The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1880-02-20
Napoleon's American Dream.

The following deeply interesting
account, never before gwen to the
public, of tho escape of King Joseph
from France, and his voyage to
America, was communicated to the
author by Rudulph Maillard, of San
Rafael, Cal, the son of Louis Mail
lard. the devoted secretary and most
confidential friend of the ex-King:
A few hours before embarking on
the French brig which was to take
him to United States, Joseph sent
Mailiard to the Emperor, with let
ter urging again his brother to ex-
change places and make his escape
from France in Joseph's vessel. But
Napoleon replied verbally TO the
messenger: ''Tell my brother that
] have we'll considered his offer, and
that l cannot accept it. 1t would
seem like flying away from danger;
besides l could not leave behind me
so many brave officers, who have
sacrificed everything for me. Tell
my brother that [ hope he will
escape the cruisers of England and
arrive safely
Joseph on receiving this last an
swer sailed Immediately for America.
Had Napoleon accepted, he would
probably have reached New York
safely, as every precaution had been
taken to avoid detection. The ves-
sci selected was small, common
looking brig, the Commerce, of 200
tons, loaded with a cargo of Bor-
deaux wines for market. She was
a fast sailer and was strongly built,
and was commanded by Il skiIlful
captain, Messervey, Swede 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 pas
sengers on board had been so care
fully prepared 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,
and given the name Of the vessel, the
Captain could hardly contain him.
self, and called at once upon Louis
MaiIliard, who assured him that it
was true and presented him in all
formality to King Joseph. "But
why did you not tell me?' said he,
81 never would have betrayed him"
Mailliard had to explain to him that
it was thought best to conceal the
real names and positions of his pas
sengers for fear that he might have
shown some hesitation or less assur-
ancc when boarded by the English
officers. IL think you were right"
said the Captain; 81 would have
sunk my vessel rather than let them
come on board; you were right"
Joseph was much amused by his
demonstration OF Comparison, and
sent him Il very handsome present to
show that he had appreciated his
treatment on board.
LII lS WCtl huOWu LudU oOiliC ySdi .
prior to the final abdlcation of Napo-
icon, the contingency OF his being
forced to abandon France and seek
refuge in America sometimes pre-
sented itself to his mind. The late
Esquire Edward Robbins stated to
the author that Louis Mailliard re-
lated to him that once, when the
Emperor was speaking upon this
subject in the presence of Joseph and
some Of his officers, he unrolled a
map of the United States, and placing
his finger upon a spot in New
Jersey, said, in substance: .If | am
ever forced to fly to America, l shall
settle some where between Phlladel
phia and New York, where l can re-
ceive the earliest intelligence from
France by ships arriving at either
port" This idea probably governed
the Count in his location Wood
yards Bonapartes Park.