New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-01-03
EOi1L RELICS.
A REMINISCENT OF JOSEPH BOyAPARTT's RESI-
DENCE N AMERICA.

DENCE IN AMERICA.
| The death of the old scotch gardener a Joseph
| Bonaparie at BOriontown the other day serves 10
recall the imperial glprcs Of the Bonaparte residence
on the out,klrt, Of that little city. The place now
1, divided mp into smaller tracts for the purposes OF
an Of progress and business. but hardly more than
twenty years ago IT rcnlete with the memories
and prculaI1tss Of It's royal founder. II in 1873
that Joseph Bonnparte arrived here fugitive from
the allied Powers Of Europe. lie came the Count
de surylllicr6, and WIS accom- panied by Prince
Lucion Mura VI. MnlaId, who acted his secretary
and or two other gentlemen of his regal staff
lie then dominated with the idea that there
place 20 De- safe for him. lie expected
ut any time that allied men-of war might all up the
lIud -on the Delaware and seize him. lie was es
-entally timd. and he declined any but the most
modest receptions rendered him BY New York City
which FELT fuly the honor Of royal presence In her
precincts II was guided hy this tmidty largely
that be- made for himself this home AZ B)Itentown
The tract Of land De bought there contained 100
acres. ard he hid 4 ont in parks ranbies. rustic
bridge, lakes. drives GrIvellod walks. thcky foiaged
nrnor-. CASCADES turning miniature wafer
wheels. He emhci'hcd II also with ,taiuary. but
the strange, part 0f the park consisted In his de-
vices for safety f7m the always possible coming
oi his allied foes. lie built high tower
on ono Of his highest knobs. in the midst of dc thick
est foliage. and from the upper niche Of this tower
he Wa, wont daily TO the sivery sweep Of the
Delaware for many miles toward the sea, and the
highways running to Eordontown. To Trenton and
northWafd toward Sew York City for any appearance
either of man war a messenger who might con
yey the tdlngs that he daily feared. But his great
| est precautions consisted Of an elaborate series Of
secret underground passages through his park the
trnnccs secured by heavy iron trApdoors inside the
dwelling and opening In various places In dark re
o~sses Of a distant wood and upon the river bank
The remains II these passages visible. few years
iron doorways fallen 10 pieces, apertures partly
filed, and in some cases the upper earth having
cavcd In. Joseph built himself fne house for that
day. tho ruins OF which stu visible. Ii was in
excellent pre- ,crvation years II Of
brick, covered with white plaster with a santins
root dOrmrr Windows heavy wooden window shutters
and broad doorway, with wooden columns on each
side. There grand saircnses reception ROOM,
large hrpaces with sculpture work OF fine character
bed chambers the walls OF which hidden BY
tapestry and magnificent old paintings. Many OF
these remain 1t WIS In this palace that Joseph
passed about eighteen Of his life. Here he
ccived n delegation Of Mexcans In 1870 to offer him
the Imperial crown Of Mexico. which he declined
the ground that hi, experience with two cOwns-tho~c
of Naples and Spain-had left him pronounced Re
publican Herr also he received visit from LAtay
cite I'm I72i and was induced by that great patriot
Ia open negotiations 10 seat NapoeOn's young the
Duke Of Reich~tadt. on his fathers throne From
opened a voluminons correspondence with European
agent, loollnS 10 this purpose and In 1872 be de
parted for Europe 10 attend the young heirs
funeral Joseph greatly pScmhed his greater brother
I'm appnarance and even T. The last he had vagie
hope that this personal resemblance might pave his
own way 10 to" French throne. but Europe paid little
attention 10 him. and except that France mterlicied
his entrance her territory. he was allowed 10 die
pcaceably few years later.
Joseph was 4 great favorto with the Rordentown
people of his time. The New jersey Legislature passed
= special allowing him to acquire the property
crrcd TO- and ~ return he made many valuable gifts
10 Bordcntowu. lie handsome p, ,lres to a small
village academy of design and laid ont the highway
which uIus between the Bonaparte place the
village lie gave also many ball, receptions. ut
which Prince Luceu Mnrat ana the Kings two
daughter, Zcnade and Charlotte. great attractions
Luccu WIS returned To- the French Assembly in I54,
the time Of the smaller Napocpn's into French
politics, but he never made any great hit. lie was
chiefly notable In borGenrOwn Tor his wild .",,ks his
grh Of waist aud smartneSS In horse trading
that secured the popular sympathy lie had scpa
rate residence the palace. but it was few years
ago devoted % tenement purposes only The pallIe
was called t. Helena by the eXlei King. IL fell into
the hnds Of Philadelphia broker named Beckett. after
Josephs death.
the employ of the King when he a boy. and must
have been eighty years old more ut the time his
death lie had known the King we'll and In an Inter
view published years he Is reported to have
up at the pelace they always cad him syour
Majesty and sire but moy father was a full blood
Scotchman hc gardener for HIM. and he always
cad bin Master Bunypart or your Honor Time and
looking sad like and abstracted tod the sea AS II he
his hands under his coattas would hlv' TUX him
for the image O. his brother