Newbern weekly progress. [volume] (Newbern, N.C.) 1858-1863, 1860-04-24
THE AMERICAN BONAPARTES-DEV
NDIFTN11C

says:
The seventeenth volume of Thires' Historic
du COnsulat ct de l'Impire was out on the 23d
instant. Some delay in its publication had &C.
Cured in consequence of documentary matter it
contained as to the perfect validity of Jerome
Bonaparte's marriage at Philadelphia with Miss
Patterson, marriage which could not be annul-
ed, and which nevertheless, was found no bar to
the marriage by which Prince jerome and Prin-
cess Mathilde hold their present rank. On due
consultation at the Palais 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 Morn
ing Star writes follows:
A family council, presided over by the Empe
ror and comprising Prince Jerome Prince Napo-
leon. the Princess Mathilde and two of the Cab-
net Ministers, is said to have been held at the
Palais recently, to hold conference concering
the proper steps to be adopted in the affair Of Jc
rome Patterson, which is beginning 10 give great
annoyance to the Imperial family. The publica-
tion of the particulars of the first marriage OF
Prince Jerome Bonaparte-at that time merely
Lieutenant Bonaparte in the service of the French
Republic-with Miss Paterson, American sub
iect. as detailed in the last volume of Thiers
History Of the Consulate and Empire, has reused
the ingenuity we'll as the sense of justice in
the bosom Of jerome Patteson; and upon read
ing the account, given by Thiers, he lnlme-
dateiy sent in his protestaton, with copy of the
letter written by Plus Y II the occasion of the
second marriage, wherein his Holiness refuses to
annu the first, there existing, according to the
! w.
The Emperor Napoleon then, taking advantage of
the old Imperial privilege claimed by every royal
and imperial house i'll Europe. OF sanctonlng on
annulling a marriage contracted by any OF Its
members by the wil8 OF the chief OF the family
alone Immediately declared, in spite of the Pope
| that the marriage void, and that his brother
| jerome must forthwith marry the Princess Char
/ !otte of Wuttenlburg.
| Now. Jerome. who had been quietly enjoying a
country life with the wisdom and dignity OF a man
little caring for the greatness. which he beholds
as the at4cton of his family Is suddenly awaken
ed to the idea that it is the second-not the first
{-marriame which is illegal Napoleon B0naparte,
when he proclamed his brothers divorce, had in
/ deed become Emperor of the French natlon-a
mighty conqueTer, powerful l2"glVeF, ana Il
ruler of many pe0pie-bnt not even all TINS glory
and this greatness however much they might
lift him above his fallow-men, could change his
birth one title nor make him the head OF his own
family after all Madame Letitia Bonapate was
stin living. and so Joseph Bonaparte, the e1
dest brother.
IT was Madame Bonapartc's consent which had
been considered necessary i'll order to eG,ilze thS
first marriage. She had been consulted on ina
occasion as she was, according to French law, b5
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 TIN
widowed head Of the Imperial family. As a CIV
: f,rroalitv and in actual defiance OF the ropes &c
;; cree as 2 religious necessity, it must naturally b
REGARDED rs contrary to the jurisprudence OF tn
country and consequently OF no etfect--rull an
roi4-ha who contracted it ilncoilScious!y guilt,
:, Of hioamy aud the issue of such marriage to san
second as recognized children, not OF right tn
; heirs Of the contractors
g The summons sent by HE h'tssicr to the pub
! Usher of the second edition OF the volume was
j., course complied with, the Rlw for publisher haF
ino lately been made mere stringent than ever o.
II this point, and the consequence was the se1Hin.
# Of the whole edition before it had left the printer
Office and the ex@ungiar of the offensive !ette
nf the popa with Jerome Pattersons pfofcStatlo1
NJ Nofire Of nrotcs was inme lately served on In
$ pubIisher and lis aspiration to the minister re
suited in an address 20 the throne itself for adFlc
II in this dilemma.
Jerome Fattersons defence OF his conduct
= most independent ANA noble. . For myself
y seek nothing. | am as proud CT my glorious tlti
: of an American citizen, as should be OF that {
81 Prince Imperia Of France During Prince -Jc
III rome's lifetime measure shall be adopted
~ restore those who are dependent on my loV
TO their liehtful position, but this protestf
ton is necessary for their security III futui
re years.
/! It has been decided that the volume must II
near with the letter and the proest-flnothef Pre-
y, test to come before the public by WAY of answe
" i,naeaiatev afterwards. The affair is looked III
Ee ON as great annoyance, nothing more but 1t
G that and. were it not for the calmness Wit
q which the Emperor himself guides his family a
G. tairs much harm might be occasloned by 1T /
O. strctest secrecy IS meanwhile commanded 10 Ii
iournajs to all Of which 1t has been lntmated
o ,9ossc that it would be considered an oen'
II Ia suppression to speak of it at present Mea
IS while fhiers rubs his little hands, and reloie
that the world will say-Who would hay
ee hnuoht that the old man had so much mischief
III him yet
BIO A,oriI No