Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1861-03-17
DECISION OF THE BONAPARTE-
PATTERSON CASE.

ment a recognition Of their legitimacy have,
as stated on Saturday, resulted, as might have
been expected, in utter failure. The decision
OF the French courts declares to the world hat
the descendants Of the Ex-King OF Westphalia
and bis first wife are Legitimate. The vener-
able widow of Jerome B~onaparts, Mrs. Pat
terson, OF Baltimore, now over "a years Of
age, has visited Paris and Instituted legal pro-
csedings against the most powerful rsigniug
family Of Europe IN vain, despite the efforts Of
her advocate, Mr.. Berger, the most brilliant
lawyer France ever produced. Now In the 72d
year Of his age, he has for fifty years been the
acknowledged leader Of the French bar.
Speaking Of the decision Of the French court,
the New York Post says:
OF course this decision, which was purely
one Of expectancy, will in no way affect the
opinion Of the American people in regard to
the case. Both families Of the prineelY biga-
mist could not be recognized. II the decision
had been awarded in favor OF the American
branch, then the Princess Msthilde and the
Prince Napoleon, the son-in-laW Of the King
Of United italy, would have been Legitimate ;
aud when we consider the immense influence
Of the French Bonapartes, compared to that
OF the American, the result appears but Batu-
raj. Il may be added that the personal feel
ings OF the French children Of jerome were
quite as strongly enlisted in the case as the
baltimore Bonspartes, and they have undoubt-
eddy conscienti >uslY considered themselves as
fully entitled to a recognized legitimacy as
/ their American brother. The Emperor had
power to settle the matter, and some writers
blame him for not displaying an unparalleled
magnanimity in acknowledging the rights OF
the Pattersons; but what would have been
magnanimoss TO them would have been cruel to
Mathilde and Plon-PloR, for whom he proba-
bly, had some personal regard.
The whole affair is an instance Of irretrieY-
able wrong, no worse than frequently occurs
in more humble walks Of life, but rendered Pc
culiarly noticeable by the prominence Of the
actors and history will record this decision
Of the French courts as the unavoidable seal
ing Of a gigantic wrong, which diplomatic
and State reasons may palliate, but cannot
excuse.
The argument delivered in the Patterson
Bonaparte case will deservedly rank among
the best models OF the bar. There was little
occasion or opportunity for the display Of or
namental eloeuence or enthusiastic oratoTy.
The tribunal consisted Of Judges alone, and
there was, therefore, no popular representa-
ton of the weakness, prejudice and passion,
as well as The truth, justice and reasons Of the
people, such as a Jury affords for the display
OF both the high and the low arts Of advocacy.
We read the speech emily 10 translation, and
no language receives more de'riment from that
process than the French. We have no space
for extended examples in support Of our high
estimate OF this performance, but a short sam
pie will Illustrate the tenor Of the whole. He
began after the usual manner Of the French
practice BY stating bis Conclusions" some
what in the nature of a statement Of the gem
ersl propositions Of the cause, and then pro-
ceeded in a simple, yet grand and highly ef-
fective sxordium in the purest style Of art.
Transfer yourself TO a French court, and be-
hold the acknowledged leader Of the nations
bar, Of more than three score years and ten,
with flowing white locks, and with all the
highest honOrs OF the State, added to his pro-
fessional prestige, rise in the robe Of the adj
Vocate and proceed to bis statement Of the
case. From a sketch Of bis reply to M. Allon,
the opposite counsel, we copy the following
His adversary thought himself authorized
to look upon the marriage Of M. Jerome Ma
poleon Bonsparte with Miss Patterson as a
romantic legend, yet be could not deny that it
was 10 destroy this romantic legend that a
powerful emperor had employed the irregular
arms which bis absolute power furnished him
with. He could not again 60 over what had
been said on the other side touching the man
ners Of the country OF which Miss Patterson
was a native-the description OF those volup-
tuous climes-the enchanting banks Of the Pc
tomac-or the character of the population Of
the Southern States He would omit all dis.
play Of geographical science, which was only
for the purpose Of injuring the reputation Of
her for whom be appeared. The very age Of
Miss Patterson had been altered. She was
born on the 9th Of February, 17S5; she was
then, on her marriage, not p years Of age, as
has been said, but 10. This was important,
because the young lady bad been represented
as one born under a eorrupting climate, with
light and easy morals, end exposing herself to
every risk; and words bad been attributed to
her which could only be put in the mouth Of
the most abandoned.
"Yet," cried NJ. Berger, "my adversary has
been forced to deny, as it were, bis own words
and pay a striking homage to my client.
Madame Patterson, be admitted, had resigned
herself with dignity when the DAYS Of en-
ehantment had fed. She cherished the sacred
memory Of the past. Since she could not be
the wife Of Jerome B~onaparte, she weuld be
the wife Of no one; and when she regainsd her
freedom BY the American as well as the
French law, she remained alone and respect
ed, sharing her existence with her child. This
is what you have been forced to sdmit-this
young woman Of eighteen, abandoned at TWEEN
tY, remained all her life in virtuous selibacy;
she remained the object Of general respect,
and this is the person you had the courage to
outrage. Yet she bad suffered too long and
too much not to see herself exposed, in the
presence Of French Judges, to the most insult
ing imputations. Why is it that the beauty,
toe character, the morals and purity Of my
client nave thus been degraded by you? Is it
because it was absolutely necessary to estab-
lish that the marriage had not been contracted
in good faith?
NJ. Berger then proceeded to meet the infa-
NOUS insinuation that in America the marriage
was not considered serious, and demonstrated
that it was solemnized in the presence Of the
first families OF America, and witnessed bv the
representatives Of the most respectable foreign
courts; that it was in the Roman cathedral, BY
the bishop, in the presence Of the French con
sui, and that the act was inscribed in the pub
lie records; that the marriage was followed BY
cehabitati0n, and that Jerome had for three
years treated Madame Patterson as his legiti-
mate wifej that she was, at the time Of her
marriage, received as a new member Of tbs
imperial family, and the son sgaln treated as
the nephew and grandson, and that Cardinal
Fesch, the uncle Of Napoleon /, left him a leg
scy by bis last will. NJ. Allen had referred,
in support Of the right Of the head OF a reign
ing family to annul the clsndestine marriage Of
one Of its members, to a marriage said to have
taken place between ihe Duke Of Berry (fath-
ST Of the Count Of Chambord) during his emil
grafton in England, and the presence Of the
children ofthe issue, at the moment the prince
was dying from the wound b reeeived from the
dagger Of Jouvel, at the opera house.
When Berryer touched this point every one
could perceive the deep feeling under which
the orator labored. His voice, ever clear and
melodious, and audible even in it's lowest
tones, trsmbled with emotion. The duke OF
Berry, in the agony Of death, summoned his
two tllsgitimste daughters to bis side, and re-
commended than to the duchess, who knelt
weeping BY him. "You have reminded us,o
said the orator, raisiag his voice, and turning
to bis adversary, while the deepest silence pre-
vailed, 'fYpu have reminded us Of the noble
conduct Of the duchess Of Berry, who EN-
bfscsd the children Of her husbands youth,
and who said to them, Cyou yourself have re-
peated the woTds) come 10 me, nv children ;
here is my legitimate daughter embrace your
sister, Yes, when ! recall that scene, I can
not help thinking OF that last will and testa-
ment in which Prince Jerome forgot both wife
and child, and in which be bad not a single
word for either. You say that the duke Of
Berry married in England. It is false; there
was no marrisge.D
After showing that there was m foundation
whatever for the statement that the Duke Of
Berry bad married in England, be said:
'tMy opponent has not hesitated to tell you
that If the children who were toe iEsue Of this
niue-4toNo ot6n came lefe THIS DAY 10 ciAim
their rights as Legitimate ] should be in his
place 70 reject such pretsngioBs. Well, then,
| believe that | have the right to reply that
there ia no human being on earth, however
hign be may be placed, who would ever expect
from me such condeseension. No act Of nv
life could ever have exposed me 10 a reproack
Of this kindi and permit NE to tell you, that /
may unburden my heart and finish with the
unhappy resemblance you have attempted,
that il The Count Of Chambord himself had
ever psnned letters like sone Of those which
Prince Napoleon has written 10 bis brother,
be would not have dared to call to this bar any
one to support such a repudiaticn Of relation
ship.
OPENING OF THE FIRST ITALIAN
PARLIAMENT
Well may the ancient capital