The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1891-07-08
AMERICAN BONAPARTES.
THEIR AMBITION AND FAILURE TO
RULE FRANCE.

VSSe sVsSNNSss
Outlines OF q Well Known Romantic
Story Recalled % Memory-sow Betsy
Patterson Was Insulted by Napoleon
and Learned q Despiss Her Ceuntry.
The late Prince Napoleon was the son
of Jerome, the youngest brother Of Napo-
leon the Great. This fact brings nearer
to us that great series Of events beginning
with "a Whit Of grape shot" and ending
with Waterloo. His death, moreover,
has p culiarly vivid interest for Ameri-
cans, because it recalls the story Of the
first love of his father, Jerome, for
young American girl, Betsy Patterson, Of
Baltimore.
1t is a sad tale of romance, imperial
ambition, and diplomacy. Napoleon had
alreauy won undying fame in Italy when
his young brother, Jerome, was but IL
years Of age. He soon entered the French
navy, for it was his great brothers am
bition 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 bearing
Jerome into American waters. At Bslti.
more Jerome fell madly in love with and
married Elizabeth; the beautiful daughter
of William Patterson, rich merchant
and an Irishman by birth. Elizabeth, or
Betsy, as she was called, had consuming
ambition, and when friends opposed the
marriage she said: II would rather be
the wife of the brother of Napoleon fol-
one hour than the wife of any other mau
for life"
Napoleon was highly displeased with
this match, because he already saw him.
self on the throne and wished his brother
to marry only "blue bloods." Jerome
and his wife only learned of the establish
ment 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
succession for marrying against Ma
poleon's wishes. Nevertheless the young
couple, still hoping forgiveness and ad.
vancement, 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 message to the emperor which
tickled him immensely.
@Tell the emperor" she said, shat
Nine. Bonaparte demands her rights as a
member of the imperial family"
She proceeded to England, where a boy
was soon born to her and christened
Jerome Napoleon Bonaparte. Jerome.
the father, proceeded to Paris, little think.
ing that he would never see Betsy again,
save as stranger and with another wife
upon his arm.
Napoleon positively refused to recognize
the marriage, but promised Betsy an an.
nual pension of $4,000 provided she
would return to America and renouncc
the name of Bonsparte, which conditions
she accepted. Many times in later years
she returned to Europe and figured as the
center of sensations in foreign courts,
winning the homage, not only of her hus-
bands mother and other members of the
family, but also from the Duke of Well.
ington. Nine. de Stael. Byron, and even
the equity old Louis XVII, who tried to
have her appear at court; but as she still
received a pension from the exiled en-
peror she declined.
Her husband, Jerome, thus separated
from her, was compelled by his hrothey
to marry Catharine, the daughter Of the
king Of Wurtemberg. Soon after he was
nlade king Of Westphalia. He then sent
10 America for Betsy's child, @Bo"-al
abbreviation for Bonaparte. She refused
to give him up, and in reply to the offe,
of her husband Of q ducal crown, with
an income Of $4,000 a year, she sent
back the s.ornful message: "Westphalis
Is too small Tor two queens; besides, I al
ready receive $4,000 a year from the EN-
peror, and would rather be protected by
the wings Of the eagle than be dependen,
on the bill of q goose"
n She ever afterward spoke with con
tempt of her husband, although aBo'
frequently visited his fathers family IL
Europe, where he was treated as q Sol
sNd brother, his half sister, Princes!
NRthilde, being especially fond a him
s\erward "Bo" married q Baltimor
hSS\, causing his mother, Madame Betty
puN anger by doing 90. His cousin
Eaas\For Napoleon III, invited him t.
Fnsa \, where he was legitimized and re
oriw Is member Of the family. Hi
half SN \ther, the son Of Jerome by Cath
arine. ~, Nrreled with the emperor, ant
there ne Vat one time strong intention
TO make No" the heir presumptive, bu
ultimasel. NO" was declared ineligible
He dcclis \ duchy, refusing the condi
ton attach~Ss Y surrendering the name O
BoiaIarse. 6saN,e death Of King Jerome
in 1880. his AA's Ncan wife, Betsy Patter
con. contested ~ will. She was, how
ever, refused a a y of his property.
The letters sho~ y great contempt TO
her native land ~ wrote to her fsthe
from Florence in iSs w follows:
"A parent caE .sr wy ke q silk purs
Of . sow's ear. and y@S Mound that ~,
could not make sow's Sss " a silk purse
1t was impu~ihar b hsaS " Y talents AM
my ambition 10 the dA1n Nestiny Of
Baltimore hcasekeeyrs. Ne Vt was al
surd 10 sssempt it arm ASsNA arried tn
brother u IN enprsuR. I ~s\ not n
meannes II spirit 70 dssSes n I'm sucl
IN elevation 10 he dsJAs,kS ssQ ditso,
Of being The wife a n An9soNs.
Il often triea 10 rsswa aywk E tn
cuuvnle nexxmxv % cxmnsit suSa sx Me-,