"Joseph Bonaparte had chartered a boat for America, hoping to persuade his brother to join him. He failed, however, so during the night of the 24th to the 25th of July 1815 he embarked alone on the brig La Margaretha, accompanied by his Spanish aide-de-camp Unzaga, his cook François Parrot, his private secretary Louis Maillard and his interpreter James Carret.
They landed in New York City on the 20th of August. Calling himself the Comte de Survilliers, the former king of Spain was recognised by chance in his hotel. He was summoned by the mayor, Jacob Radcliffe, who advised him to seek asylum in the United States directly from the president, James Madison. So Joseph set out for Washington. On arriving in Philadelphia he was told that he would not be received, so as not to make his presence official. However, he was also told that he could remain in the United States as long as he kept quiet.
Joseph first stayed at a hotel in the former temporary capital, then rented a townhouse there with the help of the banker Stephen Girard. He later moved into a mansion, Lansdowne, to the west of the city. It was a place to stay while waiting for something better…."
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Armand
paints brigs for the British fleet.
