was not aware until he had an interview this morning with Sir James Graham.
On the Inspector Tierney going into the cell of MacNaghten this morning, he said to MacNaghten: ”I suppose you are aware who is the person whom you have shot?”
He (MacNaghten) said: ”Yes--Sir Robert Peel.”
From this it would appear that he had mistaken Mr Drummond for Sir Robert Peel.
The Magistrate thought it better not to have this evidence at present placed on record.
[Pageheading: DEATH OF MR DRUMMOND]
_Sir Robert Peel to Queen Victoria._
WHITEHALL, _25th January 1843._
Sir Robert Peel presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and has the very painful duty to report to your Majesty the fatal consequences of the attack on Mr Drummond.
He breathed his last this morning about half-past ten o'clock.
A very unfavourable change took place last night, and no hopes were entertained after seven o'clock in the evening.
This sad event has had such an effect on Lady Peel, and all the circ.u.mstances attending it are so distressing to Sir Robert Peel, that relying upon your Majesty's great kindness, he ventures to express a hope that your Majesty will have the goodness to permit Sir Robert and Lady Peel to remain for the present in London, or should your Majesty desire to see Sir Robert Peel before Wednesday next, to allow him to wait upon your Majesty in the morning of any day which your Majesty may be pleased to name.
He need scarcely a.s.sure your Majesty that nothing but such a sad event as that which has occurred would induce him to prefer this request to your Majesty.
Sir Robert Peel encloses such further information as has reached him respecting MacNaghten.
He does not hesitate to send to your Majesty every word of information of the least importance which he receives....
The evidence of his mental delusion is strong, but it must be borne in mind that he was exactly the instrument which others would employ.
Sir Robert Peel has no reason for surmising this to be the case, but the possibility of it ought not and shall not be overlooked.
[Pageheading: DEMEANOUR OF MACNAGHTEN]
_Sir Robert Peel to Queen Victoria._
WHITEHALL, _25th January 1843._
Sir Robert Peel presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and makes no apology for frequently writing to your Majesty on the painful subject in respect to which your Majesty has manifested so deep an interest.
Sir Robert Peel humbly thinks that your Majesty's observations with respect to the clear distinctions in the cases of insanity are most just. It will be most unfortunate indeed if the Law does not attach its severest penalty to a crime so premeditated and so deliberately and savagely perpetrated, as that of MacNaghten.