| Collection | Victorian Papers, Main Series |
| Description | The Queen returns the amended drafts, the alterations to which make the basis of England's objections much clearer, and counteract any insinuation that England is protesting just to make peace impossible and to aggravate the situation in Italy, although England is still open to such insinuation by the threatened protest before the peace is really signed at Zurich and communicated to England. However, the Queen does not object to the drafts going in their amended forms. The historical parallels Lord John cites are not entirely applicable, as it was the Emperor Napoleon who represented and fought for the cause of Italy, not the people of Tuscany and Modena, who would have had little chance of succeeding against Austria. The Emperor was therefore the contracting party for Italy in the peace: 'he may have cheated his Clients, but that does not concern us'. What is important for England is that any misfortunes which may arise in Italy as a result of the Emperor Napoleon's actions should not be attributed to meddling on the part of England. The Queen wishes this letter to be shown to Lord Palmerston, who has also written to her on the subject. |