Footnote 21: From an attempt to assassinate him.
Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria.
THE DON PACIFICO DEBATE
Chesham Place, 26th June 1850.
Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and has the honour to report that in the debate of last night Viscount Palmerston defended the whole Foreign Policy of the Government in a speech of four hours and three quarters.22 This speech was one of the most masterly ever delivered, going through the details of transactions in the various parts of the world, and appealing from time to time to great principles of justice and of freedom.
The cheering was frequent and enthusiastic. The debate was adjourned till Thursday, when it will probably close.
The expectation is that Ministers will have a majority, but on the amount of that majority must depend their future course.
Footnote 22: It lasted from dusk till dawn, and the Minister asked for a verdict on the question whether, "as the Roman in days of old held himself free from indignity when he could say, Civis Romanus sum, so also a British subject, in whatever land he may be, shall feel confident that the watchful eye and the strong arm of England will protect him against injustice and wrong." Peel, who made his last appearance in the House, voted against Palmerston.