Delaware State journal and statesman. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1855-1870, 1861-02-19
REALITY GREATER THAN FICTION

Of speculation as to the object of the ladys visit,
particularly as it occurred directly after her
husDand's death. 1t seems now that Mrs. Pat
terson's appearance in France Is to assert aud
establish her rights as the wife Of jerome, and
those Of her children aud grandchildren as q
consequent upon such acknowledgment. The
case so often litigated one way or another before
the French courts is again before the proper
tribunal. NJ. Legrand, the counsel for Madame
Bonaparte, after detailing the history Of his
clients life, introduces the marriage certificate,
which reads as follows;-
BALTIMORE, Dec. "a, 1908.
With license, this day united in the holy
bonds of marriage, in conformity nth the rites
of the Holy Catholic Church, jerome Bonaparte,
brother of the First Consul Of France, with
Elizabeth Patterson, daughter Of William Pat
tersou, Esq, of the city of Baltimore, and of
Dorcas Spear his wife.
IT,, BIsHoP OF BALTIMORE"
This certificate was verified by the French
Vice-Consul, Henry Vernet
The subsequent efforts Of the Emperor Rapo-
leon to break up the marriage are then recount
ed. Napoleon wrote to Jerome in May, 1905
"Your union with Miss Patterson is null in
the eyes of religion and the law. Write TO Miss
Patterson to return to America. ! shall give
her pension of go DOOR. on condition that in no
case shall she bear my name, to which she has
Nv ibhNf by ANHsuh VI uon-tAioAShCb VI but
union. Inform her, of yourself, that you have
not been able, and that you cannot, change the
nature of things"
At the same time the Emperor addressed a
letter to his other brother, Lucien afterwards
Prince of CaninO), who, in his opinion, had
formed mesaiii0Hee by wedding Madam Jouber-
ton Lucien, more manly and honorable than
jerome, boldly replied;
LucIEN REBukEs NAPOLEON.
"You conclude by tracing out for Inc the line
OF conduct | ought to pursue-viz: to destroy
the contract which has united Us for the last
three years-to bring back to Paris my wife
changed into d coucubiue--tO separate my
daughters from their mother, who have found in
her their parent-to acknowledge my two chill
drcn illegitimate. And you call that a simple
proceeding! And you think that, after having
divided poor family, dishonored my wife, dis
inherited my children-that, after having de-
prived them Of their name and their position,
which is no longer mine but theirs-I should
find compensation for so much baseness in the
graces and fayors which you say would enable
my illegtimate children to live honored and
happy Sir, respect in you the organ of the
Emperor Know, however, that rather than
descend to such iniamy, would immediate my
son aud daughter with my own hand.
Moreover, | am again writing to His Majesty
excepting the sacrifice demanded of me, l am
ready to make all others that my be thought
useful to France. My dignities belong 10 the
Emperor. The choice Of the place Of my retreat
belongs to him. When he commands me to
change it | will obey without murmur; if ne
requires it shall quit Europe, but will not
quit my wife and children except with my life.
LUoIRE BoHAPARTE.
"PEsARo, May %, 1906"
Pope Plus VII, as is we'll known, refused to
promulgate bill declaring Jerome's marriage
null and void, and had the Prince possessed even
an ordinary degree Of manliness, his wife would
not now have been obliged to contest her claims
in court But Jerome fell in with the ambitious
schemes of his brother, and, in the hopes of
wedding Wurtemburg princess forsook his
American wife.
On the first of June, 1906, the Archbishop Of
Parish issued q decree annulling Jerome's mar
riage-a decree which the memoir terms ga
melancholy monument Of the vices engendered
by the servile weakness and the guilty conde-
soenson of ecclesiastical authorities to the exac-
tions Of the government"
jerome, when King of Westphalia, offered his
first wife residence and revenue, with the title |
of Princess of SmRoalden, If she would come to
Germany but this offer was refused, and Madame |
Bonuparte obtained divorce in the State Of |
Maryland. In 1919 she visited Europe, and her |
son, the young jerome, was received with every
attention by bis Bonaparte relatives in France
and Italy
The counsel in the coming case have embodied |
in their memoir large number OF letters, in
tended to prove that the Bonapartes recognised
young jerome as one of their family. The fol-
lowing one is interesting;-
MADAME LErITIA BoNAPARrE TO JEROME II.
November TO- 1929.
My Dear Grandsca-I have heard with plea
sure of your marriage, as the person you have
chosen possesses all the advantages one could
desire. earnestly pray that you may be happy
in the union you contract, and il my blessing can
contribute to it it will be complete and lasting,
beg Of you to present my atfeetionate wishes
to your betrothed, though 1 have not the plea
sure Of knowing her. Your father is still in the
country; he will not return before the 15th.-
lie ii we'll, as also your brother and your sister
(tho present Prince Napoleon and Princess Ma
thilde.) embrace you tenderly. Your affec-
tionate mother. MADAME.
When Prince Louis Napoleon went to America
after the 'atfair'' Of strasburg, NJ Jerome BOn-
oparie offered him his house as q residence
The Prince (ihe present Emperor) replied:
NJ Dedr COusm-In n month ! begin my
journey to the interior. The first thing mean
to do is TO pay you visit. I remember with
pleas ure the time We passed together at Rome
and Florence.
FAREWELL my dear cousin receive the assur-
anee of my friendship.
NAPoLEoa LOUIS DoNAPArTE.
THE PRESENT EMPEROR TO JEROME.
On the 2lst of January, 1853, NJ BOnapartO
congratulated bis cousin on his becoming En-
peror, "On the foundation Of his success-namely,
the will of the people as expressed by universal
suffrage" The Emperor replied:
''Aly Cousin; Notwithstanding the distance,
aud very long separation, l have never doubted |
the heartfelt interest with which you have fol-
lowed all the chances of my destiny. | have felt |
great pleasure in the letter which brings me |
your congratulations. | thank you for them
The news you give me Of the vocation Of your
son for the military career, and of his entering
a regiment of Carabineers, has not been less
agreeable to me. When circumstances permit
shall be, believe me, most happy TO see you
Wheieupon my cousin, | pray God to have you
10 Ills holy keeping.
written at the Palace Of the Tuilcries, Feb
ruary Q, 1858. NAPOLEON.
On The 18th Of April, 1866, Mr.. Jerome Bon
apnrte was offered through NJ. Fould the title Of
Duke de Sartiene Ia town in Corsiea) and invited
to come to France. But this offer was declined.
The later facts connected with the case we give
as they are related by the "Times" correspond
ent
"Prince Napoleon and his sister, the Princess
Mathilde, then demanded of the Emperor and
the Coigsa de FdmiNie, that "M.M. Patterson
(Mr. J,rume Bonaparte and his SOM should not
exercise any Of the rights which belong exelu-
siyely to the legitimate issue, and that conse-
quenty NJ. Jerome Patterson and his descend
ants should be prohibited from bearing the name
Of Bonaparte." The Conseils de FamiAie decided
in favor of their bearing the name Of Bonaparte,
but decided Wegaily, as the memoir maintains,
that they should not have the right to avail them
selves OF the benefit Of the 2Ol aud 2O2i articles
Of the Code Napoleon relating TO succession.-
Abbtucc Fould, Tropopg, De Morny. Baroche
and Orrano. The point is argued atsome length
in the memoir.