The weekly Mississippian. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1859-1864, 1860-05-02
The American Bonaparte---1ntersstine
Developments.

The Paris correspondent of the London
Globe says:
Inc aeEentesth volume of Theirs Hstors,e
6S COns.tat e De 2 Empire was out on he
zod ult. Some delay in its publication had
occurred u consequence of documentary mat
serH contained IS to the perfect validity of Je-
t0me 6onaparte's marriage at Philadelphia
with Miss Patterson, marriage which could
not be aunulled, and which nevertheless was
found no bar to the marriage BY which Prince
jerome and the Princess Mathilde hold their
present rank. On due consultation at the
Failas Royal, it was deemed not advisable to
make any noise about the matter. so the book
Is at large.
The Paris correspondent of the London
Morning Star writes as follows:
A family council presided over by the En-
peroF, and comprising Prince jerome, Prince
Napoleon, the Princess Mathilde, and two of
the cabinet Minister'S is said to have been held
ct the Palias recently, to hold conference
concerning the proper steps to be adopted in
the affair of Jerome Patterson, which is begin
ging to give great annoyance to the Imperial
family. The publication of the particulars of
the first marriage of Prince jerome Bona
parts-at that time merely Lieut.. Bonaparte,
in the service of the French republic-with
Miss Patterson, an American subject, as de-
tailed in the last volume of Theirs History of
the Consulate and Empire has reused the in
genuity as well as the sense Of justice in the
bosom Of Jerome Patterson, and, upon read
ing the account, as given by Theirs, he i'm
mediately sent in his protestation, with a
copy Of the letter written by Plus VII on
the occasion of the second marriage, wherein
his holiness refuse to annul the first, there
existing, according to the Romish law. no rea-
son whatever for so doing The Emperor Ma
poleon then, taking advantage of the old I'm
perial privilege claimed by every royal and
imperial house in Europe of sanctioning or an
nulling marriage contracted by any of its
members by the will of the chief of the fami-
" alone, Immediately declared, in spite of the
Pope, that the marriage was void, and that his
brother jerome must forthwith marry the
Princess Charlotte OF WuTtemburg.
Now, jerome, who has been quietly enjoy
ing country life, with the wisdom and dgn-
ty of man little caring for the greatness
which he holds as the affliction of his family,
is suddenly awakened to the idea that it is the
sscond-not the tirst-marriage which is il
legal. Napoleon Bonapate, when he pro-
claimed his brothers divorce, had indeed be-
come emperor ofthe French nation-a mighty
conqueror, a powerful lawgiver, and ruler OF
many people-but not even in all this glory
and this greatness, however, much they
might lift him above his fellow men. could
change his birth one title, nor make him the
head Of his own family after all. Madame
Letitia Bonaparte, was still living, and so was
| Joseph Bonaparte, the eldest brother.
It was Madame Bonaparte's consent which
had been considered necessary in order to =
gaIize the first marriage. She had been con-
suited on that occasion, as she was, according
to French law, by the death of her husband
| the head of the family. This was, therefore
the act by which the Patterson marriage was
dissolved, without consent of the widowed
head of the imperial family. AS civil form.
atty, and in actual defiance, of the Popes de.
cree as religious necessity, it must naturally
be regarded as contrary to the Jurisprudence
| Of the country, and consequently of no effect
null and void-he who contracted it uncon
sciouSly guilty of bigamy, and the issue o
such marriage to stand second as recognized
children, not of right the heirs of the con
tractor.
The summons sent by the huissier to til,
publisher of the second edition of the volume
was of course complied with, the law for pub
fishers having lately been made more stringen
than ever on this point, and the consequence,
was the seizure of the whole edition before i
had left the printers Office, and the expung
ing Of the offensive letter of the Pope with Je
rome Patterson's protestation. Notice of pro
test was Immediately served upon the pub
Usher and his application to the minister re
suited in an address to the throne itself 70
advice in the dilemma.
Jerome Patterson's defense of his conduc
is most independent and noble. "For myself
l ask nothing. I am as proud Of my glorious
title of an American citizen, as should be o
that of Prince Imperial of France. Durins
Prince Jerome's lifetime, no measure shall b
adopted to restore those who are dependent OIL
my love to their rightful position, but thi
protestation is necessary for their security il
future years."
It has been decided that the volume mus
appear with the letter and the protest-an
other protest to come before the public by wa,
of answer, Immediately afterward The at
fair is looked upon as q great annoyance
nothing more and, were it not for the calm
si.v Es--re-~- h:--~e4e guide
his family affairs, much harm might be occa
stoned by it. The strictest secrecy is mean
while commanded to the journals, to all o
which it has been intimated en- mdsse that i
would beconsidered an offence Ia suppresio,
to speak of it for the present Meanwhile,
Theirs rubs his little hands and rejoices tina
the world will say: Who would have though
the old man had so much mischief in hin
yet?