The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1844-01-15
THE DIVORCE OF NAPOLEON

| work just published, Meneval's Souvenirs His,
| toriqnes OF Napoleon and Marie Louise, gives for
the hrst time, the reasons assigned for allowing the
divorce. The reader will remark the mockery OF
truth IN the last sentence, "tie rigorous exgencies
Of politics." Enigencies never wanting 10 ty-
| rants TO palliatc their brutaes The book saws.
"a Senatus Coneultum had declared the marriage
between Napoleon and the Empress Josephine 10 be
dissolved Alter some explanations, the official al
thorlties at Paris snnulled the religious bond The
clyi act OF tins hrst marriage contained OF
nullity which would have sulced to have authorized
its rupture but the idea Of taking advantage Of these
defects, which would have wounded the Emperors
dignity, did not even present itself 10 his mind The
two witnesses were NJ Cameiet, friend Of /, q
Beauharnais family, and Captain Lsmarois, General
Bonaparte's abide camp. The latter was a minor
born IN l776; he was scarcely twenty Years of age
| IN l796 the period Of the marriage The age of the
parties had not been accurately stated. The civil
act had been executed with irregularty which
might be excused by negligence which prevailed at
that period. The production of copies of register,
OF the birth Of he parties had not been required or
those documents were but specifically examined -
General Bonsparte was described as having been
born on me 5th o. February, l75s although he real
ly came into the world on the 18th of August 1863
This fact no doubt the foundation for the state
men' made by some biogiaphers, that Napoleon was
born before the union of Corsica with France Was
the enumeration Of this date the effect of forgetfu.
ness or careIessness on the part Of General Bona
|
himself eighteen months older to approach his age
10 that oil Madame de Beauharnais who on her
side, made step towards his The date of the 5,h
oil February not that Of the date of any of his bro
TIERS
| At the conclusion of The mournGul ceremony which
| dissolved the bonds, which, had Josephine borne
children, would have been durable as their lives
the ex-EmPress withdrew TO her apartment, and the
emperor returned to his study, silent and sad. He
threw HIMSELF on sofa in a state of complete pros
N. her J.el
reclining on his hand aud when he rose his features
were distorted. Orders had been previously given
to proceed to Tranon. When it was announced to
MN 'hat ms carriages were ready, he took his ha,
ana SAID, Meneval, come with me- | followed
him by the winding staircase which led from his
study TO the apartment of the Empress. That Prin-
cess was alone, and appeared TO be overwhelmed with
most painful reflections AT the noise ed by our
entrance she quickly raised and threw herself sub
bing on the Emperor's, neck, who held her to hi,
breast, and embraced her several times but, over
come by her emotions, she tainted. | fastened 10
ring for her assistance The Emperor, wishing TO
AVOID The renewal OF scene Of grief which it not
IN ms power 10 calm, placed the Empress in my arms
when he perceived her beginning to recover her
| senses, and, charging me not 10 leave her, he with
drew rapidly 10y the ing rooms Of the ground
hoor at the door OF which his carriage was waiting
for him. Josephine immediately perceived that the
Emperor had retired, and Der sobs and means in
| creased; Her female attendants, who had entered
The apartments, laid her a couch where thew care
fully attended her In her agony she seized my hands
anxously besougbt me to tell the Emperor not to for
get her, and TO him that her attachment would
| survive all contingencies. She made me promise to
send her news Of the Emperor from Trianon and 10
take that he should write to her IL was with
difficulty that she suffered TO leave her. as # my
absence was about to burst the last link by which she
held the Emperor ! quilted her, much affected a,
the sight of such uniegncd grief and such sincere
| attachment was profoundly grieyed during nv
journey, aud could not but deplore the rigorous ext
gencies OF politics, which violently burst ssunder
the links Of well tried affection in order TO impose
another union, which offered but an uncertain chance
Of happiness.