The Camden weekly journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1853-1861, 1860-07-31
Death Of Jerome Bomaparte.

! the last of the Bonapartes of the same gener;
/ ton as the great founder of the dynasty; an
though inferior to the other brothers in no.
J respects, none of theme excepting of cours
} his illustrious brotlcr-has been regarded wit
such interest by the people of his country. I
is to his American marriage and his disgrace
ful practical denial of it, that Jerome Benapart
owes his notoriety 1--WE know no better world
in the United States.
He was born at Ajaccio, Corsica, on tn
18th Of December, 1884, and consequent
was scvepty-six years old at the time of hi
death. In 1902, Napoleon ordered Jerome t.
proceed to the southern coast of this countr,
to cruise about for English vessels, France a
that time being at war with England. In tlli
enterprise the young naval commander appear
to have shown more discretion thar valor. fo
fearing to meet the enemy, heretired to thu
port of New York. The fame of his brother
ensured for him a warm reception, and he
travelled suuthward, mingling in the bes
society Of this city, and Philadelphia. In Bal,
timore Inc became acquainted with Mis-. Eliza
beth Patterson, the daughter Of a wealthy
merchant of that place. and after short court
ship was married to her on the oath of Decen:-
Der, Bishop Carroll officiating. The alliance
created considerable talk at the time. Young
Jerome, then but twenty years old, after re-
naming year in this country, decided to re-
turn to France and inform his brother
personally of the marriage. lie embarked
with his bride i'll an American ship for Lisbon
whence he hastcncd to Paris, leaving Madame
Bonapartc On the vessel
Of course Napoleon Lad heard of the alliance
was highly indignant, aad his reception Of his
young brother was anything but cordial. The
Emperor issued decree annuing the marri-
age, although the Pope, Plus VII, with con-
scicntious heroism, refused to allow divorce,
Notwithstanding the threats of the angry Ma
polcon. There is no reason to believe that
Jerome Bonapartc married Miss Pattcrson.from
other than motives of true affection and he
visited Paris expressly to win Napolcon's con-
sent TO the union, Which lie did not then think
of breaking, but unfortunately his affection
could rot withstand other influences, and the
Young man consented TO sacrifice his wife, and
the chill to which she had in the meanwhile
given birth in England, to tic ambition Of his
brother. THIS calldtl "immoating himself on
the alter Of Napoleon dynasty" Such was the
influence Napoleon exercised over the members
of his family, tllat at his demand the husband
deserted his bride and the father disowned his
Child. Jerome rc-cntered the navy, and Mad
ame Bonapartc returned to Baltimore. They
never met again.
Over a half c,ntury has passed since that
timo, and both parties have lived utterly cs-
stranged, Jerome pursuing the career marked |
ont for Him by Ills ambitious brother, and his
injured wife remaining in dignifed retirement
in, her native city. She lives there stif bSr
rounded by friends, her single hope s,,i%r, n
pose the iexsltatlos of Der son Ito : t ri,,I
= a1a hsr s53157oa Vic g'ddaFst frSs as u
Point, and is now an officer, in the French
army, has never been willing to disgrace hlm-
elf by inpcaclins the legality OF his grand
Mothers marriage, thong tempted in various
yays to an extent which no ordinary fortltudc
,ould resist. The father, on the other hand
never turned to look upon Ills injured wife
,ftcr descrting her, but, regardless OF every,
instinct of mortality and manliness, married
,gaia on the 10 Of August, 1907, the Princess
fredcrica Catherine, daughter of the present
King Of Wurtcmbcrg lie was soon after
proclaimed King OF Wcstplalia. He had, IN
;le meantime. done the State some service on
Inc sea, as Ambassador to Agcrs, and by
capturing some English merchantmen in the
West Indies, for which lie was made an. Adm
al and decorated with the Cross OF the Legion
,f Honor. He, however, disliked naval lite,
accession to the throne Of Wcstpha!ia, never
;cntnrcd to sea again. His government OF
he Kingdom, which comprised all the north,
,rn portion of the Prlssian dominons, and
embraced an area of nearly eight thousand
SQUARE miles, was mild and liberal, rather from
he easy GOOD nature Of the ruler than from
nv serious desire to increase the SUM OF haman
liberty.
AtWatcrloo jerome had the work of opeh-
mo- that great battle, and the disastrous result
,f the conflict sent him to live with his wlies
relations, in Wurtcmhcrg, but he soon left
them for Austria. The revolution OF 1913
brought him into notice again; for, though nc he
look no part in the corp Tetot ofls5l, family
pride induced Lonis Napoleon to invite llls
ruce to his Imperial Court, Since that time
Prince Jerome has lived at the Pals Royal.
The character of jerome Bonapartc presents
no features of grandeur. lie was the mere
tool of his great brother, and owes what little
SPACE lie may occupy in history wholly to accl-
dental circumstances, which did not improve to
any great advantage. lie was once those many;
persons in prominent positions who would
have been better and happier in some humble
station, and his name will 90 down to prosperl-
ty only as Il satellite of Napoleon Bonapare
Personally his manners were pleasant anu
affaLlc, and there are still living many OF our
old citizens who well remember his visit to
this country, and have met linn in society or
while travelling-New York Post.