International Napoleonics Wargaming Club (iNWC)

200th Anniversary of the Kingdom of Westphalia and Jerome Bonaparte Exhibit

(Submitted by Wolfgang St. Johanser)

Chapter 1

Painting of Jerome as a Navy Officer. It seems that Napoleon's intention was, to prepare Jerome for a career in the French Navy or for a post in the Administration of the Colonies. In 1803 he was made captain of the Corvette "Epervier". Chased by a British fleet near the French Antilles, he decided to abandon his ship and his men and boarded an U.S. costal vessel. During his stay in Baltimore he married his first wife, a daughter of a rich ship owner, Elizabeth Patterson.

Jerome's Lieutnant Navy Officer Sabre.

A painting. Jerome in his Navy uniform (ca. 1804)

Jerome's Ship the "Veteran" which he had commanded in 1805.

Painting Elizabeth Bonaparte-Patterson with her son Jerome. In 1805 Jerome returned together with his wife from his "American Journey" to France. Needless to say that Napoleon was furious about Jerome's behavior and his marriage and decided that Elizabeth must not be allowed to enter French soil. He also forced Jerome to divorce from his wife. Remarkable is, that despite all this, Mrs. Bonaparte-Patterson became one of the greatest admirer of Napoleon.

Mrs. Patterson-Bonaparte "The Beauty of Baltimore" It is said that Jerome's intention was to use this painting to impress Napoleon with the beauty of his new wife, so that he was not forced to divorce her.

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