BETSY BONAPARTE WRITES TO DOLLEY MADISON. BONAPARTE, ELIZABETH PATTERSON. 1785-1879. Autograph L...

BETSY BONAPARTE WRITES TO DOLLEY MADISON. BONAPARTE, ELIZABETH PATTERSON. 1785-1879. Autograph Letter Signed ('E. Bonaparte'), to Dolley Madison offering to shop in Baltimore for her and sending a cure for rheumatism, 1 p, 4to (250 x 200 mm), Baltimore, November 22, 1813, leaf lightly toned and soiled, small loss at center right margin not affecting text, with autograph transmittal envelope. Provenance: purchased privately, 1994. Elizabeth Patterson was the most beautiful belle in Baltimore in 1803 when she met Napoleon's brother Jerome Bonaparte at a dinner party. After a brief courtship, and over the objections of Napoleon, the two were married, though when they tried to return to Europe later that year, Elizabeth was not allowed to disembark. She returned to Baltimore with their infant son and spent years battling the French government to recognize her marriage, in the meantime becoming one of the most famous women on either side of the pond. In this letter, written 10 years after her famous marriage, she writes first lady Dolley Madison (with whom she is apparently on speaking terms) to offer to shop for her before her upcoming visit: 'There are in the shops in Baltimore French gloves, Fashions, etc; and the little taste possessed by me shall be exerted in selecting if I obtain your permission whatever you may require. I will have the happiness of delivering them in Person.' She continues, 'I have recently learned a remedy for the Rheumatism, since you, Madam have suffered from this painful malady...,' the remedy for which is 'the application of 'carded cotton' to the part afflicted.' For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com For further information about this lot please visit the lot listing