Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-04-09
A Remarkable Career.

There died at clearinghouse in Balti
ninety.four, lady whose career had been a
most singular and unhappy one. The ro-
nance commences in 1903, when Jerome
Bonaparte, youngest brother of Napoleon
the First, entered the port Of Baltimore in
command of a French frigate. His coming
of course, created great sensation in
society circles, and his acquaintance was
eagerly sought after. At that time Miss
Betsey Patterson, the beautiful and accom-
plished daughter of a wealthy ship-owner of
Baltimore, was eighteen years of age. Their
first meeting was a clear case of love at first
sight al had rather be the wife of jerome
Bonaparte for one hour" said the impetuous
Betsey, " than the wife of any other man for
life" The infatuation was mutual, and
they were married on the oath day of De
cember, 1903. Previous to the marriage
Mr.. Patterson had most bitterly opposed it,
and had even sent his daughter to Virginia
to separate them. But love laughed at lock-
smiths then as now, and the marriage was
consummated
The marriage was happy one until the
young Prince was about to set sail for home.
Then came the question, would Napoleon
sanction and recognize it ? Unfortunately
for all concerned, he most bitterly and vio-
lently repudiated it. al will receive Jer-
ONE if, leaving in America the young per-
son in question, he shall come hither to as
sociate himself to my fortune. Should he
bring her along with him, she shall not put
a foot on the territory of France. If he
comes alone shall recall the error of
moment and the fault of youth. Faithful
services and the conduct which he owes to
himself and to his name will regain him all
my kindness"
At the same time the youthful bridegroom
was informed that, so far as France was
concerned, his marriage had been annulled
by decree of the French Senate
Commander and Mrs. Jerome Bonaparte
nevertheless tried to sail for France. They
were unsuccessful. At length they en-
barked in ship bound for Cadiz, Spain,
and were wrecked on the coast of Delaware,
jerome and his young wife being saved with
difficulty. Not in the least daunted, they
finally, on the 18th of March, 1905, about
| fifteen months after their marriage, took
passage in the Erin, one of Mr.. Patterson's
packets, for Lisbon. After various vicissi.
tudes, they arrived at that city, found a
French man-of-war in waiting, and learned
| that its captain had been forbidden to re-
| ceive the young person to whom Jerome
had attached himself"
1t was critical hour in the lives of the
travellers They resolved to separate for a
time, Jerome to go to France aud appeal to
the mercy of the Emperor; his wife to pro.
coed to Amsterdam and await the result of
his mission. They never saw each other
again. The Erin proceeded to Holland, but
was not allowed to land her passenger,
French men-of-war again being in the way
She put back TO Dover, where the young
wife, about TO become a mother, disem
barked and went tc Camberwell, near Lon.
don. Here, on the 7th of July, 1906, her
son, jerome Napoleon Bonaparte, was born
Madame Bonaparte returned to America
where the greater part of her subsequent
life was spent in unsuccessful attempts al
recognition from the French government
She labored most indefatigably in thii
cause, but was rebuffed on every side. IL
spite of persistent efforts on her part, he
marriage was never recognized in France
The case was formally tried after the acces
sion of Napoleon III. but the judgmen
went against her. That sovereign, however
instructed his council of ministers to issu
decree that the Madame's son, Jerom,
Bonaparte, was "a legitimate child o
France whatever the words may mean.
Her husband was married two years afte
their separation to the Princess Frederic'
Catharina, of Wurtemburg.
The failure Of Madame Bonaparte did no
conduce to sweetness of temper. She be
came noted for her opinionativeness, avarioe
, atheism and general eccentrcity. OF lat
her pen has been busy. "The Memoirs o
Madame Bonaparte, Written by Herself,
will doubtless soon astonish world tina
will consider Greyille's Memoirs tame b
the side OF them.