The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1848-04-13

were arranged to overshndow them, sacri-
ficing strong love to still stronger ambition,
with voice made firm by the very sirug-
gle with which he was agitatcd, in the iol.
lowing terms assigned to the world the rca-
sons for this cruel separation:
"I'he political interests Of my monarchy,
the wishes Of my people, which have con-
stantly guided my actions, require that |
should leave behind me, the heirs Of nv
love for my people, the throne on which
Providence Inns placed me. For many
years ] have lost all hopes Of having my
children BY nv beloved spouse, the empress
Josephine. That il Is which induces
me 10 sacrifice the sweetest affections of my
heart, 10 consider only the good Of my sub
jects, and desire the dissolution Of our mar
riage. Arrived At the nge Of forty wears,
! may indulge reasonable hope Of living
long enough to rear, in the spiri, of my
own thoughts and disposition, the children
with which il may please providence to
bless INC. God knows what such deter
mination has cost my heart; but there is no
sacrifice which 10 above my courage. when
il 10 proved To he for the interest Of France.
Far from having sny cnusc Of complaint, l
have nothing TO say but in praise Of the At.
tachment and tenderness Of my beloved
wife. She has embcllshed fifteen yenrs o.
my life; the remembrance Of them will be
forever engrsven on my heart. She was
crowned by my hnnd; she shall retain al
ways the rank and title Of Empress; but
above all, let her never doubt my feelings,
or regard me but % her best and dearest
friend"
Josephine with faltering voice, and
with her eyes sufioscd with tears, replied:
~ respond to oil the sentiments of the
Emperor in conserving 10 the dissolution Of
q marriage which hcnceforth is an obstacle
to the happiness Of France, by depriving il
Of tho blessing Of being governed bv the
descendants of that grcnt mnn, evidently
raised up by Providence to efIace the evils
Of q terrible revolution, and restore the nl-
ter, the throne, nnd social order. But his
marriage will in no respect change the sen
timents Of my heart; the Emperor will ever
find in me his best friend. know what
this act, commanded by policy and exalted
interest, has cost his heart; but we both
glory in the sacrifices which, we mike to
the good Of the country. | feel elcv sted
by giving the greatest proof of attachment
and devotion that was ever given upon
earth"
Such were the sentiments, rcplstc with
dignity md grandeur, which were uttered
in public; but Josephine returned from this
dreadful cfiort to her chamber Of tho darkest
woe, aud 80 violent and 81 protracted was
her anguish, that for six months she wns
nearly blinded with grief.
The next day after the public announce
ment to the imperial Council Of State, Of
the intended separation, the whole imperial
family were assembled in the grand SILICON
Of the TuilIcries, for the legal consumnm.
ton Of tho divorce. Il was tho 10th ii
Dec. 1910. Napoleon was there, in oil
bis robes of state, Yet carc- worn aud wretch
ed. With his arms folded across his breast,
he leaned ogninst pillar, % motionless NJ
= statue, uttcring not . word to any one,
and apparently inscnslble Of the tragedy
enacting around him, Of which he vas the
author and apparently the mosl pitiab!e
victim. The members Of tho Bonapartc
family, who were jealous Of the almost
boundless influence which Josephine had
cxcrted over their imperial brother were all
there, secretly rejoicing in her disgracc.
In the centre Of the apartment there was q
small table, and upon il . writing appara-
tus Of gold. An arm chair was placed be-
fore the table. A silence ~ Of death per.
vaded the room, and all eyes were fixed up.
on that chair and table, % though they
were the instruments Of dreadful cxecu-
ton. A side door opened, and Josephine
entered, supported by her daughter Hor-
tense, who, not possessing the forti.udc Of
her mother burst into tcars ns she entered
the apartment, and continued sobbing -
though her heart would break. All i,nn,c-
distcly arosc upon tho appearance Of Josc-
phinc. She wore simple dress Of white
muslin, unadorncd BY single ornament.
With that peculiar grace for which she was
ever distinguished, she moved slowly and
silently to the scat prepared for her. Lean
ing her elbows upon the table, and support.
ing her pallid brow with her hand, she
struggled 10 repress the anguish Of her soul
% she listened to the reading Of the act Of
separation. Tho voice Of the render was
interrupted only by the convulsive sobbings
Of Hortensc, who stood behind her mothers
chair. Eugene also stood beside his moth
er in that dreadful hour. pale and trembling
like an aspen leaf Josephine eat with
tears srickling down her checks in the mute
composure Of despair. At tho close Of this
psinful duty, Josephine for moment press
ed her handkerchief 10 her weeping eyes,
but instantly regaining her composure,
arose and with her voice Of ineffable sweet.