New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-07-24
Napoleon Seal in Metropolitan
Museum Reveals New Romance
a Mysterious Episode in the Life of the
Emperor Comes to Light at Recent
Sale of Fulton Collection

guished himself at Austerlitz, and was
made general of brigade in 1907 and
baron the following year. He came to
the United States in 1917 and settled
at New Orleans.
Lefebvre- Desnoettes was an aid de
camp of Bonaparte in Italy. and became
general of brigade and received the
title of comte in 1908. During the Hun
dred Days he was made a peer of
France and was in command Of the
light cavalry at Waterloo. After the
battle he emigrated to America, and
bought land in Alabama, where he de-
voted himself to agriculture.
The two Lallemands were born
at Metz. The elder, Frederic. was an
aid de camp Of Junot, was made colonel
after Jena, and in 1911 became general
of brigade. During the Hundred Days
Napoleon made him general of division
and peer of France. Henri, the
younger brother, was also made GEN
eral of division at the same time. They
both fought at Waterloo, and came to
the United States soon after the battle.
Besides these four officers Of the
Empire, there were three Americans Of
French descent who were prominent
IN the conspiracy. The most i'm
portant of these was Nicolas Cirod.
who had been for many years resi-
dent Of New Orleans. During the
"historic years" of 1S12-'I5 he was
mayor of the city and, in concert with
General Jackson, had contributed
valiantly to its defence against the
English. Girod was a great admirer
of Napoleon, and his house was filled
with busts and pictures of the En-
peror.
The two American associates Of
Girod were the brothers Jean and
Pierre LATTE, the pirates who for
many years were the scourge of the
Gulf of Mexico. In 1914 they refused
the solicitations of the British to io;n
them IN the attack on New Orleans.
and offered their services to Girod.
lhey took a prominent part in the bat
tie of January 8, 1915, and displaved
such courage and fidelity that they re-
celved pardon from President Madi
son.
Glrod secured the support of few
Frenchmen living in New Orleans and
at Charleston, who were equally de-
voted to the great Emperor, and funds
were subscribed for the construction
OF vessel of exceptional speed and
strength, with the object of rescuing
Napoleon form St. Helena. The boat
was built at Charleston under the in
spection of the younger Lallemand,
and was named the Seraphine."
The commander selected for the clip
per was Dominick Yon, whom the
Creoles of Louisiana called "Capitaine
Dominique" the lieutenant of LATTE:
and the crew was recruited from the
former companions of the pirate. The
men selected were not only fighters
of proved valor but also sailors Of SUP
erior ability, whom You had trained to
maneuver in silence.
Such was the confidence Of the as
sociates in the success of their project
that, at his own expense, Girod con-
structed, decorated and furnished fine
house for the residence of the EN-
peror on his arrival at New Orleans.
This mansion, at the corner of 81.
Louis and Chartres streets, is still
known as "Napoleon's House." and is
a lasting monument to the devotion of
Nicolas Girod.
All the preparations had been made.
and the date fixed for the sailing of
the Seraphine, when news reached New
Orleans of the death of the Emperor at