The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1891-06-24
THE AMERICAN BoNAPARTES.
Outlines of a Well-knOwn Romantic Story
Recalled to Memory.

Recalled to Memory.
Prince Napoleon, who died only the
other day, was the son of Jerome the
younger brother of Napoleon the Great.
This fact brings nearer to us the great
series of events beginning with Whit
of grape shot" and ending with Wa
terloo. His death, moreover, has pc
culiarlv vivid interest for Americans.
because it recalls the story of the first
love of his father, Jerome for young
American girl, Betsy Patterson of Balti-
more.
1t is sad tale of romance, imperial
ambition, and diplomacy. Napoleon
had already won undying fame in
Italy. when his younger brother Jerome,
was but II years of age. He soon en-
tered the French navy, for it was his
great brothers ambition to make of
him fighter on the seas fit to cope
with Nelson. 1t was an English frigate
that destroyed this plan by driving the
French frigate Jerome into American
waters. At Baltimore Jerome fell
madly in love with and married Eliza
beth, the beautiful daughter of William
Patterson, a rich merchant, and an
Irishman by birth. Elizabeth of Betsy
as she was called, had consuming
ambition. and when friends opposed
the marriage she said: II would rather
be the wife of brother of Napoleon
for one hour than the wife of any other
man for life"
Napoleon was highly displeased with
this match, because he already saw
himself on the throne, and wished his
brother to marry only ''blue bloodS."
Jerome and his wife only learned of
the establishment of the empire when
about to sail from New York to beg
the forgiveness of the First Consul.
They learned, at the same time that
both Jerome and his brother, Lucien,
were debarred from the line of sue
cession for marrying against Napo-
Icons wishes. Nevertheless, the young
couple, still hoping forgiveness. and
advancement, sailed for Lisbon in
1905.
There Jerome was arrested and taken
to France, after fearful adieu and pro-
testations of everlasting fidelity to his
wife, who was not allowed to land.
She sent a message to the Emperor.
which tickled him immensely.
"Tell the Emperor" she said, that
Nine. Bonaparte demands her rights
as a member of the imperial family"
She proceeded to England. where
boy was soon born to her and christen-
ed Jerome Napoleon Bonaparte.
Jerome, the father, proceeded to Paris,
little thinking that he would never see
Betsy again, save as stranger, and
with another wife upon his arm.
Napoleon positively refused to rec
ognize the marriage, but promised
Betsy an annual pension of $12. 900.
providing she would return to America
and renounce the name of Bonaparte,
which conditions she accepted. Many
times in her later years she returned
to Europe and figured as the center of
sensations in foreign courts. winning
the homage, not only of her husbands
mother and other members of the fam
lily, but also from the Duke of Yelling
ton, Nine. de Stael, Byron, and even
the gouty old Louis XVII, who tried
to have her appear at court, but as she
still received pension from the exiled
Emperor she declined.
Her husband, Jerome, thus separated
from her, was compelled by his BROTH
er to marry Catharine, the daughter of
the King of Wurtemberg.
Soon after he was made. King of West
phalia. He then sent to America for
Betsy's child, "Bon-an abbreviation
of Bonaparte. She refused to give him
up, and in reply to the offer from her
husband of ducal crown, with an in
come of $40, 900 year, she sent back
the scornful message: ''Westphalia is
too small for two queens; besides.
already receive $4,000 year from
the Emperor, and 1 would rather be
protected by the wings of the eagle
than be dependent on the bill of a
goose"
She ever afterward spoke with con-
tempt of her husband, although ''Bo"
frequently visited his fathers family in
Europe, where he was treated as son
and a brother, his half-sister Princess
Mathilde being especially fond of him.
Afterward "Bo" married Baltimore
lady, causing his mother. Madame
Betsy, great anger by doing so. His
cousin, Emperor Napoleon Ill, in
vited him to France. where he was
legitimized and received as member
of the family. His half-brother, the
son of Jerome by Catharine, quarrelled
with the Emperor, and there was at
one time strong intention to make
"Bo'' the heir presumptiye, but ulti-
matelv ''Bo" was declared ineligible.
He declined duchy, refusing the con-
dition attached of surrendering the
name of Bonaparte. On the death of
King Jerome in 1860 his American
wife, Betsy Patterson, contested his
will. She was, however, refused
share of his property.
The letters show great contempt
for her native land. She wrote her
father from Florence in 1929 as fol-
lows:
"a parent cannot make a silk purse
of sow's ear. and you found that you
could not make a sow's ear of silk
purse. 1t was impossible to bend my
talents and my ambition to the OBJ
scure destiny of q Baltimore house
keeper, and it was absurd to attempt
it after l had married the brother of an
Emperor. / had not the meanness of
spirit to descend from such an eleva-
ton to the deplorablo condition of be-
ing the wife of an American.
Il often tried to reason myself into
the courage necessary to commit sui
eide when contemplated a long life
to be passed in a trading town, where
everything was disgusting to my tastes,
and where everything contrasted so
strongly with my wishes.
Il never could have degraded my
self by marriage with people who, aft
er had married prince became my
interiors.
The Americans themselves had
sense and good taste enough to feel
| that had risen above them, and have
always treated me with the respect and
| Difference due to superior.
''Whan l first heard that my son
could condescend to marry any one in
Baltimore nearly went mad.
II repeat that l would have starved,
died. rather than married any one in
| Baltimore.
In her old age Betsy's constant COM
panions were a carpet bag and a
red umbrella, the color of the Napo-
leonic dynasty. ''Bo" died in 1870.
His mother survived till 1879. dying at
the age of "a years, and leaving for
tune of 81, 500, 900 to Bo's two sons,
Jerome and Charles j. Bonaparte.
Charles j. married Miss Nellie Day
of Boston, who is a granddaughter OF
| Mr. .TamoS q nunn merchant nj