The letters of Queen Victoria, vol. 1, 1837-1843

by Queen of Great Britain Victoria

I have the honour to be, Sir, with sincere respect, your Royal Highness's most faithful and humble Servant,

Robert Peel.

Footnote 7: Edward Drummond had been Private Secretary to Canning, Ripon, and Wellington, as well as to Peel, and was very popular; he was in his fifty-first year. He had just left his uncle's Bank at Charing Cross, when he was shot.

Sir Robert Peel to Queen Victoria.

MISTAKEN FOR SIR ROBERT PEEL

Whitehall, 21st January 1843.

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.