The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-09-11
WIFE OF A BONAPARTE.
HISTORY OF THE FAMILY OF. MA
PoLEoMs YOUNG BROTHER.

How the General and Emperor Became
Connected with American Relatives.
Betsy Patterson's Peculiar Position In
French History.
The late Prince Napoleon was the son of
Jerome, the youngest brother of Napoleon
the Great. This fact brings nearer to us
"a Whit of grapeshot" and ending with
Waterloo. His death, moreover, has n
peculiar vivid interest for Americans, be-
cause it recalls the story of the first love of
his father, jerome, for young American
girl, Betsy Patterson, of Baltimore.
1t is sad tale of romance, imperial am
bition and diplomacy. Napoleon had al
ready won undying fame in Italy when
his young brother, Jerome, was but twelve
years Of age. He soon entered the French
navy, for it was his great brothers. ambi-
tion to make of him fighter on the seas
fit to cope with Nelson. 1t an English
frigate that destroyed this plan by driving
the French frigate bearing Jerome into
American waters. At Baltimore jerome
fell madly in love with and married Eliza
beth, the beautiful daughter of William
Patterson, rich merchant, and an Irish
man 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 a
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 brothers 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 succession
for marrying against Napoleons wishes.
Nevertheless the young couple, still hoping
forgiveness and advancement, sailed for
Lisbon in 1906.
HISTORY OF "Bo"
There Jerome was arrested and taken to
France, after fearful adieu and protesta-
tions of everlasting fidelity to his wife, who
was not allowed to land. She sent a mes
sage to the emperor which tickled him inn
mensely.
"Tell the emperor, she said, "that Nine.
Bonaparte demands her rights as a mem
ber 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 thinking
that no would never see Betsy again save
as a stranger and with another wife upon
his arm.
Napoleon positively refused to recognize
the marriage, bnt promised Betsy an an
nual pension Of $4,000, providing she
would return to America and renounce
the name of Bonaparte, which conditions
she accepted.
Her husband, Jerome, thus separated
from her, was compelled by his brother to
marry Catharine, the daughter of the king
of Wurtemburg. Soon after he was made
king Of WestphRlia. He then sent to
America for Betsy's child, "Bo''-an alb.
breviation 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 $4,000 year, she sent back the
scornful message: "Westphalia is toe
small for two queens; besides, / already
receive $4,000 a year from the emperor,
and / would rather be protected by the
wings of the eagle than be dependent on
the bill of goose"
She ever afterward spoke with contempt
of her husband, although "Bo" frequently
visited his father family in Europe, where
he was treated as son and brother, his
half sister, Princess Mathilde, being es
pecially fond Of him. Afterward "Bo'
married q Baltimore lady, causing hi:
mother, Madame Betsy, great anger by
doing so. His cousin, Emperor Napoleon
III, invited him to Frante, where he was
legitimized and received as member oi
the family. His half brother, the son oi
Jerome by Catharine, qnarreled with the
emperor, and there was at one time 6
strong intention to make "Bo" the he'll
presumptive, but ultimately "Bo' was de
clared ineligible.
BETsY's POSITION.
He declined a duchy, refusing the .condi
aon attached of surrendering the name o.
Bonaparte. On the death of King Jerome
n 1860 his American wife, Betsy Patter
son, contested his will She was, however
refused share Of his property.
The. letters show great contempt fol
her native land. She wrote to her fathel
from Florence In 1920 as follows:
"a parent cannot make silk purse of ;
sow's ear, and you found that you coult
not make a sow's ear Of silk purse. i
was impossible to bend my talents anC
my ambition to the obscure destiny Of
Baltimore housekeeper, and it was absurt
to attempt 1t after l had married tn
brother of an emperor. l had not th
neanness of spirit to descend from sucl
elevation to the deplorable condition o
being the wife of an American.
II often tried to reason myself into tn
courage necessary to commit suicide whel
/ contemplated long life to be passed IL
trading town, where everything was dis
gusting to my tastes, and where every
thing contrasted so strongly with m
wishes,
II never could have degraded myself b
marriage with people who, after ha'
married prince, became my interiors.
"The Americans themselves had sens
and good taste enough to feel that l ha
risen above them, and have always treate
me with the respect and Difference due to
superior.
when / first heard that my son coul
condescend to marry any one in Baltimor
Inearly went mad
II repeat that l would have starved
died, rather than marry any one in Bait
more"
In her old age Betsy's constant compar
ions we're carpet bag and red umbrella
the color of the Nspoleonic dynasty. "Bo
died in 1870. His mother survived till 1877!
dying at the age of ninety-four years, an
leaving fortune of 1,50O, 600 to Bo's tw
Sons, jerome and CharlesJ. Bonaparte.
Charles j. married Miss Nellie Day, {
Boston, who is granddaughter of Nj
James G. Dunn, merchant Of Boston,
Philadelphia Press.
The Ventriloquist on the Elevated.
GAIL out for Fifty-ninth street" rang ou
In an elevated train the other evening. Tn
people, who were on their way home afte