His unswerving determination to be guided by the nation’s will as expressed by the nation’s chosen representatives, though nothing new in his career, won for him the absolute confidence of all Italians, not one of whom avowed it more frankly than Garibaldi himself.  But what shall be said of the popular hero, sprung from the ranks of the people, who had given a kingdom to his sovereign?  Rarely, if ever, has history recorded nobler conduct than that of the conqueror of Sicily and Naples when, having liberated those provinces, he laid down all power, refused all honors, turned away alike wealth and titles, to betake himself to his island home of Caprera, there to work with his own hands, to rejoice as he thought of how greatly he had advanced the independence of Italy, and to pray for the hour of its completion.  Whatever defects may be found in the character or judgment of this heroic patriot, his name will assuredly be held in grateful remembrance wherever men are found who love freedom and rejoice as they see its blessings spread more and more among the nations of the earth.  As Garibaldi retired to his quiet abode in Caprera, Victor Emmanuel returned to his duties in Turin.  But neither the one nor the other forgot Rome and Venice.

The siege of Gaeta was now being carried forward with great determination.  The place was defended with courage and endurance by Francis II and his Queen.  For a time the French fleet prevented the Italians from attacking Gaeta by sea, but when Napoleon withdrew his ships further resistance became hopeless.  On February 13, 1861, Gaeta surrendered after a defence of which those who took part in it had a right to be proud.  The garrison marched out with the honors of war, the officers retained their rank.  Francis and his wife embarked for Terracina, and went thence to Rome, where they were received by the Pope and lodged in the Quirinal palace.  The citadels of Messina and of Civitella del Tronto surrendered soon after, and so passed away forever the rule of the Neapolitan Bourbons over the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies.

No less than twenty-two million of Italians were now united under the sceptre of Victor Emmanuel, who, in accordance with the advice of his Prime Minister, Count Cavour, dissolved the Parliament.  The new election took place at the end of January, 1861.  The constitution as established in Sardinia was put in force from Turin to Palermo.  At the same time the King nominated, as suggested by his responsible advisers, sixty new Senators or Members of the Upper House.  They were selected chiefly among the most prominent and influential men of the Provinces of Central and Southern Italy.  The elections were everywhere favorable to the new order of things; namely, the formation of the single Kingdom of Italy under the constitutional rule of Victor Emmanuel.  The majority of the new Chamber gave a hearty support to Count Cavour.