The Sun. — 1831-12-21 (London, England)

POLICY.  TRIBUNAL OF FIRST INSTANCE.  SUIT FOR ANNULLI24 G THE WILL OF THE DUKE OF BOURBON. THE PRINCE 9 DE ROHAN, V. THE DUKE D'AUMALE AND  THE BARONESS DE FELICHERES. Presidency of M. de Belleyme.—Hearings of the 9th and 16th of December. Amidst the political excitement which followed the three great days, public attention was directed with a lively interest to the tragical death of the Duke of Bourbon, whose name had just before appeared in the Constitutionnel attached to a donation for the heroes of July. A solemn investigation into the circumstances of the death took place, the result of whieh was made known at the time. It was also then announced that a civil process was instituted by the Princes de Bohan against the Duke d'Aumale, the King's son, and the Baroness de Feucheres, to set aside, on the ' ground of deception and instigation, the holograph will by which the Duke of Bourbon constituted the Duke d'Aumale his universal legatee, and bet gileathed a very considerable legacy to the Baroness de Feucheres. The pleadings commenced on the 9th inst., before the First Chamber of the Tribunal, and were adjourned to the 16th. In consequence of the interest felt in the case, the Court was excessively crowded. We here give a complete abstract of M. Hennequin's opening, which was not concluded until the second day. Hennequin—The Duke de Bourbon, after the catastrophe of Vincennes had only exchanged the misfortunes of exile for the troubles which his immense fortune soon brought upon him in his own country: he died; his last moments were involved in mystery, and the most odious suspicions followed him to the grave. Be his manes appeased ! Relationship, friendship, have provided avengers, and light begins to exhibit the real nature of the event of St. Leu. It is no longer believed that a Conde resolved to close the glorious history of his house by the horrors of an ignominious suicide; and I say with confidence that one of the greatest names of our history will be purified from this degrading ac cusation. Another duty remains to be fulfilled. It is now no longer doubted that the Prince had manifested the strongest repugnance to the idea of choosing the inheritor of his name and patrimony from that branch of his family which marched wider other colours than his; that other demands were indignantly resisted, and that his resistance greatly surpassed what might have been expected from his age, and the inexplicable subjugation in which he had long lived. It is known that in submitting to the law of a domineering will, he only sought to obtain by the sacrifice of his sentiments and personal inclinations some repose for his latter days, and that it would be in vain to look into what is called his last will for that liberty and independence, which, according to Aguessau, ought to superabound in testamentary acts. The only question, then, which circumstances now become notorious leave to be solved, is, whether the rights of blood should by the silence of the heirs be immolated in favour of a document obtained by the grossest circumvention, and therefore void. The Princes of Rohan have not thought that they ought to follow such a course ; and after fulfilling the duties which a noble alliance imposed on them, they come here to exercise the rights which belong to that relationship. Issue, in 1757 (quere 1756), of the marriage of Lcuis Joseph de Bourbon and Charlotte Godefride Elizabeth de Rohan-Soubisse, the Prince whom an event so tragical lately precipitated to the tomb, was at all periods of his life remarked for his attachment to the ancient constitution of the kingdom. In 1787, he signed the memorial addressed by the Princes to Louis