The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1886-12-09
Bordentown and the Bonapartes.
BY PROF. l.. c. BATENAN.

NAPOLEON BDNApARTE,
There s no phase of the history of the great
family Of Bonaparte but what will possess a
deep and absorbing interest to the human mind
for long ages to come. The sun that arose on
the little island of Corsica and encrcled the
firmancnt of nations with its dazzling splendor,
was destined to set amid the thundcrs and ear
mage Of the awful field of Waterloo. America
played no nimportant part in that great trag-
cdy. The enforced exile In this country of
Joseph Bonapartc, brother of the great Napo-
leon, who possessed Succcssivey the crowrS of
Naples and Spain, aroused the most intense
curiosity at the time, and will ever remain AS a
pleasant tradition of the Imperial Conqucrer.
by reason Of the renoWn of the Emperor, and
the part played by Joseph in the great drama
IN which millions Of men We're marshaed in
arms. thrones and sccpters hurled into ruins.
and kings created or destroyed by a single
breath, the deepest interest is attached to his
personal character and career. Especially true
is this of his long and municent residence
among our own people. Every little incident
calculated TO throw light upon the turbulent
times and scenes where he played so important
figure should be carefully scanned and cher
i~hed There is Il popular superstition that
Napoleon was the only extraordinary member
of the Bonaparte family. Nothing could be
farther from the truth. They were all gifted
by nature. and not one of them would have
proved a failure in the direction to which their
genius inclined. The participation of Joseph
in the affairs of Europe is simply oversha,l-
owed by the mighty deeds of his g.'eat brother.
In any other age his brilliant powers as
SOLDIER. STATESMAN AND 4 KING,
would have attracted universal attention. Even
as it is his name will long grace the nagcs of
history aS man distinguished for exalted pat
riotism, Il genial nature, and one who never
broke his faith with either friend or foe. Born
on the island of Corsica in 176S he received a
liberal education at college in Burgundy.
where he completed his studies with great dis
tmcton. When the mighty era of the French
Revolution daWncd, the entire family Of Bona
parte eagerly eSpou>ed the cause of the people
against the long tyranny of the Bolrbon kings
During the horrors Of 1893, Joseph. with the
greater portion Of the family, retired to the
city of MarsclleS where he occupied a high
military position. 1t was here in l194, that he
was married to the daughter of VI. Clari, one
of the richest capitalists of that wealthy citv
Afterwards member of the famous Council
of Five Hundred, at st. Cloud, he rendered
important service in placing Napoleon upon
the ladder of fame by which he reached such
dizzy heights. In the Council he was noted
for his cool nerve and excellent Judgment. On
one occasion when the Directory had made an
attack upon Napoleon, Joseph defended him
with >uch ability and eloquencc that his accll>-
crs We're confoundcd, and unanimous vote
was obtained in his favor. With the aid of his
younger brother, Lucicn he paved the way for
the return of Napoleon from Egypt. and the
mighty events which were to follow in such
startling rapidity. ! shall pass over the
events in JoSeph'S career for the next few
years. His elevation to the throne of Naples.
his subsequent abdieation aud acceptance of
the Spanish crown. are matters of history
familiar 10 every scholar. The crown Of Fer
dinand and Isabella never rested easily upon
his brow. The fatal battle Of Nittoria was
fought, and the reign Of Joseph Bonapartc rs
a monarch was forever ended. Events now
fastened towards rapid close. Joseph again
returned to Paris. The allied armies were
gradually tightening their coils around that
fatcd city. Then came
TIE ABDICATION OF NAPOLEON
at Fontainblcau, and his banishment to the isle
of Elba. Again for brief moment the sun Of
Napoleon shonc forth to dazzle and amaze the
world Escaping from his island prison he
again landed on the soil of France. His old
cheftains and soldiers tlocked to the standard
of their beloved commander. Joseph FASTENED
from Switzerland to lay his sword and life at
the feet Of his imperial brother. The battle of
Waterloo was fought on Belgium soil ana the
Napoleon dynasty went down like the wreck
of matter and the crash of worlds. Joseph
Immediately began his preparations for cscap-
inc to America. A small vessel named the
Commerce" was about to sail for New York.
ON this vessel Joseph engaged passage for HIM
self and suite in the disguise Of French travel
lers. A few hours before cmharking he sent
his private secretary, MailIard, to the Empe-
ror, with a letter urging his brother to exchange
places and make his escape from France in the
commerce" With the lofty nobility of char
acter which ever distinguished his actions. Ma
poieon replied; "Tcll my brother that | have
We'll considered his offer. and that cannot ac-
ccpt it. 1t would seem like flying away from
danger; besides could not leave behind ne 50
many brave officers, who have sacrificed every
thing for me. Tell my brother that | hope he
will escape the cruisers of England, and arrive
safely" Had Napoleon accepted this oiltr he
would undoubtedly have reached America, rs
every prccaution had been taken to avoid de-
lection. Joseph lost no more time but mme-
diatcly embarked and the vessel set sail Three
times during the voyage was the '.Commcrce''
stopped by English mcn-of-war and the pas
Sengers searched. SO skiIfuily had the pass
ports of Joscph been arranged that the secret
was not discovered Even the captain of the
vessel did not mistrust the distinguished char
acter of his passengers until reading an ac-
count Of it in the papers the morning after the
arrival Of his vessel
ON AMERICAN SOIL.
On reaching New York Joseph repaired at
once to the City Hotel. He found the house
crowded with guests. the last suite of rooms
l,,x.,