One of these was a lady named Madeleine Rigaud. Another, whom he visited regularly was Catherine Villars, whose sister Marie lived with and gave children to Pierre Lafitte. The second wife of Mrs. Claiborne seems even to have been attracted to him. By chance, both she and the privateer showed up at the same time at the home of a mutual friend, a plantation owner who lived along the Mississippi River. During dinner, legend has it, Lafitte's charms oozed to totally captivate the attentions of the governmental wife.
Unfounded rumors suggest a tryst afterward.
In no other field of activity is early New Orleans more identified with than that of dueling. Both Creoles and Americans practiced the sport to avenge their name or sometimes merely to impress their women. Insulted by a statement made by a congressman, Governor Claiborne was once compelled to cross swords, as were many other members of the gentry. Two popular dueling spots were the gardens behind the St. Louis Cathedral after Mass on Sundays or under the weeping willows of a park near Bayou St. John outside of town. One frequent practitioner was Jean Lafitte, adding the term swashbuckler to his romantic image.