'^ /-tf'x • •/^-r , y {//■ i' y yy y y ■' f '> y-'y ^ y 4-y yM^ Af y^ yyy y y y yS'jy y yy yy yy/ y fyyi^ ^y y yf y^ y /V yyyy/yy y yyy > y y ^y y y y /•/ ^y y y yf y /' -'# /yfyyyy y ^yy y y yy , yyyl' y /f yy y yyyy y(« y, lyyyyy r y y y y ^yy y>y yti'y/f'y^y yyyy y y' yy y yyyy /y /^ ^yy ^ yy yyy ^jiS'^y y yyy y yy y yyyyyiivy yyyy y y ' y y yy y yyfyiifyyyyyyl'i^y y^tyyy y yy y^ y yyyfyy yy^y2^ iyyyyyyy yyy y ' 'yyy y^'yyy President white Library, COR^FELL^ U N IVERSITY. Cornell University Library DC 137.3.E92 The story of Louis XVil. of France, 3 1924 024 292 900 .3 THE STORY OF LOUIS XVIT. OF FRANCE BY THE SAME AUTHOR. Crown 8vo, cloth neat, ^s. 6d. THE 5TORY OF KASPAR HAUSER. From Authentic Records. OPINIONS OF THE PRESS. "Mrs. Evans has done well to tell once more the story of the mysterious foundling of Nuremberg, for undoubtedly there is at present a large circle of readers to whom it will be new ; and as - told in this small volume it has all the freshness and excitement of a novel." — Literary World. " If this were a novel, it would contain as good a plot as you shall find. It is stimulating to the lover of romance, interesting to the student of human nature, an engrossing exercise for the legal intelligence." — National Observer. "Mystery lends an enthralling charm to the subject which has been most forcibly put before us in this little book." — . Westminster Review, ' ' She has undoubtedly succeeded in producing a book which is extremely interesting." — Pall Mall Gazette. ' ' Mrs. Evans has evidently done her best, and her biblio- graphy is good." — Athenceum. ' Cornell University Library The original of this book is in the Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924024292900 Frfin his pcrtrail: I'aiiiUii hv Faq-nani in 1853. THE STORY OF LOUIS XVII. OF FRANCE BY ELIZABETH E. ©VANS Author of "The Story of Kaspar Hauser.'' WITH FIVE ENGRAVED PLATES. Hoittion ; SWAN SONNENSCHEIN & CO. 1893 Butler & Tanner, The Selwood Printing Works, Frome, and London. PEEFAOE Mt sole object in writing The Story of Louis XVII. is to make a useful contribution to authentic history. I firmly believe that Bleazer Williams was the Dauphin^ and to establish this fact is to explain many historical mysteries, and also to clear the character of an honest man who suffered greatly during his life, and died "under a cloud," as an impostor. I never saw Bleazer Williams, nor any of his descendants. I am a member of the Williams family ; and Eleazer, as a supposed relative, often visited at my grandfather's house, and was intimate with two of my uncles. But that was before my day, and I never heard of the man until the publication of the article, " Have we a Bourbon among us?" in 1853. I happened then to be with one of the uncles alluded to, and on reading the statement, he exclaimed : — " Now I understand ! That explains it ! " Afterwards he told me that when they were both young, Bleazer used to tell him about wonderful visions of beautiful scenes and splendidly-dressed people which haunted him, and which seemed to be fleeting reminiscences of what had really happened in his childhood. Those extravagant des- criptions were laughed at by his companion as the senti- mental dreams of an excited brain ; but in the light of Mr. VI PEEFACE. Hanson's revelation tlie matter appeared entirely different, and my uncle expressed his conviction that Eleazer Williams was really the Dauphin of France. The unexpected testimony of this relative, who was a lawyer, and a man of remarkably sound judgment, probably increased my interest in the story, and from that day to this I have kept the subject in mind, collecting gradually a mass of information which justifies me in offering to the public the results of my investigations up to the present time. My reason for devoting a part of my book to an examina- tion of the Naundorff" imposture is that, owing to the unwearied exertions of his descendants and his partisans, his claims have been kept before the world; while the absurdity of his assertions is in danger of being forgotten, scarcely anybody nowadays taking the trouble to read the voluminous and incongruous narrative of his fanatical biographer, to whose efforts the continued agitation of his pretensions is chiefly due. My condensed statement of the case contains all that is worth knowing of the matter. In order to make the narrative readable and interesting, I have written it as a consecutive story, instead of interrupt- ing its course continually by the addition of notes and references. But the material is entirely authentic, and my conclusions from the given premises are the result of careful and earnest investigation. I have also appended a list of the principal sources of information, and these are accessible to any person desirous of making a thorough study of the subject. CONTENTS. PART I. THE DAUPHIN IN AMERIQA. ELEAZER WILLIAMS. CHAPTEE I. Eemoval of the Dauphin raoM the Temple ...... 3 General disbelief in the death of the Dauphin. Motives of the plot for his abduction. Character and aims of the Count de Provence. Embarrassment of the Eepublican party concerning the Dauphin. Decision and promise to give him up to the VendSesm arniy. Condition of the Dauphin. Plot carried out. Eeported death of the Dauphin. Accession of Louis XVIII. CHAPTEE II. "The Stbange Bot" 14 Arrival and disappearance of a party of French refugees in America in 1795. A sickly and imbecile boy left among the St. Eegislndians in Northern New York. Adopted by Thomas Williams, a half- breed Indian chief. Boy called Eleazer Williams. Eleazer sent away to school. Money furnished regularly from France for his expenses. School experiences. CHAPTEE ni. Eleazer Williams in Active Life .24 War of 1812 between the United States and England. Eleazer Williams appointed Director of Scouts and Bangers. Satisfac- , tory service. After the war Eleazer Williams studies for the ministry of the Protestant Episcopal Church. Becomes a lay missionary to the Oneida Indians. Eemoves to Green Bay, Wisconsin, in 1822. Married in 1823 to Mary Jourdain. Ordained by Bishop Hobart, of New York, in 1826. Becomes the father of three children. VUl CONTENTS. CHAPTER IV. PA&E Bleazer Williams as the Dadphin 2 Visit of Prince de Joiuville to America in 1841. His connection with Eleazer Williama. Bellanger's confession in 1848. Eleazer Williams makes known the revelation of Prince de Joinville. Eev. John Hanson begins investigations in 1851. Publishes an article in Putnam's Magazine, February, 1853, entitled, " Have we a Bourbon among us ? " Testimony of Margaret Brown in 1853. Publication of Eev. John Hanson's book. The Lost Prince, in 1854. Results and consequences. Death of Eleazer Williams in 1858. His descendants. PART II. THE PRETENDERS. CHAPTER V. Hebvaoaclt CHAPTER VI. Mathdbin Bkuneau CHAPTER VII. ElCHEMONI ........ CHAPTER VIII. Nadndoejbt 95 99 101 104 Summary of Naundorff's career. His language. His personal ap- pearance. His antecedents. His memoirs. Critical examina- tion of his own story, and of his biography, by Gruau. Account of the efforts of his family and his partisans, since his death, to establish his claims. PART I. THE DAUPHIN IN AMEBIC A. ELEAZEB WILLIAMS. S. L. THE STOEY OF LOUIS XVII. CHAPTER I. REMOVAL OF THE DATJPHIN FROM THE TEMPLE. It is now generally admitted by even the most cautious students of history that there exists abundant and very strong evidence in favour of the theory that the Dauphin, Louis XVII., did not die in the Temple. The principal reasons for believing in his escape, aside from all disputed questions of identity and revelations of discovery, are the following facts : — The sudden death of the Dauphin's physician. Dr. Dessault, a. few days before the alleged abduction. The employment of two physicians who had never seen the Dauphin. The strong contrast between their report of the condi- tion of the patient and Dessault's opinion of the Dauphin's state. Their subsequent acknowledgment that they could not tes- tify to the identity of the dead child with the Dauphin. The declaration of other persons in the Temple that the child who died was not the Dauphin. The police order to arrest on all the highways of Prance any persons travelling with a child of the Dauphin's age, as there had been an escape from the Temple. 4 THE DAUPHIN IN AMERICA. ELEAZBR WILLIAMS. The actual arrest and detention of several children, soob afterwards released. The rejection by the royal family of the heart of the child who died in the Temple. The omission of the name of the Dauphin iu the religious- services ordered by Louis XVIII., in remembrance of the royal victims of the Eevolution. The neglect of the authenticated grave supposed to contain the body of the Dauphin in the cemetery of St. Marguerite, while a portion of the confused dust of the cemetery of the Madelaine was buried with regal pomp at St. Denis, as the remains of the murdered king and queen. The merely pretended compliance of Louis XVIII. with the decree of the French Chambers to erect a monument to the memory of Louis XVII. The king ordered the monument to be placed in the charch of the Madelaine, and wrote an epitaph ; but the monument was never built and the inscrip- tion never used, because the order was speedily annulled by royal command. Whe absence of any reference to Louis XVII. in the erection and consecration of the Ghapelle Expiatoire, which was dedicated exclusively to the memory of Louis XVI., Marie Antoinette and Madame Elizabeth. The refusal of the other sovereigns of Europe to recognise Louis XVIII. as King of France, and their persistence in considering him as regent, on the ground of not having received satisfactory evidence of the death of Louis XVfS The conduct of the Duchess d'Angouldme respecting the various pretenders. Her death-bed announcement that her brother was not dead, and her eager demand that he should be found and restored to his heritage. REMOVAL OF THE DAUPHIN PROM THE TEMPLE. B The official declaration of the decease was disbelieved from the first by a great many persons, and soon facts began to come to light which have gradually revealed the chief actors in the plot, the motives of their enterprisOj and the results of their conspiracy. A brief review of the circumstances will explain the proba- bility of the alleged event. When the first fury of the French Eevolution had subsided, the upholders of the Eepublic found themselves embarrassed on every side. Although the king and queen had been put out of the way, and thousands of the nobility had perished with them, there still remained a strong party which favoured royalty and would abet its interests to their fullest ability. The new rulers were divided among themselves, and as a perpetual reminder of their usurpations, the prince, the heir to the throne, lived on, despite the privations and brutalities in- tended to wear out his young existence. In truth, so far from dismissing the royal family from the thoughts of the people, the attention of the whole country was directed more and more to the future of the Dauphin. His uncles, the Counts de Provence and d'Artois, were holding their separate courts at Coblenz, ostensibly with the intention of rallying the loyal French around their king, as soon as he should be liberated ; the various crowned heads of Europe showed signs of remon- strance against the unlawful imprisonment, and even the people of France began to feel a reaction from the unnatural cruelty which could revenge upon a helpless child the wrongs he was not able even to understand. The times were evidently calling for a change, and it was just at this point that the influences began to work which developed the strange history narrated in the following pages. Well authenticated records prove that the Count de Provence 6 THE DAUPHIN IN AMERICA. — ELEAZEB WILLIAMS. was, even in the lifetime of his brother Louis XVI., a dis- loyal subject, an ambitious and unscrupulous traitor. Occupying, by virtue of his rank, a conspicuous position, he used his opportunity to spread dissatisfaction among the people, and to call attention to the troubles which the folly of previous rulers had created. He caused his own liberal plans for the remedy of those evils to be publicly promulgated, and commiserated the unhappy state of the nation, which the king found no way to alleviate. He had even involved himself in a scheme to impeach the legitimacy of the royal children, when the crash of the Revolution, which he had helped to bring on, but which he had not power to control, changed the nature of his efforts. There is reason to believe that the un- fortunate king understood his designs, and was as much embarrassed by the treachery of his supposed friends as by the open hatred of his declared enemies. The prize for which the Count de Provence risked so much was nothing less than the Crown of France. His acts show that during the first outbreaks of popular discontent he hoped for the abdication of Louis XVI., the sentence of illegitimacy against his children, and the advancement of himself to the vacant throne as the man best fitted to protect the interests of the nation. Immediately after the execution of the king, he proclaimed himself regent, and issued a proclamation de- nouncing that murder, asserting the rights of the Dauphin, and pledging himself to effect the liberation of the royal family, and the adjustment of all wrongs which oppressed the people of France. He assumed the office of regent as his right by law and custom ; yet there was no Such law existing and precedents were against him. Few of the European powers paid any attention to his pro- clamation, although the heirship of the Dauphin was generally EEMOVAL OP THE DAUPHIN FROM THE TEMPLE. ( acknowledgedj and the loyalists of La Vendee, while they fought and died by thousands for the cause of their captive king, never upheld the pretensions of his ambitious uncle. Those brave soldiers were anxious to obtain possession of the prisoner, and the Count de Provence, to strengthen his own influence and increase the fervour of the Royalist party, promised to help them in the project. At the same time the Republican party made the future disposal of the Dauphin a subject of anxious debate. His presence in Paris strengthened the hopes of his adherents ; cruelty had failed to deprive him of life, although it had weakened his mind and almost ruined his bodily health; pubKc spirit revolted against further treatment of such a nature, and assassination had ceased to be a laudable act. To send him into exile was to create a source of continual dis- turbance ; and after much discussion the most influential members of the Convention proposed to give him up to the Vendeean army, a plan which had already been arranged by a secret treaty with the chief of the insurgents. The Count de Provence was aware of all these negotiations, and played into the hands of both parties, while he secretly cherished an intention distinct from either. After the dismissal of the cruel Simon, the guardians of the prince had refrained from direct' abuse, although they had left him in a state of neglect which was not much better. But on the fall of Robespierre all France breathed more freely, and light and air were granted to the sufi'erer, now too much exhausted by privation to appreciate these privileges; The National Guard appointed Laurent his keeper. He was a gentle-hearted man and did all he could to ameliorate the condition of the unfortunate child ; but he was restricted by minute directions, and dared not go beyond attending to the 8 THE DAUPHIN IN AMEEICA. — ELBAZEK WILLIAMS. physical necessities of his charge. For more than six months the prisoner had been left entirely alone, seeing no human face and hearing no human voice, excepting when at night his jailer handed in the scanty supply of food and water through a revolving aperture in the door, and bade him rise and eat it. The horrible condition of his cell and the absence of fresh air had reduced the miserable victim to a state of stupor, and he was but a few hours removed from death when Laurent arrived as the first agent in the improved order of things. This merciful keeper continued alone in the prison for several months, when, wearying of the monotony, he demanded a colleague, and Gomin, a secret agent of the Count de Provence, was appointed to that office. On the 29th of March, 1795, Laurent gave up his position, and Lasne, a moderate Republi- can, was sent to fill his place. Then began a laxity of discipline, an arrangement of duties well calculated to aid any attempt at the prisoner's abduction. The inner doors were left open, and their hinges oiled to prevent noise, while the frequent goings and comings of the two jailers and their loud attempts at music and other amuse- ments accustomed the neighbourhood to sounds and move- ments in the formerly silent prison. In a short time the committee were informed that the health of the prince was seriously affected, and Dessault, the chief physician of Prance, was appointed to attend him. He found him apathetic in mind and wasted in body, with swellings at most of the joints, which proved the debilitated state of his system. Still, Dessault declared that there was no seated disease. His horrible treatment had stimulated into present action a slight hereditary taint of scrofula ; but there seemed to be no ailment which might not be healed by proper care. Accordingly, removal into the country and abundance of air 'lC^M^.eMMcSc. From an. outline drfjivnur I'/zhr Poitmit ui the Brvan Gallery New York . supposed to be after liclli'uqa-'s Sketch, in ajc in the Temple. May 1C>. IJ.')6. REMOVAL OF THE DAUPHIN FEOM THE TEMPLE. 9 and exercise were prescribed. But the Government would not consent to the change, and so the kind physician, who was acting in good faith, continued his friendly visits and simple remedies until the 30th of May, when he made his appearance for the last time. He died the next day, or a few days after- wards, of poison, as was always strongly asserted by his friend and pupil Abbaye. On the 31st of May, Bellanger, a painter and designer to the Count de Provence, and also his confidential friend, appeared in the Temple as the acting com- missary for the day. He announced his intention of meeting Dessault in the apartment of the prince, contrary to the regu- lation which required the commissary and the two jailers to wait for and accompany the physician in his daily visit. But so irregular was the discipline of the prison at this time that no opposition was made, and the agent of De Provence passed in alone. The physician did not come ; perhaps Bellanger did not ex- pect him. The artist remained all day with the prince, and succeeded in eliciting some slight tokens of pleasure and in- terest through his pictures, while he made a hasty sketch of the child's features, which has been preserved and faithfully copied into a life-sized portrait. Between that eventful morning and the 5th of June the daring plot was consummated. Louis XVII. was conveyed secretly from the Temple and given into the hands of Eoyalists waiting to receive him, while an unknown child, nearly dead with a loathsome form of scrofula, was substituted for him. Meantime the authorized officials were entirely silent. No record of the condition of the prince, no intimation of increased alarm, no message for a physician to take the place of the missing Dessault, came from the silent' walls. 10 THE DAUPHIN IN AMEEICA. — ELEAZEE WILLIAMS. Yet on June 5th, when the committee had been informed of" the death of Dessault, and sent Pelletau to take charge of the case, he immediately demanded a colleague, as the patient was in so dangerous a state that he could not venture to act alone. So Dumangin was ordered to his relief, and these two celebrated physicians remained in close attendance until the death occurred three days afterwards. Neither Pelletau nor Dumangin had ever seen the Dauphin, nor did they know anything of his condition while Dessault was prescribing for him j consequently they were not surprised at the advance- ment of disease nor struck by the inconsistency between the mental state of the prince, which bordered on idiotcy, and the unusual intellectual development (frequently accompanying a scrofulous diathesis) which displayed itself in their patient. They presided at the autopsy with due interest and reverence, and Pelletau secretly secured the heart as a memorial for the survivors of the unhappy family. However, all who assisted at the solemn farce were not so blind. Four different persons in attendance at the prison insisted throughout the remainder of their lives that the patient of Pelletau was not the Dauphin, nor the dead body his. But it was not till the 8th of June, the day of the child's death, that the chief authorities became thoroughly awake to the suspicion of a plot. No time was lost in endeavouring to frustrate the designs of the Royalists. An order was issued to the police to arrest on every high road in Prance any travellers carrying with them a child of eight years or there- abouts, as there had been an escape from the Temple ; and persons were stopped on the authority of that order, but without finding the object of search. Notwithstanding that there was a general mistrust of the REMOVAL OP THE DAUPHIN FROM THE ~ TEMPLE. 11 proceedings in the Temple, and the opinion prevailed that the prince was not dead, the fact was certain that he was not to be found, and accordingly no opposition was made to the nominal accession of the Count de Provence under the title of Louis XVIII. The public mind, grown weary of the excesses of the Re- public, was favourable to the restoration of the monarchy, and had there been no superior genius to take direction of affairs, the ambitious schemes of De Provence might have been real- ized without delay ; but just at this juncture Napoleon arose, and the Bourbons sank into silence and neglect. D'Artois found a home in England, the young princess, who was libera- ted soon after her brother^ s- removal, married her cousin, the Duke d'Angoul^me, and the Count de Provence, with the rest of the exiled family, formed a. mock sovereignty and a petty court svherever they took up their abode. The history of the Consulate and the Empjre is familiar to every reader; matter pertaining to the story of the Dauphin comes again into view with the restoration of the monarchy in the person of Louis XVIII. Soon after his accession it was deemed proper to pay kingly honours to the remains of the royal victims of the Revolution. The bodies of Louis XVI, Marie Antoinette and the Prin- cess Elizabeth had been buried in the cemetery of the Made- laine, and covered with quicklime to hasten their dissolution. The place of interment was not marked, and the enclosure was filled with the graves of their companions in misfortune, .so that it was impossible to identify the relics. The child who died in the Temple was decently buried in the cemetery of St. Marguerite, in the presence of three re- 12 THE DAUPHIN IN AMERICA. — ELEAZEB WILLIAMS. sponsible witnesses ; quicklime was not thrown upon the body, and minute directions as to the place of sepulchre were placed on record. Yet, while a portion of the unrecognisable dust of the Madelaine was gathered and interred at St. Denis with all the pomp of royalty, the grave at St. Marguerite was left undisturbed; the heart, which Pelletan had preserved with so much care, was not accepted by the family ; no prayers were said for the repose of the soul of Louis XVII., and the only show of respect for his name was the epitaph composed for his monument by the king, who, however, never ordered the monument to be built. The crown which the new king had grasped so eagerly was, after all, not secure in his possession. Not only did the terrible state and family secret haunt his memory continually, but reminders of its existence were frequently brought him from without. The ambition of Count d'Artois threatened him with exposure, and he was reproached perpetually by the settled sadness of the Duchess d'Angonleme, who knew of her brother's exile, and had been persuaded by her uncle that the interests of France demanded this sacrifice of feeling on the part of their family. The allied sovereigns, though addressing him publicly as king, declared in secret treaties that they considered him only as regent, and had received no valid proof of the death of Louis XVII.; while from time to time appeared pretenders to the character of the Dauphin, men who by various means had become possessed of fragments of the mystery, and made capital of their knowledge for their own interest and the embarrassment of the sovereign. There seems to be authority for the statement that Louis XVIII. left a will wherein he enjoined upon his brother to EEMOVAL OF THE DAUPHIN FBOM THE TEMPLE. 13 restore the kingdom to the rightful heir, and that D'Arfcois, following the advice of his chosen counsellors, which accorded with his own wishes, burned the testament, thereby succeed- ing without opposition to the throne. CHAPTER II. "THE STEANGB BOY." In 1 795, a family of French refugees, consisfcing of a gentle- man and lady and two children, a girl and a boy, arrived in Albany, New York, and stayed there a short time. The adult couple were called Monsieur and Madame de Jardin (or Jourdain) ; but they did not appear to be husband and wife, the man acting rather as attendant upon the other members of the party. The girl was called Mademoiselle Louise; the boy, who was younger. Monsieur Louis. Although, at that time, it was common to meet refugees from France, this party .attracted particular attention because of the mystery observed concerning the children, who were never seen in public and rarely by persons in the house. The boy, apparently about .ten years old, did not seem to notice any one, nor to be aware of what was passing around him. Several ladies who could speak French called upon Madame -de Jardin, among them one to whom she confided some par- ticulars of her previous life. She said she had been maid of honour to Marie Antoinette, and was separated from her on the -terrace of the palace before the imprisonment in the Temple. ■ In speaking of affairs in France, she became much agitated, and she played and sang the Marseillaise with tears streaming .down her cheeks. After a while the De Jardin family left Albany, and their new acquaintances never heard of them again. Before their 16 departure they sold a number of valuable articles, some of which are said to be still owned by persons in or near Albany ; among other things, several large mirrors, a clock, a pair of gilt andirons in the form of lions, and a golden bowl bearing the royal arms of France. Very soon after the disappearance of these strangers, two Frenchmen, one of them a Catholic priest, having in charge a sickly and apparently imbecile boy, came to Tioonderoga, near Lake George, and left the boy in care of an Iroquois chief, a half-breed, named Thomas Williams, whose mother had been stolen by the Indians from the English settlement at Deerfield, Mass., in 1704. Among other persons who wit- nessed the transfer of the child was a half-breed Indian chief, John Skenondogh O'Brien by name, who had been educated in France ; and he was told by the two strangers that the boy was French by birth. There is no positive proof that the boy in the care of the De Jardin family was the same boy left with Thomas Williams, • but tlje circumstantial evidence is very strong. His appear- ance in Ticonderoga occurred very soon after his disappear- ance from Albany, and the towns are not far apart ; also, his unnatural indifference to everything and everybody around him, which impressed the people who saw him first, answers to Skenondogh's description pf him as weak and sickly, and wandering in his mind. The date of neither arrival can now be ascertained, but both events must have happened after the middle of the year 1795 ; for Thomas Williams had already come down from his home in Oaughnawaga to his temporary lodging on Lake George for the hunting season, which begins in autumn. He took the boy with him to his hut on the shore of the lake, gave Mm the 16 THE DAUPHIN IN AMEEICA. — BLEAZER WILLIAMS. name of Bleazer Williams, and treated him as one of the family, the child himself being too stupid to say anything to the con- trary, and the Indians who frequented that region during the hunting season taking it for granted that the invalid was really Thomas Williams's son. Eleazer's health was for some time extremely delicate; how- ever, his outdoor life, with the plain food and simple remedies of his Indian protectors, proved to be the best means for the restoration of his physical strength. But his intellect continued deranged until, during one of his annual excursions to Lake George, he fell from a high rock into the water, and cut his head severely against a stone beneath the surface. He was taken up insensible, and had no recollection afterwards of the accident } but the shock awakened his benumbed faculties, and his mind resumed its normal activity, excepting that with regard to the past his memories were spasmodic and confused. The half-breed chief Skenondogh, who saw the boy in his imbecile state, was a witness also of the accident and its happy effects. Soon after his recovery he was visited by two strangers, one of whom was a Frenchman, elegantly dressed and with powdered hair. This man embraced Bleazer tenderly, and wept over him, talking earnestly to him with tears and endear- ments, and trying in vain to make him understand what he was so anxious for him to know. But although, according to Skenondogh, the boy understood French on his arrival, he had fbrgfetten it in his exclusive intercourse with the Indians, having doubtless nearly lost his knowledge of the language, with the rest of his intellectual acquirements, during his con- dition of imbecility. The next day the two strangers came again, and the same man then took hold of Eleazer's bare feet and dusty legs, and 17 examined his knees and ankles carefully, weeping as before, to Bleazer's great astonishment. When he went away he gave the boy a gold piece of money. A few days after this visit, Thomas Williams returned with his family to their village home, instead of remaining as usual for the winter hunt at Lake George. One night Eleazer, who slept in the same room with his reputed parents, overheard Thomas Williams urging his wife to give her consent to a re- quest which bad been made to them to allow two of their boys to be sent away from home for education. She objected on religious grounds, she being a Catholic ; but finally she said : " If you want to, you may send away the strange boy ; means have been put into your hands for his education ; but John I cannot part with." This remark made Eleazer suspect that he did not really belong to the family, but the impression soon passed away. The person who had made the request was Mr. Nathaniel Ely, of Long Meadow, Mass., a deacon of the Congregational Church, and a highly respected citizen, who was active in efforts for the conversion of the Indians to Protestant Chris- tianity, and who, being by marriage connected with the Williams family of Deerfield, felt a deep interest in the half- breed, Thomas Williams, and therefore desired to educate two of his sons as missionaries to the savages. Accordingly, Eleazer was sent to Long Meadow, and John also. John was continually homesick for the free life of the forest, and he could not acquire the wisdom of books, although otherwise intelligent and tractable; but Eleazer enjoyed school, and took to study as though it were the resumption of a former habit. The difference between the two boys in their looks, manners and characters was so remarkable as to stimulate the curiosity s. L. 18 THE DAUPHIN IN AMERICA. — ELEAZEE WILLIAMS. of every one who saw them, and it was generally believed that Bleazer was a French boy who had been stolen by the Indians from some family of good position in Canada. Mr. Ely, on assuming the charge of the boy, was informed that he was of distinguished birth, but whether he knew the whole secret has never been discovered. Probably he did, for he told his nearest relatives, in confidence, that there was something about the matter which perhaps he never should reveal; but he would say this much, that Eleazer Williams was born to be a great man, and he intended to give him an education to prepare him for his rightful station. Apparently, this confidential disclosure was held sacred by the persons who received it ; but other people continued to be puzzled by the contrast between the supposed brothers, and after Bleazer had learned to speak English, he was often questioned respecting his former life, his answer being al- ways that he could not remember his childhood distinctly ; but there were painful images before his mind which he could not get rid of, nor exactly understand. Once he spoke of the scars on his forehead, and said the sight of them always brought up distressing thoughts which he coujd not bear to dwell upon. Not only did he acquire knowledge with surpris- ing facility, he also adopted the habits of a refined civilization with ease and pleasure, becoming speedily so much more graceful and elegant in his manners than thie persons with whom he associated as to win among them admiring distinc- tion as " the plausible boy." His person was as pleasing as his manners. His complexion was fair, his hair brown, his eyes hazel, while not a single feature bore any trace of Indian lineage. His character was amiable, sensitive, frank and generous. He was also very ambitious, and, according to his schoolmates, cherished the 19 idea of his superiority to every other person, a trait which he did not deny nor conceal, and which, when questioned about it, he attributed to his Indian blood. At that period, although frequently harassed and saddened by dim recollections of his early life, he did not attempt to account for such impressions, believing himself an Indian and a relation of the large and widely spread Williams family of Massachusetts, many of whose members sought his acquaint- ance and invited him to their homes, where he was welcomed as an especially gifted and promising scion of the race. During the latter part of his school life he became intimate with one of these supposed relatives, and in the freedom of private conversation often spoke of those flashes of memory, which were not entirely of terrifying scenes, but also afforded glimpses of noble edifices, beautiful gardens, gorgeously furnished apartments, ladies and gentlemen in splendid attire, troops on parade, and himself lying on a rich carpet, with his head on a lady's silk dress. His matter-of-fact "cousin" listened to these fantastic descriptions with small iuterest but great anxiety ; he con- sidered Bleazer as inclined to be " romantic," and sometimes feared for his sanity, so excited would the boy become over the thronging images which now and then disturbed the habitual composure of his mind. It was in 1800 that Eleazer Williams went to Long Meadow, and in 1803 he began to follow the example of Mr. Ely in keeping a journal, which practice he continued, with occasional short interruptions, for the rest of his life. That he was care- ful and correct in his statements is proved by a comparison of his early records with those of Mr. Ely, incidents and dates being the same in both cases. In 1802, there was a religious revival in the churches of 20 THE DAUPHIN IN AMERICA. ELEAZEE WILLIAMS. Long Meadow, and Eleazer Williams was one of the converts, an event wbich was hailed with rejoicing by his friends, as the object of his education was to prepare him for missionary- work. |t was generally supposed that Mr. Ely had undertaken the education of the Mo boys at his own expense, the truth, how- ever, being that money was sent regularly from France for Bleazer's benefit, and that his expenses were paid promptly twice a year through a chosen agent in Albany or New Yor^ But John Williams was unprovided for, and Mr. Ely's means being limited, he began in 1803 to apply for assistance to certain local missionary societies, receiving thenceforth aid from such sources, as also from various members of the Williams family, who supposed that funds were necessary for • the support of both boys. How long the remittances from France were forthcoming,, whether they ceased when Eleazer became a Protestant, or when somebody died in France, or when Thomas Williams died, or when the agent died, cannot now be determined. The agent was believed on good authority to have been Mr. John Bleeker, of New York. It was known that Thomas Williams went frequently to Albany, and returned with con- siderable sums of money, which he evidently had not earned ; also, his wife's statement that he was furnished with means for Eleazer's education is additional evidence of the fact that the boy was supported by parties unknown. There seems to have been no such help offered after Eleazer began his inde- pendent career as a Protestant missionary, to judge from the privations to which he was subjected for the rest of his life. In 1804, Thomas Williams and his wife visited the boys at Long Meadow ; and the contrast between Eleazer and his reputed relatives awakened anew the curiosity and interest of j.%'^.;,;' • }^^ ,)^ '■■ • 'm^' y^' .y!* ' ' / 1 // y y r'"^: fi'i^l ... D' ,.A. From a, Crayan PortraU, taJUn in, I806r> 21 the neighbourhood. In May of the same year, Mr. Ely, being in Boston with Bleazer, made application to the Legislature for pecuniary assistance, and received a grant of three hun- dred and fifty dollars ; he also appealed to the public in behalf of the two boys, with what degree of success is not known. Eleazer continued to improve rapidly in his intellectual development ; bub his health was always delicate, and he was frequently obliged to suspend study and resort to change of air and scene. In the autumn of 1805, he was sent by order of his physician to Canada, where he spent several months ia Montreal and its vicinity, being treated with flattering atten- tions by distinguished personages, and welcomed as a guest in the highest circles of society. During his stay he frequently attended the services of the Catholic Church, and became acquainted with several priests of that faith. In May, 1806, being in Boston, he went with Mr. Ely to a Catholic Church, and soon afterwards was introduced to a Catholic priest named Chevreux, who afterwards became bishop. Eleazer was mentioned as an Indian youth, studying for the ministry; and Chevreux began at once to question him as to the practice of the Indians in adopting French chil- dren, and asked him whether he had ever heard of a boy being brought from France and left among them, to which inquiries Eleazer could not give any satisfactory reply. Considering the strong prejudice of the New England Puritan against the Catholic religion, Mr. Ely's conduct on this occasion was very singular. That he should go himself on Sunday to a Catholic • Church was strange enough (his love of music was the osten- sible excuse) ; but that he should take Eleazer with him, and allow him to be introduced to Catholic priests, and afterwards send him. alone to Canada, where he was sure to be surrounded by Catholics, is still stranger, until one recalls his words re- 22 THE DAUPHIN IN AMEEICA. ELEAZEE WILLIAMS. specting Eleazer's birth and station, and his own intention of educating him for his rightful position. Mr. Ely died in 1808. Eleazer remained at Long Meadow and Mansfield until 1809, when he was placed under the tuition of Eev. Enoch Hale, of AVest Hampton, with whom he-stayed until August, 1812, although frequently absent on journeys, besides being engaged a part of the time in a missionary visit to the Indians of St. Louis, near Montreal, whither he was sent by the American Board of Missions to ascertain whether there was any prospect of being able to convert them to Protestantism. His feeble health often disturbed his plans ; but his desire to become a missionary to the Indians increased with his wider knowledge of their moral and religious needs. He speedily became very popular with them personally ; but his doctrinal system did not suit their ideas, and the Catholic priests already on the ground exerted all their power to counteract his influence. About this time Eleazer Williams fell in love with a young lady, a member of the Dwight family ; but, for reasons now unknown, his suit did not prosper, although he was highly esteemed by the object of his choice and by her relatives. His supposed Indian blood- could not have been an objection, as neither she nor her friends believed him to be an Indian j but it is very probable that the mystery of his origin was the chief obstacle, as it seemed to imply an illegitimate birth. Or, it might have been that his poverty, and his intention of < becoming a missionary to the savages, prevented the match. In any case, that family must have experienced a keen regret when after events demonstrated the importance of the oppor- tunity they had thrown away. •23 For Bleazer Williams^ however, and for the world at large, that early disappointment was fortunate ; as, if he had been lost in the comfortable mediocrity of a thriving American family, it is not likely that Louis Philippe would have risked tempting him with the offer of rich possessions in exchange for his rights to a kingly crown, and thus his own instinctive discontent would have remained unexplained, and the evident mystery continued to baflGle historical research till the end of time. CHAPTER III. ELEAZEE WILLIAMS IN ACTIVE LIFE. On the breaking out of the war of 1812, Eleazer Williams was recognised by the American Government as the person best fitted to prevent the Indians from taking up arms against the United States, and accordingly he was appointed General Superintendent of the Northern Indian Department, with the whole secret corps of army scouts and rangers under his com- mand. His influence was powerful and widespread, his service judicious and effective, and official records show that he bore that severe test of capacity and principle to the satisfaction of the Government and with high credit to himself. Even during this exciting period he never lost sight of his purpose to become a missionary; and he spent his scanty intervals of leisure in religious study and meditation; while his journal showed that he regretted the unavoidable desecra- tion of the Sabbath, and the loss of the sanctuary privileges, which to him were so dear. Towards the close of the war he was wounded, and obliged to retire from active service. He was confined to his bed for several weeks in the house of his reputed father, who nursed him tenderly, and restored him to health through the use of Indian remedies. On his recovery, he (with Thomas Williams, who had also served in the war) was summoned by the Governor of New York to Albany, and while there the Dutch 21 ELEAZEK WILLIAMS IN ACTIVE LIFE. 25 trader, Jacob Vanderheyden, invited Thomas Williams to 3pend an evening at his house, and bring Bleazer with him. As the two old men grew lively over the brandy bottle, they seemed to forget the young man's presence, and Vanderheyden reminded Williams of the time when they were together on Lake George, and the boy was first seen in Williams' care. " Didn't I tell you then," he cried, " that I knew he wasn't your son ? " And Williams answered: "You often told me that; if you want to have it so, you can for all of me." Afterwards, Vanderheyden asked : " Thomas, what became of that Frenchman ? " But Eleazer did not understand, or could not remember, what Williams said in reply. In 1815, a census was taken of each family of the Six Nations, for the purpose of distributing the presents allotted by the Government to the Indians after the close of the war. In this census Bleazer Williams was recorded as a French- man, adopted by the St. Eegis tribe, and transferred to the Oneidas. Peace being established, Bleazer devoted himself to the study of theology; and after mature deliberation, resolved to join the ministry of the Protestant Episcopal Church, instead of remaining in the Congregationalist communion with which he had so long been connected. This change in his opinions and purposes appears not to have caused any hard feelings among his early friends, who always retained for him the respect and affection which his exemplary conduct deserved. However, he refused any longer to accept pecuniary aid from the old sources, delicacy forbidding him to employ such money for any other use than was originally intended by the donors. During those early days of devotion to the Episcopal Church, 26 THE DAUPHIN IN AM.EEICA. ELEAZEB WILLIAMS. an incident occurred which, in view of later events, is deeply • significant. One day Eleazer, being on a visit to a clergyman in Albany, saw on his study table a brilliantly illuminated missal, such' as is used in European cathedrals and royal chapels, and treasured in the private libraries of the great. At the sight of this book Eleazer became greatly agitated, so much so as to appear temporarily insane, and he begged earnestly that it might be given him ; but his request was refused, his conduct being regarded by the astonished clergy- man as unreasonable eccentricity, while it was really dictated by a faint stirring of some early association. Eleazer Williams was attracted to the Episcopal Church partly by the beauty of its ritual, partly by its comparative mildness with regard to doctrinal tenets. Even as a boy he had refused to believe in the extreme creed of Calvinism, and with increased knowledge of life came a strong desire to teach and preach the practical virtues of Christianity, rather than abstract theories of Divine truth. He was warmly welcomed into the ranks of the body calling itself pre-eminently " The Church " ; and not being yet pre- pared for ordination, was sent to labour as a lay-missionary among the St. Regis Indians j and at a later period, among the Oneidas. As the active professional career of Eleazer Williams has nothing to do with the question of his identity, it is unneces- sary to go into particulars respecting his varied and trying experience as a lay- missionary, and afterwards as an ordained clergyman; but as the question of his moral character is of the greatest importance in determining the degree of con- fidence to be placed in his personal statements, it is necessary to declare what can be substantiated by abundant proof, that through all the political and religious diflSculties in which Mr. ELEAZER WILLIAMS IN ACTIVE LIFE. 27 Williams was engaged, and to which he finally succumbed, so far as worldly prosperity and professional distinction wafcs^ concerned, he never lost the confidence of his governmental employers, nor the sympathy o£ his ecclesiastical superiors, while he was loved and trusted to the end by all Indians who were allowed to _padge of his conduct for themselves, and were not prejudiced against him by interested and designing enemies. One important incident may be quoted as a proof of the sincerity of his aims and the noble generosity of his disposi- tion. While he was labouring among the St. Regis Indians, and living upon his meagre salary of one hundred and twenty- five dollars a year, granted by the missionary society, he received ten thousand dollars from the United States as recompense for his services during the war. Having long tried in vain to obtain from the Church the necessary funds for the extension of his useful work among the Indians, and realizing the importance of speedy help, he, without hesita- tion, solemnly consecrated to the service of God this fortune of ten thousand dollars, and went back contentedly to the former miserable pittance for the supply of his own wants. la 1818, his health having failed from excessive work, he was obliged to go to Canada for a change. On his departure, the Catholic priest of St. Regis gave him, unsolicited, a letter of introduction to the priest of Caughnawaga, and he in turn gave him a letter to a Catholic priest in Montreal, Rev. Mr, Richards, formerly a Methodist minister, who, like most con- verts, was extremely zealous in the faith, and who could speak English as fluently as French. There was an evident desire on the part of high function- aries of the Catholic Church to make a proselyte of Eleazer Williams, and although such a wish was fully explainable, on 28 THE DAUPHIN IN AMEEICA. — ELEAZEE WILLIAMS. the ground of his supposed Indian origin^ various circum- stances pointed to a different reason for the frequently ex- pressed solicitude. On this occasion Mr. Richards made use of every possible argument to weaken the missionary's allegiance to the church of his adoption, telling him finally that if he would return to the true faith and enter the Catholic priesthood the Bishop of Quebec would give him any parish he might prefer. Seeing that his propositions had no effect, he closed the discussion by speaking on quite another subject. He told Mr. Williams that the Abbe Calonne (a brother of the Govern- ment Minister Calonne in France) had often spoken of him as a person whose life was enveloped in a great mystery concern- ing his descent and the cause of his detention among the Indians. Mr: Williams' curiosity being aroused by these words, he asked for further information; but Mr. Richards could not give him any, as the Abbe Calonne always evaded a full ex- planation, saying that his opinion was largely conjectural, although Richards believed him to know much more about the matter than he was willing to communicate. Richards added that the Abbe believed the Dauphin of France to be still alive, and that Bishop Chevreux of Boston held the same opinion, and had endeavoured, in 1807, to find out where he was concealed. At the close of the interview, Mr. Richards promised to see the Abbe again, and make renewed inquiries ; he then patted Mr. Williams on the shoulder, saying, " You are, I suspect, of higher grade by blood than the son of an Iroquois chief." These strange hints disturbed Mr. Williams for a time ; but he soon explained them, as he had at other times explained similar intimations, by supposing that he was considered to ELEAZEE WILLIAMS IN ACTIVE LIEE. 29 be one of the children given to the Indians by poor Cana- dians. In July, 1822, Bleazer Williams removed from New York to Green Bay, Wisconsin, where land had been provided by the Government for an Indian settlement, it being necessary for a portion of the tribes of the Six Nations to emigrate, in conse- quence of the rapid increase of the white population in the State of New York. Mr. Williams was an important agent for the Government in this transaction, and was supported in his new enterprise by the advice and sympathy of the Episcopal Bishop of New York. From this period his time was divided between his pa,ro- chial duties at Green Bay and his continued educational efforts among the Indians in his former home. He also went occasionally to Washington, with delegations of Indian chiefs, to transact important business at the seat of government ; in short, he was widely known as one of the most influential citizens in the whole country with regard to matters concerning the Indian inhabitants. During his occasional journeys to Washington and other eastern points, he sometimes visited his former friends among the Williams family of New England, especially the man with whom he had been most intimate when they were boys to- gether at school. In this household Eleazer was never con- sidered as an Indian ; he was believed to be of French origin ; but nobody took any pains to investigate the mystery, and the supposed "cousin" was glad to find that Eleazer, as an active man of affairs, had apparently recovered from his early threatened " insanity " and forgotten the exciting dreams- which had haunted his waking hours in youth. 30 THE DAUPHIN IN AMEEICA. ELEAZEH WILLIAMS. Eleazer Williams was married March 3rdj 1823, to Magda- lene (called Mary) Jourdain, a beaatifal and amiable girl, •whose father was French (said to be a relation of Marshal Joardain) and whose mother was of French and Indian ex- traction. She owned between four and five thousand acres of land on Fox River, near Green Bay ; and from the time of his marriage Mr. Williams^ home was in this region, although he was frequently absent at his former residence in New York. In 1826 he was ordained by Bishop Hobart, his duties and occupations remaining the same as before. He became the father of three children, one son and two daughters, and his domestic life was happy; but his affairs were gradually involved through the withholding of several payments long due for his services to the Government re- specting Indian matters, and through the injustice of certain individuals, who took advantage of his embarrassments to lay claim to his last resource, the land which had belonged to his wife. The only fault which could be laid to Mr. Williams' charge with regard to his misfortunes was a lack of practical wisdom in the management of business, which defect may have been- an inborn trait of character, and was certainly developed through his early training in the simple methods of Indian traffic J while his sincere and literal following of the precepts inculcated by the religious instructors of his youth made him still more careless respecting the perishable goods of earthly life. He was himself honest and generous, and he was not prepared to combat selfishness and knavery in other persons. However, through all his troubles and failures, his reputation as a man of honour remained unsullied, atid that is the most essential fact in connection with, the momentous revelation which in the latter years of the unfortunate missionary sud- ELEAZEE WILLIAMS IN ACTIVE LIFE. 31 denly lifted him out of obscurity into the light of historic fame. In 1836, during one of his visits to his early home, an old Indian woman gave him an ancient mass-book in manuscript, written in the Indian language, and apparently about two hundred years old. She showed him certain childish scrib- blings on the inside of one of the covers, and told him that while he was in his partially insane condition he one day snatched up a pen and wrote those figures and letters. These consisted of the numerals from 1 to 30 and from 1 to 19, in French characters, also the letter c, exactly as it is formed in the handwriting of the Dauphin while under Simon's care, and, less distinct, but still quite legible, the words duo and Loui. Now the imbecile boy left with Thomas Williams had not received any instruction since his arrival ; but the Dauphin, before his imprisonment, was far advanced for his age in many branches of knowledge. CHAPTER IV. ELEAZER WILLIAMS AS THE DAUPHIN. In 184], Prince de Joinville, the eldest son of King Louis Philippe, arrived in America, and one of his first inquiries was whether a man named Bleazer Williams was living among the Indians of Northern New Tork. After considerable in- vestigation, he learned that Bleazer Williams was an Episcopal missionary at Green Bay, Wisconsin, and for further informa- tion he was advised to consult Mr. Thomas Ogden, a promi- nent Episcopalian of New York City. At the request of the prince, Mr. Ogden wrote to Mr. Williams (who was then at Hogansburg, New York, engaged with several other persons in important business connected with Indian affairs) and told him that Prince de Joinville was in the country and wished to see him before returning to France. The meeting was appointed at Green Bay, and Mr. Williams left his business unfinished and started directly for the West, while the prince took the route through Canada. Mr. Williams was surprised at the summons, but supposed the prince's request had reference to local information which he was known to be able to impart. He expected to meet the prince at Green Bayj but on arriving at Mackinac he heard that the royal party was ex- pected that day, and soon the steamer came in sight, salutes were exchanged, flags were displayed, and crowds gathered to welcome the distinguished visitor. On landing, the prince ELEAZEE WILLIAMS AS THE DAUPHIN. 33 and his retinue went to visit the famous rocks about half a mile from the town, and the steamer waited for them. While they were gone the captain sought out Mr. Williams and asked whether he was going to Green Bay, adding that the Prince had been inquiring about him and wished to see him. After the steamer had started, Captain Shook went to Mr. Williams and said that the Prince requested an interview! Mr. Williams replied that he was at the Prince's service, and the captain retired, returning soon with the Prince. On seeing Mr. Williams, the Prince started with involuntary surprise ; his manner betrayed great agitation of feeling ; he turned pale and his lip quivered as he shook hands with the supposed Indian. His emotion was noticed not only by Mr. Williams, but by the other passengers also, and> everybody, including the Prince's retinue, was astonished at the atten- tion bestowed upon the humble missionary. The royal party dined at a privaite table, and Mr. Williams was invited to take the seat of honour beside the Prince, but he excused himself, and took dinner with the other passengers. In the afternoon the acquaintance was resumed, the conver- sation being chiefly upon the early French settlements in America. During its course the Prince took occasion to re- mark that, on the journey, he left his suite at Albany and went in a private conveyance to the head of Lake George. The conversation went on till late at night and was resumed the next day, the Prince discussing with much interest the connection of France with the American Revolution and the sympathy manifested by Louis XVI. for the struggling colo- nies. He also alluded to the horrors of the French Revolu- tion, declaring that while Louis XVI. was personally innocent of the evils which caused that outbreak, the evils themselves were insupportable, and there was no question that the con- s. L. D 34 THE DAUPHIN IN AMEEICA. ELEAZEE WILLIAMS. dition of the French people had been greatly bettered since the establishment of an elective monarchy. On arriving at Green Bay, the Prince invited Mr. Williams to accompany him to his hotel; but Mr. Williams said he must go to his own home. The Prince urged him to stay, as he wished to consult him on matters of great importance, and Mr. Williams promised to return in the evening. He did so, and the Prince received him alone in his chamber, the members of his suite being in an adjoining room. The Prince opened the interview by saying that he had a communication to make which was of vital interest to Mr. Williams, and also deeply concerned himself and several other persons; he therefore wished to receive a promise that the secret should not be revealed. Mr. Williams objected to pledging himself without a knowledge of the nature of the information, but after some discussion consented to sign his name to an agreement not to repeat what the Prince was going to tell him, provided that no harm to other persons should follow from his silence. This being done, the Prince told him that he was not a native of America, but was born in Europe, the son of a king ; adding that although he had suffered poverty and exile, the Prince's own father had endured a like experience, the differ- ence between them being that Louis Philippe had been con- scious of his high birth, while Williams had been spared the knowledge of his origin. Mr. Williams was so much astonished by this revelation that he seemed to be in a dream. He suggested that the Prince could scarcely be in earnest in making such a state- ment, and if he spoke seriously, he might be mistaken in the person he was addressing. But the Prince assured him that he was not capable of ELEAZEB WILLIAMS AS THE DAUPHIN. 35 trifling with his feelings upon such a subject, and was amply , provided with proofs of the identity of his person. Thereupon Mr. Williams requested him to give him fuller particulars of the secret, and the Prince replied that before doing this a certain process must be observed, for the interest of all con- cerned. He then took out of his trunk a parchment, elaborately written in double columns, in French and English, which he placed on the table, where were already pen, ink, wax, and a costly seal. Mr. Williams was invited to read the parchment, and he remained a long time in contemplation of its astounding con- tents, the Prince leaving him undisturbed. From this document he learned that he was the son of Louis XVI., and rightful King of France, under the title of Louis- XVII. ; also, that he was requested to abdicate his rights and titles in favour of the reigning King, receiving instead a princely establishment, either in France or in America, to- gether with the restoration of the private property of the royal family, confiscated during the Revolution, or fallen after- wards into other hands. After a period of painful excitement and earnest thought Mr. Williams told the Prince that he could not consent to give up his own rights and sacrifice the interests of his family for any consideration whatever. The Prince reproached him for making such a decision, and accused him of ingratitude for refusing ofi'ers dictated by kindness and pity, reminding him that the king had not usurped his rights, inasmuch as he had come to the throne through election by the French people. In reply, Mr. Williams said, that as the Prince had placed him in the position of a superior, he must assume that position, 36 THE DAUPHIN IN AMERICA. — ELEAZEB WILLIAMS. and express his indignation at tHe conduct of the Orleans family, one of whose members was guilty of the death of the murdered king, while another wished to deprive him of his inherited rights. When Mr. "Williams declared his superiority in rank, the Prince stood in respectful silence. On separating for the night, he asked Mr. Williams to reconsider the matter, and not be too hasty in his decision ; but the next day, when the subject was again discussed, Mr. Williams gave the same answer ; and the Prince went away, saying, as he took leave, — " Though we part, I hope we part friends." Left to himself in that wild region, with the burden of his mighty secret weighing heavily upon his unsophisticated mind, the unhappy. missionary resumed his accustomed labours, say- ing nothing of the object of the Prince's visit, and only pouring out upon the pages of his journal the thoughts which afflicted him. He considered himself bound to silence by his promise to the Prince, not perceiving that by the very terms of the agreement he was free to speak, insomuch as by keep- ing back the revelation he was doing an injury to trimself and his descendants. Also, he knew that so strange a stoi'y would not be accepted as valid testimony by an unsympathis- ing public, since the interview had been without witnesses. Therefore, regarding the matter as entirely between the Prince and himself, and not likely to be productive of any results, he went quietly on his way ; and the pressing duties of active life soon cast into the background those few hours of awakened feeling, which seemed in the retrospect like a bewildering romance. But in 1848 the matter was again, brought to his considera- tion by a letter from a Mr. Thomas Kimball, containing start- ling intelligence, which Mr. Kimball had accidentally seen in a ELEAZEE WILLIAMS AS THE DAUPHIN. 37 newspaper at New Orleans, and had hastened to communicate to the person most concerned. This, information consisted in a confession made by a Frenchman, named Bellanger, who had recently died at New Orleans., On his death-bed he stated that he had assisted in the escape of the Dauphin from the Temple, and was the person employed to bring him to America, that the child was placed among the Indians, and was at the present time a missionary to the Oneidas, under the name of Bleazer Williams ; that the principal agent in the abduction of the Dauphin was bound by the sacramental oath of the Catholic Church never to divulge the secret ; but that he himself, being in America, and so near his end, had resolved to disclose his own share in the matter^ as the knowledge might be of some use to the unfortunate Dauphin, for whom he Had always felt the ten- derest affection. This communication had at first but little weight with Mr. Williams ; for though in noting the contents of the letter in his journal he alluded to the disclosures of Prince de Joinville in 1841, yet, as at that time he was not informed of the manner of his coming to America, nor who was the agent employed, he was not disposed to place implicit confidence in this new account. However, more deliberate reflection strengthened his interest in the Subject, and about a week after the reception of Mr. Kimball's letter he wrote (March 18th, 1848) to Eev. Joshua Leavittj of Boston, a sincere friend of his, and connected by marriage with the" Williams family, informing him of Bellanger's declarations- respecting the re- moval of the Dauphin to America. Mr. Leavitt sent the com- munication to a Boston newspaper. The Ohronotype, in which it was published, April 18th, 1848, 38 THE DAUPHIN IN AMBEICA. ELEAZEE WILLIAMS. In the autumn of 1848, Mr. Williams called on Mr. Leavitt and informed him that he himself was the Dauphin. In making this disclosure he appeared distressed and terri- fied, in view of the possible consequences of the revelation ; he also expressed regret at losing his claim of relationship to the Williams family, and declared that he should always retain his affectionate feeling towards them. From this slight beginning the news gradually spread, exciting occasional discussion, but not creating general in- terest until, in the autumn of 1851, Rev. John Hanson, an Episcopal clergyman, happened to see an article in a New York daily paper, wherein it was stated that there were strong reasons for believing that Eleazer Williams was indeed the son of Louis XVI., one reason being his remarkable resemb- lance to the Bourbon family. Mr. Hanson's curiosity was at once awakened, and he resolved to make further investigations. Soon afterwards he met Mr. Williams by accident, in travelling, and made his acquaintance, learning in the course of the conversation the principal incidents which gave evidence of his identity with the Dauphin, and convincing himself by close observation that at all events the stranger was not an Indian. After separating from his interesting acquaintance, Mr. Hanson was haunted by the story he had heard, and he proceeded without delay to make inquiries in the case. He recognised the difficulties in the way of establishing facts so contrary to the usual course of human experience ; he recog- nised also Mr. Williams' unfitness to cope with such- difficul- ties, and he determined to do all in his power to bring the truth to light. On reading the account of his proceedings one is astonished to find what an amount of important evidence had long been ELEAZEE WILLIAMS AS THE DAUPHIN. 39 lying idle, by reason of the indifference of the witnesses, or of their absorption in affairs more closely connected with their personal interests. Mr. Williams had already told his story to Hon. J. C. Spencer, a distinguished lawyer of Albany, and when Mr. Hanson consulted that gentleman he acknowledged that the narrative had made " a great impression, a very, very great impression" on his mind; the more sp, that he was already knowing to the fact of the omission of the Dauphin's name in the funeral solemnities, held in Prance after the Restoration, for the royal victims of the Eevolution. Yet Judge Spencer had made no attempt to follow up the clue thus offered him, contenting himself with fearing that it was now too late to obtain positive evidence, and therefore the subject must re- main a mystery like that of the Iron Mask. Mr. Hanson next confided his plan to Rev. Dr. Hawks, who sympathised with his zeal and requested him to write down what he had said, which he did, and sent the statement to Dr. Hawks in the form of a letter. Dr. Hawks read the letter to several friends, and among them was Dr. Francis, a prominent physician of New York, who said that in 1818, he being one evening in a private company, the conversation turned upon the fate of the Dauphin, and Mr. Genet, formerly French Ambassador, who was one of the guests, said distinctly, — " Gentlemen, the Dauphin of France is not dead, but was brought to America," adding that he believed the Prince to be in Western New York, and that Le Ray de Chaumont knew all about the matter. Mr. Hanson made good use of the information imparted by Dr. Francis, and by diligent inquiry found out that Count Jean d'Angeley, another of the guests on that occasion, was associated with Le Ray de Chaumont in 1817, a year before Mr. Genet made that declaration. Count d'Angeley having 40 THE DAUPHIN IN AMERICA. — ELEAZER WILLIAMS. come to America with the Mayor of. Paris, Count Real, and both of these men having been in communication with Le Eay de Chaumont during their stay, which fact would seem to imply that their business concerned the interests of the Dauphin. Le Ray de Chaumont was a French nobleman, who went to America somewhere between 1794 and 1796, and bought an estate in St. Lawrence County, New York, and lived there in style until 1832, when he with his family returned to the ancestral castle in France. During his residence in America he associated freely with the Indians in Ogdensburg and St. Regis, and took a strong interest in politics. His residence was not far from the place where Mr. Williams was brought up ; he was living there when the boy arrived, and he con- tinued in the neighbourhood until his final return to France. It is scarcely possible that he did not know the main facts of the abduction, and his influential position in France renders it probable that he had something to do with Louis Philippe's attempted compromise. Mr. Hanson learned also from Mr. Williams that in 1819 or 1820 he met Le Ray de Chaumont, who inquired particularly concerning a French refugee named Col. de Ferriere, who had married an Indian woman and settled in Oneida, which at that time was also Mr. Williams' home. In speaking of De Fer- riere's troubles, Le Ray de Chaumont remarked that, after all, De Ferriere was not a greater sufiFerec than a member of the royal family whom both he and De Ferriere believed to be in America. Mr. Williams gave no particular heed to that state- ment at the time ; but the force of it came back after the revelation of the secret of his own origin. In 1816 or 1817, De Ferriere went to France, and took several Indians with him. Before starting he got Mr. Williams to sign his name three ELEAZEE WILLIAMS AS THE DAUPHIN. 41 times to some legal document. One of the Indians told after- wards that he was presented to some distinguished person in Paris, who asked him the name of the religious teacher in Oneida, and on his answering, " Bleazer Williams," he was asked if he was certain that Bleazer "Williams was there, and on his saying, "Yes," he was dismissed. De Ferriere was poor when he went to Europe ; he was rich when he returned home, and he afterwards kept up a correspondence with the royal family of Prance. The fact of his long residence in the neighbourhood of Eleazer Williams, and of his connection with the French king, renders it probable that he was stationed there to watch over the destinies of the abandoned Prince, be- ing associated with Bellanger and Le Ray de Chaumont, and perhaps other agents, in the enterprise. In the course of his investigation Mr. Hanson came upon certain other incidents which appeared to be connected with the secret of the Dauphin's concealment. Towards the end of the year 1 794, Duke de la Rochefoucauld Liancourt fled from the horrors of the Revolution in Prance, and came to Philadelphia, where he remained until May, 1795, when he started on a tour through the United States. After his return to France, he published his travels in a work of eight volumes; and among his experiences he relates that he, accompanied by another Frenchman and a servant, went from Philadelphia to Western New York, where they stayed awhile among the Oneida Indians, to which tribe he takes pains to say the St. Regis Indians belong. Afterwards they went to Canada, and associated with the Indians of that region. Prom Niagara they went to Kingston, where Liancourt re- mained while his friend Guillemard visited Quebec and Mon- treal. Later they returned to Oneida, where Col. de Ferriere 42 THE DAUPHIN IN AMERICA. ELEAZEE WILLIAMS. was then living. Thence they went to Albany, Troy, and Saratoga, being apparently in close vicinity to Lake George at the time of the delivery of the French boy to Thomas Williams. From Saratoga they went to Massachusetts, and stayed nearly a week in the town of Marlborough, at an hotel kept by a Mr. Williams, a descendant of the same family to which Thomas Williams belonged. After visiting Boston, these French strangers returned to Mr. Williams' house in Marl- borough, and went thence to Stockbridge, also a region full of Indians, where they made the acquaintance of another Mr. Williams, a man of social and political importance, founder of Williams College, and belonging to the same stock with the other persons of the name already mentioned. The journeyings of Liancourt were so entirely out of the common route of foreign travellers, and his diligent pursuit of the Williams family forms so striking a coincidence with the event which occurred at about that time in the home of the half-breed Williams on Lake George, that the student of the mystery is permitted to suspect a connection between the French gentleman, travelling ostensibly for pleasure, and the secret agents of an unknown power appearing suddenly, with their unconscious victim, among the savages of the American forest. The Williams family, although eminently respectable, were not more so than many other families of the same region, and not so likely as some other prominent citizens to be brought into contact with distinguished foreigners. Liancourt's object may have been to ascertain the position of Thomas Williams' relatives of unmixed race and civilized habits, with a view to the future prospects of the royal exile ; and the later arrangements for the boj's education may have ELEAZEB WILLIAMS AS THE DAUPHIN. 43 been connected with this singular journey, which could scarcely have been accidental, or prompted by any other circumstance than the recent arrival in the Indian hut of Thomas Williams. Another probable clue is found in the wanderings of Louis Philippe during his exile in the United States. ^ Soon after landing in Philadelphia in 1796, he, with his two brothers, went to Western New York and to the neigh- bourhood of De Ferriere's home; later they went to New Orleans, where Bellanger was living. There is no complete account of these travels in existence ; but it is very likely that Louis Philippe knew the facts about Bleazer Williams long before he sent' his son to hunt him up in 1841. Having exhausted all accessible sources of information, Mr. Hanson travelled to St. Lawrence County, in order to make direct inquiries of Mr. Williams, but failed to meet him, Mr. Williams being absent on a missionary tour. However, Mr. Hanson employed the occasion to ascertain particulars concerning the standing and reputation of Mr. Williams in the region where he had been best and longest known. From every quarter he received only praise of the man for his excellent moral character and single-hearted devotion to his arduous profession; while equally unanimous was the belief that he had no relationship with the family to which he nominally belonged, and not even a partial connection by birth and blood with the Indian race. He learned also that the reputed mother of Williams preserved a mysterious silence concerning him, that Eleazer's name was not in the baptismal register among the names of the other Williams children ; and that Thomas Williams and all of his offspring were dead. 44 THE DAUPHIN IN AMERICA.— ELEAZEE WILLIAMS. having been carried off by consumption, while Eleazer was free from any tendency to that disease. On the return journey, Mr. Hanson again visited Judge Spencer, of Albany, who told him that Professor Day, after his return from Europe, met Mr. Williams ; and during the interview, brought out a number of engravings which he had collected during his absence. Williams catching sight of one, a portrait, cried out in great excitement, — " Good God ! I know that face ! It has haunted me all my life ! " On looking for the name, it proved to be the portrait of the cruel Simon. Mr. Hanson wrote to Professor Day for further particulars, and was told that before the engravings were produced Williams had spoken of a frightful face which had haunted him for years ; and when he saw Simon's portrait — he could not see the name, as Professor Day kept that part of the picture covered — Williams said that the face was the same which had troubled him ao long, excepting that the one he knew was bald-headed. In the picture the man wore a hat; but as the inscription showed that he was fifty-eight years old when he was guillotined, it is probable that he was then bald. Judge Spencer said also that Williams told him of having heard from his reputed mother that when he was brought to the house two boxes containing clothing and other articles had been left there with him, one of which was carried off by a daughter of Thomas Williams when she married ; the other was supposed to be concealed in Montreal. Among the relics were three medals — one of gold, one of silver, and one of copper, exactly alike in other respects, being the medals strucl^ at the coronation of Louis XVI. and Marie Antoinette. The Indians sold the gold and silver medals in Montreal; ELEAZEK WILLIAMS AS THE DAUPHIN. 45 the gold one being seen at a later period in the possession of the Catholic Bishop of either Montreal or Quebec ; the copper one was leftj and subsequently was given to Mr. Williams. Soon after Mr. Hanson's return to New York, he was visited by Mr. Williams, who had heard of the ineffectual trip to the north, and answered the summons in person. Mr. Hanson improved the opportunity to the utmost, taking especial pains to examine and cross-question Mr. Williams concerning the interview with Prince de Joinville, and finding nothing to shake his faith in the narrator's honesty, while he was astonished at the comparative ignorance and indifference of Williams with regard to the bearing of some of the most important items of the evidence. In the course of the conversation, Mr. Williams happened to mention his journal, and Mr. Hanson at once inquired whether he had noted the circumstances of the Prince's visit. He said he believed he had j but it was a long time since he had examined his old papers, and most of them were at Gi'een Bay; however, some of his journals might be at Hogansburg. On his return thither, he sent the journals for 1841 and 1848. As before stated, Williams acquired the habit of keep- ing a journal from the example of his first teacher, Mr. Ely, and began the practice in 1808, going back in his account of himself to 1800, the year of his arrival at school in Long Meadow, Massachusetts. From that time he had kept a record of the experiences of his life; and in 1851 his journal numbered many volumes of manuscript. There were occasional breaks in the dates j but, fortunately, none at all for several days previous to the story of the meeting with Prince de Joinville. The general tone of the entries is earnest and devout; the 4(5 THE DAUPHIlSr IN AMEEICA. — ELEAZEE WILLIAMS. language plain; the details concerning practical matters. Pious ejaculations frequently occur ; and the impression left upon the reader is a strong conviction of the sincerity and simplicity of the writer's character. Mr. Hanson, in his work, "The Lost Prince," published copious extracts from Mr. Williams' journals, beginning with the earliest records, and going on through the experiences of the war of 1812, to what happened before, during and after the revelation of. the missionary's identity; but for the present purpose it is sufHcient to quote what bears directly upon the question at issue. Under the date of October 1st, 1841, occurs the following sentence, which proves that Mr. Williams was interrupted in important business and returned unexpectedly to the West :-r— "... I am strongly urged by the American party to remain and sustain their claim ; but there are certain circum- stances which have come to my knowledge which hasten me to return as soon as possible to Green Bay." October 4. — Mr. Williams was at Syracuse. After that date there is a break of a week ; the next entry being : " De- troit, Oct. 11th, Monday. — Arrived here this morning, and expect to go on this afternoon. My reflections to-day and yesterday upon death, judgment and eternity have been lively. Oh, that they may lead me to live more in preparation for those solemn events ! merciful Father, grant me true contrition and unfeigned sorrow for all I have thought and done amiss; quicken me by Thy Holy Spirit and enable me to live to Thee, and to glorify Thee in my body and spirit, which are Thine. I trust the sickness with which I have been afflicted has a tendency to drive me to think more upon God." " Oct. 14. — On board of the steamer. I have written to ELEAZEE WILLIAMS AS THE DAUPHIN. 47 Mr. Ogden, General Potter, and M. le Fort, the Onondoga chief." " Oct. 15tli, Friday evening. — On Lake Huron the day has been very pleasant. By the request of the passengers I officiated this evening; preached from Luke vi. 12. The audience were very attentive. I am again afflicted with a severe pain in my side. May I feel that I am in the midst of deathj and so number my days that I may apply my heart unto wisdom. My son is somewhat unwell." ***** "Mackinac, Oct. 16th, Saturday. — The steamer arrived here at two o'clock p.m. My son is somewhat indisposed, and on that account I am more willing to remain here until the Green Bay boat comes. I have had a pleasant interview with Rev. Mr. Coit, of the Congregationalist Church. Mr. C. has spent his time much among the Chippeway Indians. In his labours of love he has been successful. I trust many souls have been converted under his ministry. Evening. — It is proposed to have the Divine Service to-morrow at the Presbyterian Meet- ing-house. In the morning I am to officiate. " Mackinac, Oct. 1 7th, Sunday evening. — I performed the service this morning ; all the gentlemen of the garrison, the soldiers and the citizens of the place were in attendance. My subject was upon Apostasy, which gave great offence to Mr. . I find he has been excommunicated for his apostasy. Truth will have its own weight upon the guilty conscience. Rev. Mr. Coit preached this afternoon to the same congrega- tion ; his discourse was well adapted to the occasion, and was ieard ■^y^ith much attention. Several gentlemen of the place called upon me this evening, and I had a pleasant interview with them. I am invited to administer Holy Baptism to- morrow morning. Two soldiers called and asked for prayer- 48 THE DAUPHm IN AMEEICA. — ELEAZER WILLIAMS. books. I was only able to give them one, which, was accompanied with some tracts. My son is much better — still complains of pain in the head. May God give him grace to be submissive to His Divine will.'' "On Lake Michigan, Oct. 18th, Monday. — The regular steamer for Green Bay (for which we have been waiting) arrived in the port of Mackinac to-day, at twelve o'clock. His Royal Highness Prince de Joinville and his suite were aitong the passengers. On landing, the Prince and his party went immediately to visit the Arch Rock. In the meantime I had an interview with Captain Shook, of the steamer, who stated that the Prince had made inquiries of him, two or three times since leaving Buffalo, about Mr. Williams, the missionary to the Indians at Green Bay, and that as he knew no other gentleman in this- capacity, excepting myself, I must be the person, the object of his inquiry. I replied, ' That cannot be, captain. He must mean another person, as I have no acquaintance with the Prince.' " ' I shall now inform the Prince,' said the captain, ' that there is a gentleman on board of the same name as that of his inquiry, who is a missionary to the Indians at Green Bay.' " Upon this the captain left me, and in about half an hour he returned, and was followed by a gentleman, to whom I was introduced as the Prince de Joinville. I was struck by the manner of his salutation. He appeared to be surprised and amazed as he grasped my hand in both of his, which was accompanied by strong and cheering gratulations of his having had an opportunity to meet me, and that upon the surface of one of the inland seas in the Western world. ' Amazing sight ! ' he continued ; ' it is what I have wished to see for this long time. I trust I shall not be intruding too much on your feelings and patience were I to ask you some ELEAZEE WILLIAMS AS THE DAUPHIN. 49 questions in relation to your past and present life among the Indians. We, the Europeans, to satisfy curiosity, are sometimes too inquisitive. But I presume. Rev. Sir, it will be a pleasure to you to satisfy the curiosity of the stranger now before you, who is travelling over the country and lakes which were first discovered by our forefathers.' His eyes were intently fixed upon me — eyeing my person from the crown of my head to the sole of my feeb. " The Prince in his cursory remarks upon the first adven- tures of the French in these Western wilds was interesting. He spoke of La Salle, Father Hennepin and Marquette (the latter the first discoverer of the river Mississippi) in strains of commendation, as men of great courage and possessing the spirit of enterprise in an unparalleled de- gree. " He spoke also with regret of the loss of Canada to France. He would attribute this to the want of energy and foresight in the ministry ; that France could have easily, at that period, sent twenty thousand men into Canada, to maintain her pos- sessions in that quarter, as her naval force was then nearly equal to that of England." "October 19, Tuesday. — This morning the Prince resumed his observations upon the French Revolution, — its rise, its progress, and its effects upon France, and more particularly to the United States, — which were affecting and touching in the extreme. The awful catastrophe that fell upon France, the dissolution of the royal family, and the destruction of the king, he strongly asserted originated from the American Re- volution, and that the people in the United States can never be too grateful to the unfortunate Louis XVI. for his powerful interposition in their behalf. 'It is very evident,' said he, ' they do not duly appreciate the aid he afforded them in the S. L. E 50 THE DAUPHIN IS AMEKICA. — ELEAZEE WILLIAMS. day of distress. It is very evident also that from the very day when the Court of Versailles formed an alliance with America, the operations of the British against them were paralysed. The naval force of France rendered more essential service to their cause than the land force. The Atlantic sea was soon covered with ships-of-war and privateers ; these were a formidable barrier against England in sending her troops and munitions of war to America. In this war France lost thirty-five thousand men and twenty-five ships of the line. But for these powerful aids no monuments are raised to per- petuate their memory. Louis XVI. ought to be placed next to General Washington as a liberator of the American people. His interference in their behalf is attributed altogether to his political finesse and his hatred against England ; hence he is not entitled to their praise or thanks. But, Rev. Sir, were the American people duly to consider the important aid he gave them in their struggle with the mother country, its happy result, and the dreadful catastrophe that fell upon his govern- ment, his family, and himself, he would truly and justly be considered as a martyr to American independence. The King encountered an opposition from the Qount de Vergennes and the Court when he took the suffering cause of the Americans in hand. He was moved by the representation of the Ameri- can commissioners, and the Queen was no less urgent to save the sinking cause of the American people. My grandfather and father were present when the last struggle took place between the King and the ministry upon the article of alliance with the United Colonies of America. That day — it was a happy day for Americans, but for the King it was the day of his death ! Yes, Rev. Sir, on that day when the King put his name to the instrument, he sealed his death-warrant. The ingratitude of the American people towards the King's ELEAZEE WILLIAMS AS THE DAUPHIN. 61 memory is one of the darkest stains upon the stars and stripes of the American flag of independence.' " This afternoon the Prince expressed his wish to take my son with him to JPrance for an education. In connection with this he was informed that we had an infant who had not yet received baptism. He readily consented to stand as a god- father, and would give the name of his mother to the child, Butj alas ! on my first landing I received the melancholy intelligence that the lovely babe was in her grave — buried on the preceding Sunday ; service performed by the Rev. Mr. Porter, of the Congregationalist Church. When the news was communicated to the Prince, he appeared to sympathise with me, and remarked, taking me by the hand, ' Descendant of a suffering race, may you be supported in this affliction.' " About ten o'clock the Prince was pleased to enter' into his remarks, more particularly upon the family of the unfortu- nate King, which were, at first with me, somewhat curious and interesting ; but as he proceeded in his narration my feelings were greatly excited, as it filled my inward soul with poignant grief and sorrow, which were inexpressible. The intelligence was not only new but awful in its nature. To learn for the first time that I am connected by consanguinity with those whose history I had read with so much interest, and for whose sufferings in prison and the manner of their deaths I had moistened my cheeks with sympathetic tears. Is it so ? Is it true that I am among the number who are thus destined to such degradation, from a mighty power to a helpless prisoner of the State, from a palace to a prison and a dungeon, to be exiled from one of the finest empires in Europe and to be a wanderer in the wilds of America, from the society of the most polite and accomplished courtiers, to be associated with the ignorant and degraded Indians ? Degraded as they are as to 52 THE DAUPHIN IN AMEEICA. — ELEAZEB WILLIAMS. civilization and polite arts, yet I am consoled at the idea tliat I am among the lords of the soil of this western continent, who are as precious in the sight of Heaven as the usurpers of their territories ! O my God ! am I thus destined ? ' Thy will be done.' To be informed that I had rights in Europe, and one of these was to be the first over a mighty kingdom ; and this right is demanded of me to surrender, for an ample and splendid establishment. The intelligence was so unex- pected, my mind was paralysed for a moment ; it was over- whelming to my feelings. There was a tremor in my whole system, accompanied with a cold perspiration. The Prince saw my agitation, and left the room, with an excuse, for ten or fifteen minutes. "A splendid parchment was spread before me for signature, to be affixed with the stamp and seal of Louis XVI. After consideration of several hours, weighing the subject with much and cool deliberation, it was respectfully refused. In those awful and momentous moments it was happy that my mind was carried to the similar proposition and ofiers made to Louis XVIII. by Napoleon in 1802. Being impelled from a sense of duty to sustain the honour of kings for centuries, the same answer was given, — " ' Though I am in poverty, sorrow and exile, I shall not sacrifice my honour.' " Gracious God ! What scene am I passing through this night ? Is it in reality, or a dream ? My refusal to the demand made of me I am sure can be no earthly good to me, but I save my honour, and it may be for the benefit of the generations yet unborn. It is the will of Heaven. I am in a state of obscurity. So shall I remain while in this pilgrimage state. I will endeavour with all humility to serve the King of Heaven, and to advance His holy cause ELEAZEE WILLIAMS AS THE DAUPHIN. 63 among tlie ignorant and benighted people, which has been my delight. " Although the unexpected intelligence is a new source of trouble, which is already working in my inward soul with in- expressible sorrow, which will accompany me to my grave, yet I trust that almighty arm which has hitherto ' preserved me will now sustain me. To the God of my salvation I fly for comfort and consolation in this hour of distress. Let Christ be all and in all. Saviour of the world, have mercy upon Thy unworthy servant,' and for the glory of Thy name turn from him all those evils that he most justly has deserved, and grant that in all his troubles he may put his whole trust and confi- dence in Thy mercy, and evermore serve Thee in holiness and pureness of living, to Thy honour and glory. ' For with God nothing is impossible.' All that I have heard I will lay up in my heart with the greatest secrecy." " October 21, Thursday. — The Prince and suite left Green Bay yesterday at twelve o'clock, and lodged last night at Capt. John McOarty's, on the opposite side of the river to my residence. It rained all the afternoon. " The adieus between the Prince and myself were affection- ate ; he promised to write me on his arrival at New York. The gentlemen oflScers presented me with their cards ; were urgent to give them a call, should I ever visit France. May the best blessing of Heaven rest upon the whole party." " October 23, Saturday. — I have commenced to collect materials for a letter to be sent to the Prince de Joinville, in compliance with his request. My mind has been agitated since his departure, in consequence of the intelligence he communicated to me, which is startling in its nature. May God support me in these trying times, and keep my mind in a proper frame." 54 THE DAUPHIN IN AMEKICA. ELEAZEE WILLIAMS. " Little Kakalin. October 26. — Went down the Bay ; dined with Mr. Qaindre, His lady (a Eoman Catholic) informed me that the priest, Rev. Mr. Bondual, stated to her that the Prince was much pleased and highly gratified with his interview with vae, and that the information I had communicated to him of the first visits of the French traders into this section of the country was of great value to him, etc. I heard from the Prince this afternoon. I find he and his party had lodged at Gate's (a black man), in Stockbridge woods. This had created much laughter among some, I understand. He was compelled to do this, as there was no other house near, it being already dark and in the midst of a heavy rain." ***** " Oct. 31, Sunday evening. — This has been a solemn day with me on several accounts. My reflections have been upon my shortcomings to the great duties enjoined upon me by that holy religion which I profess. Why is it I am so much troubled with my spiritual state ? As to my foreign birth, it is not only new to me, but it is awful. This has changed my feelings materially. I am an unhappy man ; and in my sor- row and mournful state I would often, with a sigh, cry out, ' my father ! my mother ! It is done — it is past ; and my God ! I would humbly submit to Thy holy will in that which Thou hast done towards us. Thou hast dealt towards us as Thou didst towards Nebuchadnezzar in the days of old. We are afflicted and in a situation of degradation and poverty. Shall we remain thus till we know that the Most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever He will ? Holy Father, remember not our offences, nor the oS"ences of our forefathers, neither take Thou vengeance of our sins. Spare us, good Lord, whom Thou hast redeemed with Thy precious blood, and be not angry with us for ever. Oh, grant ELEAZEK WILLIAMS AS THE DAUPHIN. 55 me grace to consecrate myself entirely to Thy service ; and whatever painful trials I may be called on to sustain, wilt Thou support me under them, and at length deliver me from them, for Christ's sake ? ' " ***** " Nov. 18. — I have just returned fi'om the Bay, and saw Mr. Ellis, who informed me Mr. Whitney had threatened to go against us in a suit. I have engaged Mr. F. to attend to this." *****, " Nov. 30. — From some circumstances which have transpired within two days past connected with the intelligence I have received from the Prince de Joinville, my mind has been, and is now, greatly exercised. Why should I think on this sub- ject, which is so unpleasant, or rather so afflictive ? Yet it obtrudes itself, as it were, into my mind in spite of my resist- ance. Oh, the fate of my dearest friends ! My soul is troubled within me at times on account of them. I seek comfort and rest, but I find none. The awful intelligence has made me wretched, to which, no language, no conception can be true. Hours have I spent in the solitary wilderness, mourning over my fate and the fate of my family. Why was it permitted that I should know this ? But to God, the Judge of all, I leave it." * * * * * , " Dec. 16. — Althougb I have had it in my head that I would read the history of the French Revolution, I have been afraid to read anything of the kind ,• but at length I have been in- duced to read a certain author, but my mind has been too much excited by the work, so that I have returned it to the owner." ***** 56 THE DAUPHIN IN AMERICA. — ELEAZEK WILLIAMS. " Dec. 24. — I am preparing to go down the Bay to attend the Christmas service at the Episcopal Church. Pleasant day. Somewhat indisposed." " Dec. 25, Saturday. — This has been a good day to me for my religious exercises. blessed Jesus, I praise Thee that Thou wert manifested in the flesh to be the Saviour of the world. Save me from my sins, I humbly beseech Thee." The next extract taken by Mr. Hanson from Mr. Williams' journal is dated seven years later, and contains the death-bed confession of Bellanger. " Green Bay, March 10, 1848. — In the letter I have received from Mr. Thomas Kimball, from Baton Eouge, Louisiana, my curiosity is somewhat excited, and it may be a novel news. " He states that the information he received from a respect- able gentleman was such a startling news with him as to induce him to communicate the intelligence to the person who was the subject of it, and with whom he was acquainted. He states by the death (in January last) of an aged and re- spectable French gentleman, either in New Orleans or Helena, that he made disclosures at the last hours of his life that he was the person who aided in the escape of the Dauphin, or the son of Louis XVI., King of France, from the Temple, in 1795, his transportation to North America, and his adoption among the Indians ; all this that he may live and be hidden and live beyond the reach of his enemies who had been murderers of his royal parents ; and that the person alluded to as the Dauphin is no other than the Rev. Eleazer Williams, the missionary to the Oneida Indians ; and that the gentleman who had the principal agency in the escape of the Dauphin was strictly and solemnly bound by the sacramental oath of the lioman Catholic Church never to disclose, particularly in ELEAZEE WILLIAMS AS THE DAUPHIN. 57 Europe, of the descent or family of the royal youth whom he was about to convey to North America ; and that it was not until he saw himself drawing near to a close of his earthly career that he would disclose the secret which had been locked up in his bosom for half a century, and that he would do this the more cheerfully now without infringing his conscience because he was in America, and that it may be a benefit to his most dear, beloved, but unfortunate friend the Dauphin. la uttering the last his whole frame was agitated, and he shed abundance of tears ; and that near one of his last exclamations was, ' Oh, the Dauphin ! May he be happy and restored ! ' "The intelligence is so improbable, it had no weight nor consideration with me ; and thinking at the same time there may be mistake as to the person, I shall wait patiently the meaning of all this for a further information from Mr. Kimball upon this new and mysterious subject." " March 13. — Went to Green Bay and dined with the Rev. Mr. Porter, and had a long conference with Judge Aindt re- specting the Oneidas, with whom he is at war in relation to some lumber which he purchased." "March 15. — Went to the Sugar Camp with Mr. Wartmen to make some inquiries. This is a beautiful day, and it was delightful to be among the lofty pines." "March 16. — Received some letters from my friends in Oneida, in one of which I am informed that my father is in a feeble state of health." " March 18.— I wrote to-day to the Rev, Joshua Leavitt, of Boston, in which I recapitulated the intelligence I had re- ceived from Mr. Kimball, in relation to the Dauphin of France. On mature reflection upon the subject, I must confess the news is becoming more startling with me. It is true that I have no recollection of my existence in the world until at the 58 THE DAUPHIN IN AMEBICA. ELEAZEE WILLIAMS. age of thirteen or fourteen ; what passed with me previous I am unable to decipher. Since my recollection is perfect, there are some incidents connected with my life, I must confess, which are strange, and which I am unable to , reconcile with each other. The suspicion in the minds of some that I am not the son of Thomas Williams may be mistaken ; and the story of Vanderheyden of Albany, in 1814, has created in my mind an idea that I may be an adopted child, as I find the Iroquois have adopted more than sixteen persons of both sexes of the Canadian origin.'" " March 24. — I have written to Mr. L., of Boston, and sent the letter containing the mysterious news in relation to my origin. Although this melancholy subject was communicated to me in 1841, and now again it is renewed and brought be- fore me from another quarter, I may truly say that as often as the subject is brought to the mind the eyes of the afflicted man are filled with tears." "Yes, in 1841, when the awful intelligence was communi- cated to me, my blood seemed to chill, and my heart to rush into my throat, and I became affected in a manner which I now find it difficult to describe. May I humbly submit to the will of Heaven, Oh, for more grace and Christian resig- nation ! " March 27. — Last evening there were several of the Oneidas lodged at my house, who made great inquiries after the history of the primitive Church. They were referred to the day of Pentecost, and I dwelt largely upon it. They were very thankful for the instruction." " March 28. — Went to Grand Kakalin, called upon Mr. Grignor and dined with him, and soon Governor Doty joined with us. " This evening I am invited to go to the Oneida settlement. ELEAZEE WILLIAMS AS THE DAUPHIN. 69 to attend the funeral of one of the warrior chiefs. He was a communicant." " April 3. — "Went to Green Bay and was at the Fort, and had a Jong conversation with , He is an infidel. May the Lord show him the error of his ways. I have had many such people to deal with." Thus far the testimony of the journal. Surely no candid reader can refuse to believe in the genuineness of the docu- ments. Mr. Hanson saw the original manuscripts, and he said they were evidently written at the time alleged, those important entries occurring in regular order and so connected with what went before and followed after as to have made interpolation impossible. Aside from its remarkable statements, this journal is of great value, both as a proof of the excellence of Mr. Williams' moral character and as showing his intellectual limitations, which last are sufficient to account for whatever appears strange and inconsistent in his conduct respecting this matter. Not only is the style of the composition that of a partially- educated foreigner, betraying an insufficient knowledge of the grammar and rhetoric of the English language, but the con- tents give evidence of a mind not altogether normal in its workings. Thus, after knowing that Prince de Joinville desired and expected to meet him at Green Bay, he told the captain of the steamer that some other person must be meant, as he was not acquainted with the Prince ; this apparent contradic- tion being afterwards explained by his acknowledged tem- porary conviction that after all the Prince must have been mistaken in supposing him to be the man he was looking for. 60 THE DAUPHIN IN AMEBICA. — ELEAZEE WILLIAMS. Agaiiij having once become impressed with, the idea that it was his duty to keep secret the announcement made by the Prince, he did not reason further, nor perceive that the very terms of his promise left him free to disclose what would in- jure his descendants to keep unrevealed. Again, after recording several times the evidently severe mental struggles he underwent in consequence of the feelings awakened by the tardy knowledge of his early undeserved sufferings and his enduring, irreparable wrongs, he could for- get that experience so far as to make the revelation of Bel- langer a surprise and a matter of doubt when, seven years later, it was offered to his contemplation, and could fail to perceive at first the immense importance of that discovery as a sequel to De Joinville's narration; just as he was afterwards unconscious of the value of his journal as evidence, and only spoke of its contents by accident in illustration of some other subject. Mr. Hanson, in his process of investigation, was often struck by Mr. Williams' inability to grasp the connection between the various items of evidence which gradually accu- mulated in favour of the truth of his story. It is plain that this man, exceptionally gifted by nature, was incurably hurt in body and mind by the cruelties inflicted upon him in childhood. Not only was his physical health extremely delicate, involving much suffering and frequent severe illnesses, also his mental balance was continually dis- turbed and threatened by the jarring contrast between in- herited tastes and associations and the ideas and occupations imposed upon him through his transfer to a New World and a new existence, so that he never developed his real self, remain- ing always abnormal in character as in destiny. One thing is certain : the man who could note such wonder- ELEAZEE WILLIAMS AS THE DAUPHIN. @ ful facts in his jourual and then go on living the same humble, self-denying life he led before, keeping the secret with all diligence because he considered his word pledged to silence, never regretting the worldly splendours he had rejected, in- different to possible favours of fortune, even after the mys- tery had been solved by other agencies, and though pro- foundly unhappy, neither ambitious nor proud, — such a man cannot be accused of imposture, and the fact that Eleazer Williams did not demand his rights either for himself or his posterity is a strong proof that his claim was just and his story true. It was in the autumn of 1851 that Mr. Hanson began the investigations which brought Eleazer Williams before the world as the lost Dauphin. (And just at this time the Dauphin's sister, the Duchess d'Angouldme, was dying in Europe, enduring in physical pain and mental anguish the last few days of a life hopelessly saddened through her knowledge of the secret which she could not control and dared not reveal. She died October 19th, 1851, and on her deathbed she sent for General Larochejacquelein, an old and trusted friend of the exiled family, and said to him, — " General, I have a fact, a very important fact, to reveal to you. It is the testament of a dying woman. " My brother is not dead. " This is the nightmare of my whole life. Promise me to use all possible means to find him. See the holy father ; see Martin's children ; travel by land and sea to discover some of the old servants or their descendants j for France can never be happy and tranquil until he is seated on the throne of his fathers. Swear to me that you will do what I askl I shall at 62 THE DAUPHIN IN AMEEICA. ELEAZEH WILIilAMS. least die in peace. It seems to me already ttat the weight upon my breast is less heavy." In this pathetic appeal it is evident that the Duchess was nVt thinking of any of the pretenders who had at different times arisen to mock her sorrow and disturb her privacy. Naundorff had died six years before ; Richemont was living not far away. She meant the exile in a distant land, of whose fate she knew nothing excepting that he was still alive| It is a curious coincidence that the first earnest endeavour to determine the identity of Bleazer Williams with the Dau- phia should have begun at the close of the Dachess's life, and it is greatly to be regretted that the precise date of the meet- ing between the missionary and his biographer, and of other decisive steps in Mr. Hanson's proceedings, cannot now be ascertained. The coincidence is the more striking from the fact that the main items of the secret were revealed in 1848, and yet the story slumbered three years longer, and seems not to have sent even a whisper across the sea. A student of psychology might easily suspect a connection between the mental yearnings of the Duchess on her death- bed and Hanson's unconscious response in his sudden and generous devotion to the interests of the neglected missionary; while believers in a future life, and in the possibility of com- munication with departed spirits, might be pardoned for seeing in this array of circumstances a proof that the sister in her new sphere of existence had found out all the mystery, and was helping the brother whose misfortunes had destroyed her happiness on earth. But, without seeking to go behind the facts of the case, it seems oppressively sad that the Duchess should have died ELEAZEE WILLIAMS AS THE DAUPHIN. 63 unconsoled, when, if she could have lived a few months longer, she might have heard of the wonderful discovery across the sea, which she, at least, would not have allowed to lapse into forgetfulness, and which, with her sympathetic aid, might have developed into absolute certainty for the world at large, while restoring happiness to the two beings who had suffered most from that long and cruel separation. In October, 1852, Mr. Hanson wrote to Mr. Williams for any additional information he might be able to furnish, and asked his consent to the publication of the facts already noted. In reply, Mr. Williams informed him that he had recently received a letter from the secretary of the President of, the French Republic (Louis Napoleon) making respectful inquiries concerning the events of his life, also similar letters from several French bishops and from a cardinal ; but he had not answered those letters, because the subject was very "afflic- tive " to him. " It has been, and is," he continued, " a very great annoy- ance, from which I would gladly be delivered. You cannot be surprised, reverend sir, when I say that my feelings have been such at times as no pen can describe, no tongue express. I am in a state of exile among the Indians, and compelled at times to beg my bread, although connected with a Christian Church who has means in abundance to sustain her humble and self-denying missionary honourably. It is true I am al- lowed a little pittance, which is scarcely enough to clothe me ; yet I still continue to labour patiently in the cause of my Divine Master, who suffered and died, but is now my exalted Saviour. I seek not an earthly crown, but heavenly, where we shall be made kings and priests unto God — to Him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Nothing keeps me in my present position but that gracious promise of my blessed 64 THE DAUPHIN IN AMERICA. ELEAZEE WILLIAMS. Saviour : ' Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.' " Mr. Williams' conduct respecting those very significant letter^, together with the sentiments expressed in his private communication to Mr. Hanson, afford sufficient proof of the absence of any desire or endeavour to make himself the hero of a romantic story, and also show conclusively that the man was utterly incapable, not only of conceiving and carrying out a clever imposture, but even of making a judicious use of un- deniable facts and of important evidence placed at his dis- posal. The same lack of constructive ability is displayed through- out his whole career. A well-balanced mind, gifted with as much brightness as his undoubtedly possessed, would have recognised the existence of a mystery long before the secret was revealed, and would have been ready to combine the various pieces of evidence into an overwhelming mass of proof as soon as the right clue was offered. The visit of the French stranger and his deep emotion ; Mrs. Williams' remark about " the strange boy " j the questions of his neighbours at Long Meadow ; his own fleeting memories of childhood ; Chev- reux's inquiries respecting a French boy left among the Indians ; the interest of the Romish priesthood in his affairs ; Richard's suggestion that he was of higher rank than an Indian chief, and his intimation that the Abbe Calonne knew the secret ; Le Ray de Chaumont's allusion to a member of the royal family living unknown in America ; his own scrib- bling of the words " dioc " and " Loui " during his mental derangement — all these items were links which only awaited Prince de Joinville's revelation to form an irrefragable chain of testimony. Tet Bleazer Williams did not perceive the connection, and ELEAZBE WILLIAMS AS THE DAUPHIN. 65 never would, of himself j have attained the result; still less was it in his thoughts to make any ambitious use of the •curiosity and interest which his presence invariably inspired. It is obviously impossible to charge this man with impos- ture; his inability to appreciate his position was really another ■proof of his identity with the crippled and blighted scion of a royal stock. In 1853j Mr. Hanson embodied his researches in an article entitled, " Have we a Bourbon among us ? " which was pub- lished in the February number of Putnam's Magazine (New York), and created immediate and widespread interest among American readers, its contents becoming known also to a few inquiring minds in the Old World. Several copies were sent to Prance, and a German translation, prefaced by a long and sympathetic explanation, was printed the same year at Dessau. In America, opinions concerning the revelation were diverse. Some persons considered the story too romantic to be true ; ■others disbelieved in the existence of the journal ; others, again, saw in the affair a deliberate plot on the part of certain Protestant clergymen to injure the Catholic Church ; however, the majority of competent and unprejudiced judges of the testimony were convinced of its importance, and the desire was general to have the matter fully investigated. At this time Mr. Williams was staying in New York, en- gaged in the publipation of his translation of the Prayer-Book into the Mohawk language; an opportunity was thereby offered for a thorough examination of his claims, and he soon became the centre of interest to a large circle of intelligent observers. Among his visitors were many persons, especially Frenchmen, who were familiar with the physical characteris- tics of the Bourbon race, and were therefore extremely critical S.Ii. S' 66 THE DAUPHIN IN AMERICA. — ELEAZEE WILLIAMS. in their study of Mr. Williams' personal appearance. In every case he stood the test of severe examination, the slight variations from the acknowledged type being entirely in har- mony with the peculiarities of the Dauphin's face, as trans- mitted in authentic portraits. Thus, one Frenchman pro- nounced Mr. Williams' nose not sufficiently aquiline for the true Bourbon type ; but the same difference was very marked in the nose of the Dauphin as a child. Again, ' some per- sons, trusting to descriptions of the Dauphin in popular his- tories, objected to the colour of Mr. Williams' eyes, which were brown, whereas, it was thought, they ought to be blue. But on investigation it was found that in an authentic por- trait belonging to the Bryan Gallery in New York the eyes were hazel. This picture formerly belonged to a royalist, a well-known connoisseur and collector, M. Prousteau de Mont Louis, in Paris, and was bought by Mr. Bryan ■ at the sale of the collection in 1851. Other features and characteristics — the ear, the jaw, the form and pose of the head, the length of the body, the com- parative shortness of the legs, the gestures of the hands — were in exact conformity to the distinguishing traits of the Bourbon family, the resemblance to Louis XVIII. being es- pecially striking. Two eminent portrait painters. Chevalier Pagnani and Mr. MuUer, were among the persons who made a study of this subject, and their conclusions were decidedly in favour of the Bourbon theory. Muller, a pupil of David and Gros, was familiar with that type, and had been employed to take the picture of Louis XVIII. after death. He declared that the similarity was marked and minute, also that the eyes of Mr. Williams were exactly like those of the Dauphin in portraits he had seen in Prance. ELEAZEE WILLIAMS AS THE DAUPHIN. 67 Fagnani first saw Williams in a crowded roonij and watched liitn for a time without approaching nearer, then turned aside, as though satisfied with his observations. A friend inquired : " Well, Fagnani, what do you think as to his being a Bourbon ? " And Fagnani replied : " I don't think at all ; / hnow ! " He also wrote a letter to Mr. Hanson, giving his opinion in full, and expressing his belief that Williams was the Dau- phin ; and later he painted his portrait. An European gentleman of high rank who happened to see Mr. Williams in the pulpit remarked to a friend beside him : " There, that is the Bourbon they have found, if there is any truth in physiognomy ! " and afterwards he expressed his belief, founded on what he knew of the opinions of the Legiti- mist party, that the Dauphin was still alive, and his own con- viction that Williams must be the man. On one occasion a French officer, formerly belonging to the body-guard of Louis XVIIL, said that the longer he observed Mr. Williams the more strongly he was reminded of the King, not only by the similarity of feature, but also of bearing and gesture. Many Frenchmen, who before seeing Mr. Williams were entirely incredulous, changed their manner at once on coming into his presence, and began to speculate upon the probable political consequences of the discovery, not being able to com- prehend that Mr. Williams' training and profession prevented any desire on his part for political elevation, A natural son of Louis XVIII., Count de Balbi, was at that time in America, and the resemblance between him and Mr. Williams was so striking that many persons recognised the one from having seen the other j also, strangers desirous of seeing Williams, and meeting him accidentally in the street. 68 THE DAUPHIN IN AMERICA. — BLEAZEE WILLIAMS. accosted him by name, merely from his likeness to the Bourbon pictures. All this would not have been so strange if Williams had been in Europe, where there are, doubtless, many illegiti- mate and unacknowledged Bourbons ; but the fact became strongly significant when an individual exhibiting not only the traits of the Bourbon race in general, but of the lost Dauphin in particular, was found in the wilds of the opposite hemisphere, among savages with whom he had nothing in common. An important witness to the individual characteristics of the Dauphin exists in the form of a curious relic, which for more than a hundred years has lent peculiar interest to the seaport town of Nantucket, Massachusetts. This object is. the wax figure of a baby brought to America from France in 1786 by Captain Jonathan Coffin on his last voyage, and evidently smuggled, having been secreted in the upper part of an old clock case. Captain Coffin never would tell where he got it, nor what he paid for it ; but he declared that it was made from a cast of the Dauphin, taken when he was six months old. He brought it home as a pleasant sur- prise for his little daughter, he having already written her that he would bring her something no other child ever had. The image is evidently taken from life ; and, as no dupli- cates have ever been heard of, the captain's account is pro- bably authentic. The figure represents a baby in a sitting posture, and is as large as an infant of six months. The head, hands and feet are of wax ; the body is of cloth, stuffed hard, like a doll. The hands and feet are dimpled, and beautifully moulded j the position of each member is different and strikingly natural ; the ears are perfect j the hair is of combed wax, and remark- /ICiuiC' -HoiM^y in.eym/ a/ Wai^in- •lM^ JuJoc^iAm^. ELEAZEE WILLIAMS AS THE DAUPHIN. 69 ably like real hair ; it is thick, but not curly. The eyes are dark ; the lips are open, showing a tooth. The colour of the face is like that of a mulatto ; and the change in the wax has been so gradual that no one can say what was the original hue. The expression is alert and intelligent; the head is turned slightly to one side, and the eyes look eagerly forward, as though attracted towards some interesting object. This doll was cherished as a great treasure by Captain Coffin's daughter for many years. Finally, pecuniary losses induced her to sell it to a playmate of her childhood, in whose family it is still retained. It has always been one of the " sights " of Nantucket, and does good service in charitable enterprises of that region, when it is always exhibited for a fee, and brings in generous returns. Nobody remembers now whether, or how, it was dressed on its arrival from France ; at present it wears white baby- clothes, in accordance with the asserted age of its prototype. The artistic excellence of the work shows that it was a por- trait figure, and not a toy; and Captain Coffin's reticence respecting its antecedents would seem to imply some irregu- larity with regard to the original transfer of ownership. People who have seen portraits of the Dauphin in France declare that this figure resembles those pictures, and has a thoroughly Bourbon cast of countenance. It certainly resembles the portraits of Eleazer Williams ; and the fact that the eyes are dark and the hair not curly is another fatal argument against NaundorflF's pretensions. The next step in the process of investigation was the examination of Mr. Williams' body by three of the principal physicians of New York, Drs. Francis, Kissam, and Gerondelo, 70 THE DAUPHIN IN AMEEIOA. — ELEAZEE WILLIAMS. who gave the result in a carefully written statement, which was duly published. They decided that Mr. Williams was an European, pre- sumably of French origin, he being entirely devoid of the anatomical peculiarities of the Indian race. The scars on his knees, elbows, and wrists showed that in early life he had suffered from a morbid condition of the system, such as would be induced by impure air, unwholesome food and mental distress ; but the tumours which caused those scars were evidently hot scrofulous, although they might have been aggravated by a slight hereditary taint of that disease in the blood. There were traces of wounds over both eyes, the principal scar being on the right side of the forehead. The upper part of the left arm bore marks of inoculation, one of which was in the form of a crescent. This scientific report is the more valuable because at the time it was made those physicians did not know that Dr. Dessault had declared that the tumours on the Dauphin's body were not scrofulous, but only aggravated by a slight scrofulous tendency, and they supposed the fact of the absence of developed scrofula fatal to the claim of Williams to be the Dauphin. Afterwards it was discovered that their verdict coincided exactly with the opinion of Dessault. The scar over the right eye corresponded to the well-authenticated blow inflicted by Simon, which came near cutting out the Dauphin's eye. The marks of inoculation were exceedingly valuable testi- mony, as inoculation was unknown to the Indians at the time of Eleazer's appearance among them, and the operation had not been performed within his remembrance. Another physician. Dr. Walker, of Hogansburg, who knew Bleazer Williams well, and whose professional work was ELEAZEE WILLIAMS AS THE DAUPHIN. 71 largely among the St. Regis Indians, was asked to examine scientifically Mr. Williams and also several Indians, and give his report in writing. He did so, declaring that Williams had no ethnological connection with the Indian race, his form, features, texture of skin and quality of hair being entirely different. Immediately on the publication of Mr. Hanson's article in Putnam's Magazine, copies were sent to Prince de Joinville, ■whose reply was awaited with eager interest. It came promptly, in the shape of a letter from the secre- tary of the Prince, M. Trognon, to the London agent of Mr. Putnam, and showed plainly the policy which the Prince was determined to pursue respecting the affair. M. Trognon declared that at first the Prince was disposed to treat the absurd invention with the indifference it deserved ; but in view of the fact that a small portion of truth was mingled with the great mass of falsehood, he considered it wiser to state what really happened in his intercourse with this Pretender. On arriving at Mackinac he met on board the steamer a passenger resembling the portrait in the magazine, whose name he had since forgotten. He entered into conversation with this man, who related many curious anecdotes respecting the connection of the French with the early history of North America, which he had learned from his father, who was of French origin (descended from a personage whose name the Prince preferred not to repeat), his mother being entirely Indian by descent. These communications were extremely interesting to the Prince, whose voyage to Mackinac, Green Bay, and the Upper Mississippi was undertaken expressly for the purpose of visiting the scenes made memorable by the 72 THE DAUPHIN IN AMEBICA. — ELEAZEE WILLIAMS. experiences of his countrymen in opening up those regions- to civilization. The Prince asked Mr. Williams (since that was the name- of his interlocutor) to send him in writing all the informatiott he could gather respecting the French settlements, and Mr. Williams, on his part, requested copies of documents upon the- same subject from the French archives. On arriving at Green Bay, where the Prince was detained half a day, owing to the difficulty of procuring horses for his- journey, Mr. Williams invited him to visit an Indian settle- ment near the town ; but he declined, and continued his journey as soon as possible. Afterwards, letters were ex- changed between Mr. Williams and certain persons in the- service of the Prince concerning the documents in question. These facts constituted all there was of truth in the- narration ; the asserted revelation by the Prince respecting Mr. Williams' birth and the history of Louis XVII. being- entirely imaginary and false. In conclusion, any person desirous of ascertaining the fate- of the Dauphin was advised to consult a book recently pub- lished in Paris by Beauchesne, containing the most circum- stantial and positive details of the mournful tragedy. This declaration of Prince de Joinville was intended to be final, and it really was accepted by many persons as sufficient proof of the absurdity of Mr. Williams' story. But even a slight comparison of the Prince's statements- with well established facts shows the falsity of his assertions. He pretended that he was entirely ignorant of the exist- ence of Eleazer Williams until he met him accidentally at Mackinac, the truth being that he began to ask about him. immediately on landing at New York, and caused a letter to- be sent to him which made him leave important business and ELEAZEE WILLIAMS AS THE DAUPHIN. 73 start for the West to meet the Prince at Green Bay, the place appointed for the rendezvous. This /act of the early and frequently expressed desire of Prince de Joinville to meet Mr. Williams was testified to by persons in New York of whom he made intimate inquiries, also by Mr. George Raymond, then an ofiBcer in the Brazilian service, who was with the De Joinville party from New York to Green Bay, and to whom the Prince several times men- tioned his strong wish to find Mr. Williams and have an interview with him ; also by Mr. James 0. Brayman, one of the editors of the Buffalo Courier, who was a passenger on the steamer which carried Prince de Joinville from Bufialo to Detroit and heard a conversation between the Prince and Mr. Beaubien, a citizen of Detroit, wherein the Prince asked many questions respecting the whereabouts and occupation,, and even the personal appearance of Bleazer Williams, saying,.. in conclusion, " I shall see him before I return" ; and finally by Captain Shook of the steamer Columbus, who introduced. Mr. Williams at the Prince's request, and who was surprised- at the emotion manifested by the Prince, and at the remark- able deference of his manner towards the humble missionary. Mr. Williams' statement that he received a letter from Mr. Ogden, of New York, written at the request of the Prince,, and desiring Mr. Williams to meet him at Green Bay, seems to be confirmed by the entries in his journal, and the fact that he left his business unfinished and started suddenly for Green Bay is attested to by his host at Hogansburg, who shortly afterwards received a letter from Williams, explaining- that he left on account of an intimation that the Prince was on his way to Green Bay, and he was just in time to meet him on the route. Mr. Ogden's letter was not produced in evidence; but i£ 74 THE DAUPHIN IN AMEEICA. ELEAZEE WILLIAMS. preserved it was probably among the mass of papers left iu Northern New York ; although it is possible that Mr. Williams did not keep it, he being habitually careless in that respect, and at that time having no suspicion of the object of the Prince's desire for an interview, supposing it to have reference merely to historical information which an Indian missionary would be capable of furnishing. This testimony shows also that the Prince could not have told the truth when he said that he had forgotten Mr, Williams' name, and there is further evidence to the same effect in the letters written at his dictation by his secretary some time after the Prince's return to Prance, to say nothing of the letter written by the King thanking Mr. Williams for his attentions to his son. It is true that the communications on both sides had reference solely to historical information; but certain ex- pressions contained in them appear to witness to the truth -of Mr. Williams' account of the private interview between himself and the Prince. » Thus, in a note accompanying the first sending of memo- randa, Mr. Williams gives as a reason for his pleasure in ■collecting such material : " I am desirous to sustain the honour of the French name in these ends of the earth," which declaration would have no meaning if uttered by an Indian. Again, in a letter written in 1843, he says to the Prince : " To travel over the Western lakes and country, as you did, ■which were formerly traversed by the enterprising spirits of our •forefathers, whose names are celebrated in America to this -day, must have been highly gratifying." That expression "our forefathers" could not have been ■used with propriety unless he knew that the Prince considered ELEAZER WILLIAMS AS THE DAUPHIN. 75 ihim a Frenchman, nor even then to a person of the Prince's rank, unless he knew himself to belong to the same class. The letters written to Mr. Williams at the command of the Prince, by his secretary, are exceedingly courteous, and in one •of them Mr. Williams is assured that if he should ever visit Prance he would be received by the Prince with pleasure. As a mere show of politeness such an invitation would have tbeen in bad taste, as nothing was more unlikely than that the .poor and obscure missionary would ever present himself at the French Court ; but as an intimation that if he should change his mind respecting the Prince's offer an opportunity for negotiation would be granted the suggestion is explainable and pertinent. The letter written by the King was merely to thank Mr. Williams for his attentions to the Prince; but although the -contents were so unimportant, the fact of its being written at all is significant. That letter (together with those sent by the secretary of Louis Napoleon, and by the French ecclesiastics) was accidentally burned ; but that it once existed is proved by £1, communication from the French Consul General, dated at New York, April 16th, 1844, which announces a letter and a parcel of books sent to Mr. Williams by the King of the French. With regard to the contested nature of the interview be- tween the Prince and Mr. Williams, there is a strong item of evidence in favour of Mr. Williams' veracity in the communica- tion made in 1848, at Brest, to Mr. George Sumner, by a French naval officer who accompanied Prince de Joinville to Green Bay. Taking pains before speaking to ascertain that there was no ^ne else within hearing, he told Sumner that there was some- thing very singular in the American trip of the Prince, who went out of his way to meet an old man among the Indians, 76 THE DAUPHIN IN AMERICA. — ELEAZEE WILLIAMS, who had very much of a Bourbon aspect, and who was spokerr of as the son of Louis XVI. Now this supposition of Mr. Williams being the Dauphin must have originated in the party of the Prince, for at that- time such a theory had never been advanced in America, and, according to the Prince's own story, Mr. Williams spoke of his mother as a full-blooded Indian. The officer was right in another respect. De Joinville most bertainly " went out of his way " in visiting Green Bay, if, as- he asserted, the object of his journey was to see places con- nected with early French history in America. There was nothing' of interest in or near Green Bay for such a traveller. Indeed, the route taken by the Prince is in itself strong evidence of some ulterior purpose in his wanderings, for he turned aside from regions full of French associations and went directly to a village containing only a modern palisade fort, Surrounded by a few insignificant Indian settlements,, going from thence by equally uninteresting ways, and appar- ently as fast as the limited conveniences of travel would allow, to St. Louis, and so on to other great centres of present enterprise. Another interesting bit of collateral evidence is the state- ment of an intelligent woman, a teacher in the Mission School at Green Bay, who declared that there was some great mystery about the visit of Prince de Joinville. She was much sur- prised at the deference of the Prince's manner towards Mr. Williams, and was struck by the change in Mr. Williams' conduct after the departure of the Prince. She said he often appeared abstracted, and as though suffering from some strong emotion. With regard to the motives of Louis Philippe in making Eleazer Williams acquainted with his origin, the opinion. ELEAZEE WILLIAMS AS THE DAUPHIK. 77 generally entertained by persons who accept the identity of Williams with the Dauphin is the only satisfactory one — ■ namely, that Louis Philippe, having been elected by the people, depended upon popular consent for continuance in his position, and knowing that the secret of the Dauphin's existence was in the possession of a number of persons besides himself, and might be disclosed at any favourable moment, he thought it wiser to forestall a, possible crisis by obtaining the signature of Louis XVII. to an abdication of his rights, offering in exchange a bribe supposed to be sufBciently tempting to win the immediate acquiescence of the companion of savages in a wild country. This attempt having failed, it seemed necessary to ignore the whole proceeding, and deny from beginning to «nd the statements of the other party. A plan of this kind to ensure the adherence of the Legiti- mists appears probable, in view of the Eling's effort to obtain the favour of the Bonapartists by bringing back the ashes of Napoleon to rest in French soil, he, doubtless, thinking that one powerful claimant of the throne being dead without a