San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1880-02-07
NAPOLEON'S AMERICAN
DREAM.

How Joseph IBonnpnrte Fled
And his Brother Stayed.
From wood,eard's: "Bonaparts's Parh" ,Ju'
Pu0ifsAsd.
The following very interesting &C
count, never before given to the public
Of the escape Of King Joseph from
France and his voyage to America
was communicated to the author by
Adolph Mailliard, Of San Rafael, Cal
the son of Louis Maitland, the devot
cd secretary and confidential friend Of
the ex. King.
"A few hours before embarking on
the French brig which was to take
him to the United States, Joseph sent
Maitland to the Emperor. with let.
ter urging again his brother to cx-
change places and make his escape
from France in Joseph's vessel. But
Napoleon replied verbally to the mes
senger: TELL my brother that have
we'll considered his offer and that l can.
not accept it. 1t would seem like flying
away from danger; besides, could not
leave behind me so many brave officers
who haye sacrificed everyth ing for me.
Tell my brother that l hope he will
escape the cruisers Of England and Or
rive safely
Joseph on receiving this last IN.
swer sailed Immediately for America,
Had Napoleon accepted he would
probably have reached New York safe.
ly, US every precaution had been taken
to avoid detection. The vessel selected
was small common looking brig, the
Commerce. Of 200 tons, loaded with
p cargo Of Bordeaux wines for mar.
ket. She was fast sailer and was
strongly built and was commanded
by q skillful captain Messervey. a
Swcde by birth. Although three times
on the high seas the brig was stopped
and searched by English frigates which
were on the lookout for Napoleon, the
{ Passports and papers of the passengers
on board had been SO carefully prepar-
ed under fictitious names that they
were not discovered. The captain of
the brig did not even know who they
were until few days after Joseph
had landed in New York.
"The newspapers having published
an account of his successful escape,
snd given the name of the vessel, the
poor captain could hardly contain him.
self and called at once upon Louis
Maitland who assured him that it was
true and presented him in all formal.
ty to King joseph. But why did you
not tell me p said he. I new
would have betrayed him. Mailiard
had to explain that it was thought
best to conceal the real names and
positions of his passengers, for fear
that he might have shown some hest
tation or less assurance when board.
ed by the English officers. 4 think
you we're right u said the captain; 4
would have sunk my vessel rather
than let them come on board; you
were right / Joseph was much anus.
ed BY his Representation of Bonapsrte
ism and sent him very handsome
present to show that he had appre-
ciated his treatment on board"
1t is well known that some wears
prior to the final abdication Of Napo
leon the contingency of his being for
ccd TO abandon France and seek re
fuge in America sometimes presented
itself to his mind. The late Esquire
Edward Robbins stated to the author
that Louis Mailliard related to him
that once. when the Emperor. was
speaking upon this subject in presence
Of Joseph aud some of his officers. he
pnrolled map Of the United States.
and placing his finger upon a spot in
New Jersey. said. in substance: iii
am ever forced TO hy TO America. I.
shall settle somewhere between Phila.
delphia aud New York. where can
receive the earliest intelligence from
France BY ships striving at either port"
This ide, probably governed joseph