The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1893-02-18
THE BONAPARTES.
How Napoleon the First Saved the
Life Of Napper Tandy, the
Irish Revolutionist.
JAMES STEPHENS PROTECTED.

Napoleon The Third Declared the
Fenian Chief Should Enjoy
French Hospitality.
Eugene Davis, the popular Irish poet
and litterateur, contributes the following
historical sketch to the Chicago Citizen,
showing the friendly relations which ex-
listed between the two Napoleons and the
irish:
Napoleon's right. hand man for years
was a Franco Irishman named Henry
Clarke, who was created Duke of Feltre,
and who from 1907 down to 1914 held the
important post of Minister of War.
Clarke, however, does not seem to have
been in particularly good odor with the
Irish exiles in France Wolfe Tone and
Emmett speak of him in any but good
terms. 1t is more than probable that it
was the Dukes sinister influence which
was partly the cause why Napoleon
abandoned his proposed expedition to
Ireland in '98. The First G ,nsul was,
moreover, at that time somewhat DIS
couraged by the failure that had attended
the efforts of General Humbert to make
any serious headway againt the English
in the west of Iceland. Bonaparte was
anxious, We are told, to try his hand in
the same direction as Humbert subse.
quently; but he was dissuaded from so
doing by the conflicting reports OF Irish
-envoys, some of whom stated that the
people were rrady for revolt, while others
persistently asserted the contrary. In
the Memories de Sainte Helene he tells
Las Cases years afterward that the great
mistake of his life was to have gone to
Egypt instead of to Ireland on that oc-
casion.
Napoleon'e championship of Napper
Tandy is one Of the brightest pages Of
the formers eventful career. Napper
Tandy, who was one of the chiefs Of the
Volunteers Of '82, and who subsequently
became member OF the organization Of
United Trishmen, had to leave Ireland,
and proceeded to Hamburg, then one of
the free cities Of Germany, where he
worked ardently for the success of the
Irish cause. The English government,
having failed to have Tandy arrested
under it's own flag, bribed the senate of
Hamburg to effect the imprisonment of
the Irish patriot in that city. After a
short interval OF time he was delivered
up to the keeping of the captain of an
English ship, and transported to Eng
land. Napoleon, on hearing of the treach-
cry, branded II as an attack on the rights
OF nations and crime against humanity.
The senate Of Hamburg wrote to Napo.
leon regrettiug the unfortunate mistake
they had made. ''Your letter." he re-
piled, "does not jus'ify You. You have
violated the laws Of hospitality thing
which never happened among the most
savage hordes of the desert" A deputa-
tion from the senate afterwards called on
the Corsicnn who inflicted on them d fine
Of four millions and a half of francs as
punishment for their dastardly conduct
Meanwhile Tsndy was tried at Liford,
County Donegal, on the charge Of high
treason, and condemned to death. Ma
poleon. being apprised Of the fact after
his return from Egypt. informed the
British Government that as the con-
demned man was an officer in the French
army, and consequently French citizen,
he should be restored to his adopted
country. "If you slay Monsieur Ia dy,"
he added. zone Of your officers, whom /
keep as a hostage, shall be slain by my
orders" Napoleon even went further
than this in his gallant effort to save the
life of this devoted Irishuan. The
French Minister in London informed the
cabinet OF st. James that Bonaparte in
structed his brother, Joseph, to withhold
his signature from the treaty of the Peace
OF Amiens till Tandy had been given up.
This stroke Of policy sent such alarming
tremors down the spine Of the British
Cabinet that Tandy q release was effected,
and he was enabled to land in safety al
Bordeaux on March 4. 1902, whom that
city Illuminated itself in honor 81. the
brave Irishman. who was Immediately
gazetted general Of division in the
French army. This reparation having
Sr,5 III, ( s. s.
been made, the Treaty Of Amiens was
signed thirteen days afterward, March q.
The action Of Napoleon on behalf Of
Tandy, and ito triumphant issue en-
deared the & little Corp to the hearts
and affections of the Irish people at home.
ss England treaoherous attempt 70 have.
Napper Iandy hinged tanned the fame
of onaparfs hostili IS that power
ID y q 4, Ind les \ B. 4 inducing him to5
g \ 6 ~ \ & noe mora g tho