The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1886-12-02
Bordentown and the Bonapartes.

VI 1 DEAR MIX. III-SBI Ky l. herewith Trans
NIT to you three articles from my pen entitled,
"Bordentown and the Bonapartes." The ma
terials of which these letters are composed, as
well as the beautiful engravings which will
adorn their publication, have been obtained by
much hard work and at no small expense to
myself. | cannot but feel that these letters
will awaken a wide spread attention among
your readers-not from the style of their COM
position, but from the absorbing interest of
their subject matter. If this assumption should
prove correct, it will be but a slight recon-
pense for the many courteses that l have re-
ceived at your hands. For the past few years
during which / have been permitted to enjoy
your friendship and esteem, there has existed
between Us a wide and impossible chasm of
political antagonism. Frequently have been
impeled to send articles to your paper sharply
criticiSng the policy of your party. Those ar
tices, however singing in tone, have ever
found ready admission into the Journal, and
your editorial criticisms of them have been
marked by an entire absence of those personal
slurs and innuendoes which too often mar the
columns of party papers. The political differ
ences of the past will undoubtedly continue to
exist during the short time that must elapse
before / succeed in converting YOU to my
views. In the meantime, it will lie pleasure
for Us all to turn for few weeks from the
prejudiccs of party passion to the pleasant
paths of patriotism and peace. With these
few words of explanation l submit the letters
to your columns. and the tender criticisms of
an indulgent public.
| am truly and fraternaly yours,
L. c. BATEMAN.
Bordentown, y. j., Nov. 25th, 1886
The above letter refers to some literary
work upon which Prof. Bateman has been
engaged for some time past for the benefit Of
the readers of the journal. His recent article
on Daniel Webster embodied so much fresh
material that it was widely copied, and the ar
tice> from his pen on 'Bordentown and the
Bonapartes," to appear in the three succeeding
issues of the Journal, will be found no less in
teresting. The articles will be illustrated with
portraits of Napoleon, Joseph Bonaparte with
fac smile of his autograph and Prince
MuTat. These will not be the usual coarse
newspaper cuts but fine engrayings specially
made for the purpose by direction of the au-
thor.
Extracts from Prof. Batemans private let
tiers will, however, give the best idea of the
work he has undertaken, and 50 successfully
completed. Under date Nov. he writes:
"BordentoWn was, you know, the American
home of King Joseph Bonaparte,- -brother of
Napoleon land of Prince Murat son of the
gfcat Murat. | shall examine the ruins Of
King jo>cph'> mansion-the Bonaparte Park
interview old residents, and collect every fact.
incident and anccdote possible, at whatever
cost. have already seen and interviewed one
man who worked three Years for Prince Murat
on Iii, BordentOWn estate as head man. There
are several Old men in Bordentown who work.
ed for Hing Joseph. | shall see and interview
them all. Have already picked up lot of facts
regarding him and also Napoleon Ill, who
spent a year there. This will be the biggest
card the journal has ever had"
Under date Nov. Is the Professor writes: Il
am hard at work on my articles 1t is a per-
feet mine My letters will even throw new
light on the whole Bonaparte history and can
not fail to attract wide attention. The subject
is 50 vast and | find SO much material that
must make three articles.''
We have received the manuscript and the
first article will be published in the journal of
Dee. 9.