Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1891-11-20
AMERICAN BONAPARTES.
THEIR AMBITION AND FAILURE 70
RULE FRANCE.

Patterson Was Insulted by Napoleon
and Learned to Despise Her Country.
: 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 peculiarly vivid interest for Ameri-
cans, because it recalls the story OF the
first love Of his father, Jerome, for a
young American girl, Betsy Patterson, of
Baltimore.
It is sad tale of romance, imperial
ambition, and diplomacy. Napoleon had
already won undying fame in Italy when
his young brother, Jerome, was but 10
years of age. He soon entered the French
navy, for it was his great brothers am
bition to make Of him a fighter on the
seas fit to cope with Nelson. It was an
English frigate that destroyed this plan
by driving the French frigate bearing
Jerome into American waters. At Balti-
more Jerome fell madly in love with and
married Elizabeth, the beautiful daughter
of William Patterson, q 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 fo1
one hour than the wife Of any other man
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 bis brother
Lucien were declared from the line of
succession for marrying against Ma
POleon's wishes. Nevertheless the young
couple, still hoping forgiveness and adj
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, "that
Nine. Bonaparte demands her rights as
AASLuDc1 VI GilC
She proceeded to England, where 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 renounce
the name of BOnaparte, 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 a. court; but as she still
a pension from the exiled en-
peror she declined.
Her husband, Jerome, thus separated
from her, was compelled by his brother
to marry Catharine, the daughter of the
king of Wurtemberg. Soon after he was
made king of Westphalia. He then sent
70 America for Betsy's child, "Bo"-an
a6breviation for Bonaparte She refused |
20 give him up, and in reply to the offer
If her husband of a ducal crown, with |
IN income of $4,000 a year, she sent |
pack the scornful message: "Westphalia |
S too small for two queens; besides, al
'eady receive 81, 900 year from the en-
eror, and would rather be protected by
he wings of the eagle than be dependent |
N the bill of goose. |
She ever afterward spoke with con-
empt of her husband although "Bo"
frequently visited his fathers family in
europe, where he was treated as a son
nd brother, his half sister, Princess
fathilde, being especially fond of him.
Afterward "Bo" married a Baltimore
ady, causing his mother, Madame Betsy,
reat anger by doing so. His cousin,
Emperor Napoleon III, invited him to
rance, where he was legitimized and re-
6ved as member of the family. His
alf brother, the son of Jerome by Cath
fine, quarreied with the emperor, and
here was at one time a strong intention
make DO" the heir presumptive, but
lhmately "Bo" was declared Ineligible.
lie declined duchy, refusing the condi-
on attached of surrendering the name Of
onaparte. On the death of King Jerome.
1850, his American wife, Betsy Patter-
IN, contested his will She was, how. q
yer, refused share of his property.
The letters show great contempt for
or native land. She wrote to her father
ON Florence in 1929 as follows:
"A parent can not make a silk purse