The New York herald., 1870-06-19
Death Of an American Prince-Jcrome Na-
poieon BOnnparte Retircs from the Scene.

Death Of an American Prince-Jcrome Ma
poieou Bonnparte Retircs from the Scene.
Another distinguished parsonage, whose
history has been stirring and even touching
romance of our time, has joined ''the immune
rable caravan" and passed away from earth.
Mr.. Jerome Napoleon Bonaparte, the son Of
Jerome, King of Westphalia, and, conse-
quently, the nephew Of the first Napoleon and
cousin Of Napoleon ILL.,, the reigning Emperor
of France, died on Friday at his residence in
Baltimore, in the sixty-ifth year of his age.
The circumstances surrounding his birth in
vested him throughout life with peculiar in
terest, which was heightened by his remark
able personal resemblance to the great impe-
rial head of the Napoleonic dynasty, and there
are few persons familiar with the history Of
the generation now in the vigor of life who
have not heard with some emotion of the mis-
fortunes ofsthe once beautiful and aspiring
American lady who united her fate to his
father in the first bright flush of her youthful
charms.
When Jerome Bonaparte, the elder, then in
command of the French armed brig L'Epervier,
escaped the vigilance Of the British cruisers,
who had hemmed in the French naval expedi-
ton that he had accompanied to St. Domingo,
and sought refuge in the port Of Norfolk, his
high connection, distinguished address and
amiable qualities made him welcome guest
at Baltimore and Washington. AT the capital
he was presented to President Jefferson and
received with great consideration. This
launched him into American society, and it
was not long ere the loveliness of the American
ladies, whose presence adorned the saloons of
the old regime in a day when stately cour-
tesy and courtly grace made them de-
lightful to people of refinement, no matter
whence they came, had captivated him.
The brilliant young officer laid his homage at
the feet of the beautiful Miss Elizabeth
Patterson, the charming daughter Of distin-
guished Baltimore merchant, and was gladly
accepted. The lady was well worthy of so
eminent an alliance, uniting, as she did,
the native dignity of free born race to all
the mental and personal attributes of SUI
perior organization, heightened by the most
refined culture and the winning graces Of
one of mutual affection, although, not unpar-
donably, the heart of the American girl beat
high with fond anticipations of a dazzling future.
But who has not heard the sad story Of her
disappointment her rejection by the imperial
family at home, her exile from France, her
forced separation from her husband, whom
she never saw but once again, and then only
to be passed coldly by as mere acquaintance,
and her long, long years of lonely and futile
anticipation while she reared her more than
orphaned son.
Jerome Napoleon Bonaparte, or Mr..
Patterson, as the proud mother of the
first Emperor required him to call himself,
while in France, was the fruit Of this unhappy
union-for unhappy it most surely was in the
lifelong torture which it inflicted upon at least
one of the parties. Educated with care, con-
scious of his high origin, endowed with emil
nent gifts of intellect and temperament and
wondrously resembling the great Napoleon, he
was a man of mark from the outset of his
career. Still, he was never officially recog-
nized by his imperial relatives in the rank
to which his birth really entitled
him, although received with kindness
at the French Court in successive
reigns. Nevertheless, he enjoyed in his own
right higher sovereignty than any that
sceptres can bestow, for he was by birth, in
character, by education and in opinion an
American citizen. His first attempt to render
valid his claims to imperial rank, just after the
death of his father, the ex-King of Westphalia,
in 1861, was his last. Happy in the affection
of an American wife, Miss Williams, of Mas
sachusetts, and residing in an elegant home at
Baltimore, which was the favorite resort of a
refined and distinguished circle, his life glided
pleasantly and peacefully by, while the storms
of fate swept away all the pomp and power Of
the elder family in France, who had sacrificed
the ties Of their early plighted faith to the
allurements of throne.
Madame Bonaparte shared with Josephine
the sympathies and the regard Cf all true hearts,
and it is to the eternal honor of his Holiness
Plus VII. that he refused to sanction the cruel
mandate that tore her husband from her
side. The present ruler of France also has
added an unfading laurel TO his imperial
wreath by the delicate recognition that he has
ever extended to the bereaved lady and to her
son, whose decease we this day record.
Her grandson, Jerome Napoleon, an American
officer by birth and training, now holds dis
tipguished rank in the Emperor's service, and
stands in line of succession which, in the
mysterious providence of God, may yet COM
pensate him for the disappointments that had
fallen to his fathers lot.
Mrs. Williams, the mother-in-law of the de-
ceased, who was fondly attached to him, died
few hours later, her departure having un-
doubtedly been fastened by fatigue and grief
but Mrs. Patterson, the mother of Prince
Jerome, survives in hale and vigorous health,