The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1870-06-21
TIE AMERICAN BoNAPARTE.

Son of the Baltimore Belle who was
Sacrificed to the Ambition OF the
Great Napoleon.
Jerome Napoleon Bonaparte, eldest son Of
the Emperor Napoleon's younger brother.
Jerome, died on Friday last at Baltimore. This
event WIN probably bring to close one of the
most remarkable law suits Of the age; it Is
another important chapter in the strange ro-
nance of which that remarkable lady, Madame
Patterson, still remains the central figure. 1t
is a story which many of our readers will be
glad to recall.
Sixty-seven years ago Jerome Bonaparte,
the youngest brother of Napoleon, arrived In
New York. He had joined the French naval
service, and accompanied his brother-in-law,
General LeClerc, to San Domingo. While LIE
CIerc was fighting Toussaint LOuverture and
the yellow fever, the first of whom, 1t will be
remembered, he overcame by treachery, while
the other oVercame him by surprise, Lieuten-
ant Jerome was driven by the English navy to
take refuge in New York harbor. While bis
vessel was lying in the bay, watched by the
English cruisers, Jerome made tour of the
Eastern States as far South as Washington,
where he was presented to President Jefferson
In October, 1908. At Baltimore, he met Miss
Elizabeth Patterson, daughter OF wealthy
merchant of that city, young girl OF 49, Her
uncommon beauty attracted the attention OF
young Banaparte, and won what little heart
he possessed. The family position and con-
nectlons of Jerome Bouaparte fired the am
bilious heart Of Miss Patterson, and, few
days after their first meeting, she readily nc
cepted his offer TO make her at once Madame
Bonaparte and o member OF the civil family of
the Emperor. The betrothal was completed
after strange fashion Of the day alta grand
ball given by young Banaparte, at which Miss
Patterson was his partner. During the
dance he threw over her head q gold
chain to which was attached a miniature
likeness of himself, set in diamonds, and the
lady bore 1t of In triumph. Thus the engage
ment was made. Miss Patterson's father,
however, disapproved, and sent her away
to what was then known as the "Wllds
of Virginia. But as Bonaparte gave further
evidences Of his attachment by sending letters
to that secluded spot, her father relented and
brought her home. The Spanish envoy was
charged with the formal demand Of her hand,
the French Consul attested the contract, and
Bishop Carroll celebrated the marriage cere-
mony on Christmas Eve, 1903. Jerome Bona
parte remained in America for fully year,
visiting with his wife various parts OF the
country. When they we're ready to go to Eu-
rope, MI. Patterson fitted out the Erin, one OF
bis own vessels, and in the spring of 1905 they
embarked for Europe, and arrived safely at
Lisbon.
The happiness of Jerome and his bride was
here suddenly brought to an end by the infor-
nation that Napoleon I, who had advanced his
brother with the design Of making him useful
In some matrimonial alliance with European
royal family, was very much disgusted With
his marriage. He refused to recognize the
marriage, and forbade the admission of the
wife to French territory. The husband left her
at Lisbon, and repaired to Italy to see the EN-
peror It Is probable that the young Lleuten-
ant, still enamored of his beautiful wife, made
some efforts to obtain her recognition, but
they were probably not very strenuous, and
were certaiDly unavailing. He did not return
to his wife, but, yiel1ing to Napoleon's
orders, he married, August II, 1907, Frederica
Catherine, daughter of the King Of Wurtem.
berg, and as reward was made, six days alter,
King of Westphalia. His subsequent fate was
q fitting sequel to the story. He offended bis
brother by some neglect which disarranged
the Russian campaign ofl8l2, and was severe
ly reprimanded and practically dismissed the
service. Two years later he had to fly from
Paris, leaving his royal wife under arrest, and
was forced to retire TO Vienna, where he lived
as Prince de Montford. When the empire was
restored he returned TO Paris, and died there
in 1860.
Forbidden to enter France, Nine. Patterson
Bonaparte went to Holland but shortly after
July Z, 1905, Jerome Napoleon, the subject Of
the present sketch, was born. For years she
haunted Europe, finding no opportunity to OBJ
tain, but never falling on every occasion to as
sert, her rights and those Of her son. Once,
In the Pitt Palace at Florence, she encounter
ed Jerome and his new wife, but the contempt
ble fellow sneaked from the presence OF the
proud woman he had wr0nged, ana lmule-
diately left Florence.
Madame Bonaparte returned to the United
States with her son during his boyhood, and
he was reared at Baltimore. He entered Har-
ward College, and graduated from that institu-
tion in 1896 He studied for the bar, but never
practiced law. He was married in early life
to Miss Williams, daughter OF Benjamin Will
liams, originally Of Roxbury, Mass. whose
wife, by strange coincidence, died also yes
terdav During the reign OF Louis Philippe
Mr.. Bonaparte was permitted to sojourn for a
short time in Paris. Mr.. Bcnaparte acquired a
large fortune with his wife, and devoted him
self since his marriage to the management OF
a large estate.
On the re-establishment OF the empire, in
1852, the indefatigabe mother again put 1or-
ward her claims for recognition. Prince Ma
poleon and his sister Mathilde appeared as de-
PENDANTS in the suit. An imperial family coun-
Gil, claiming to be ''the only competent tribu-
nal," decided that while young Jerome Patter-
son, as Prince Napoleon insists ON styling him,
was entitled to the name of Bouaparte, he
could not be considered as one of the royal
family. He was permitted to visit France, be-
came very intimate with his father, who made
him handsome allowance, and was received
at the Court Of Louis Napoleon No rccogni-
ton of the mother was, however, obtained.
In 1850, the death Of Jerome gave his wife
an opportunity for again presenting her
claims, and, with Berryer as heradvocate, she
demanded, in the Imperial Court, her sons
share of his fathers property, and his rights.
The suit has never been decided, We believe.
In his features, the nephew, now just dead.
bore striking resemblance TO Napoleon l.:
He possessed the same shape of the head, and
perfect regularity Of features, bronze counte-
nance and dark eyes of the peculiar tint which
distinguished Napoleon I, whom he also close.
ly resembled in department. The deceased
leaves son, Jerome Napoleon, who gradua-
ted at West Point, and is now an officer in the
French army
Everybody in Havana is talking Of and
praising the message of President Grant upon