The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1901-05-08
SID STORY OF THE
FIRST SOUTHERN GIRL
70 WE'D ROYALTY.
BY JudSon Carlisle.

Wv
Al this period, when SO many alli-
ances are projected between the daugh-
tors of Americas financial nabobs and
the sclons of European royalty. the
mind naturally reSerts to possibly the
first. and undoubtedly the most famous
and romantic. marriage of this charac.
ter that the social annals OF this coun-
try records.
Just a century ago lacking two years
Jerome Bonaparte, the brother of the
great Napoleon, was on pleasure tour
In America. \ dashing captain OF the
French navy, bearing name surround
ed by n halo of wltchery which was
then exciting the interest and awe of
the political world, young Jerome was
necessarily n social lion. While his en-
pcror brother WAS planning military
and diplomatic enterprises which were
destined 10 change the political geogra-
ply of the world this unsophlstieated
youth was unwittngly succumbing TO
the winsome wlles of brilliant and
ambitious American girl soon TO be-
come his estranged wife-a woman
who, 1t has been hravely asserted,
would have changed the fortunes of
France had she been the consort of the
emperor himself. This girl was Eliza
beth Patterson, the daughter OF VII
liam Patterson, Of Baltimore, one of the
Wealthiest citizens Of this continent.
Vivaclous, beautiful. accomplished, am
bilious, headstrong. she was accorded
the foremost place among all the bellies
who graced the many social functions
| WI the national capital and other CEN
/ tcrs In Tat historic period.
Mutual admiration was the result OF
/ the first meeting Of jerome and Miss
! Patterson Soon the courtshlp excited
! the attention OF the young lady's fami.
| ly, and her father emphasized his dis
| approval by sending her away. Sepa-
ration did not prevent frequent com
| munlcatlon between the lovers. and the
determined young woman made known
her purposes to her irate father by
stating, II love jerome Bonapnrtc. and
| would rather be his wife II only for
one day than make the happlcst mar
rage In the world" She soon returned
TO Baltimore. and within four months
after they first saw each other. on Dee
o. 1903. the youthful lovers were mar
ried by the Catholic bishop Of Baltl
more.
The wedding was an international
sensation and was followed by fcstvl-
ties and hospltaltes planned OH a roy.
nj scale. IN extensive tour for those
days through the New England and
middle states was sigualized by unex-
ampled oVatl0nS In the fashionable
world. In the glamour aud enthusiasm
of democratic festivities the eventual
ity of royal dlsfavor was sadly dis
counted.
The father of the bride had already
received warnings that the marriage
would not meet with Napoleon's snnc.
ton and That his approval would be
necessary to any happy OF peaceful nj
lance
The brother Of the bride was imme
dately dispatched to London and Paris
armed With necessary credentials from
Washington 10 invoke tie aid OF our
representatives abroad To effect IA con
Citation with Emperor Napoleon
James Monroe. the minister at the
court of 81 James, aad Livingston at
Paris exhausted the agencies OF di-
plomacy In their efforts. but TO no
avail Proposals were made to the EN-.
pcror that muniGcont bounty would
be provided for jerome. Finally Il
promised reconciliation was secured
from Jefome's mother and all the fam.
lily except that most important person
age, the emperor, who remained Oml-
nously silent. This silence WAS pain.
fully broken In about four months
when the emperor sent peremptOry or.
ders to the French consul general In
America TO withhold Jerome's supplies
and prohibiting all French vessels from
receiving on board the young person
with whom Jerome was consortlng
lie sent wcrd to jerome that II he
would return to France without Miss
Patterson the error OF the moment
would be overlooked.
In the meantime the brother, Robert
Patterson, wrote home and warned
Elizabeth against coming 10 France, ms
the wrath Of Napoleon was very bit
ter. Before the warning was received
the young couple had already sailed
Cor Portugal French aud English
vessels, which had for Wee1s watched
for every ship which might possibly
have the young couple on board. were
fnpt,tn 10 .,N.,t.1