13. Napoleon Bonaparte in America?
Napoleon Bonaparte wrote an acquaintance: “For me, idleness would be the cruelest torture. Without armies or an empire I see only science as influencing my spirit“. America was to be his camp, from which to launch scientific and exploratory expeditions. Napoleon planned to transfer three million gold francs to an American bank. He also issued orders to prepare his library for shipment, along with enough furniture for two houses, linen, fine china, dozens of hunting guns, his best horses, and fifteen stable keepers to take care of them. The plan hit a snag, however, when Napoleon made it to a French port, where he expected to find a ship to spirit him across the Atlantic. However, the harbor was full of enemies, so Napoleon surrendered to the British Royal Navy. He was exiled to Helena. As seen below, it would be another royal Bonaparte who would end up in America.
