Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1849-10-04
Lafitte, "the Pirate Of the Gulf

herolsm belonging IN any case to freebooters, cut
threats, conquerors, and with the many virtues
which never In any belong to these popular gen.
try, is cut down by the New Orleans Delta, to the
dimensions of wholesale smugger And a
smuggleT. too, who not even a common sailor,
in any a of blood. though he stands in
tradition and literature the prince of piratical nav
igators whom BeelZebub himself couldn't catch upon
the ocean, and perhaps The genteelest cutthroat of
all who were contemporaries with Napoleon Bona
parte.
The informant of the Delta is nn old French gen.
teman, who knew La6tte well, and says he was his
personal friend. We would suggest the Delta
that an old and very distinguished member of the
New Orleans Bar, could If he were disposed, and
might if he were properly approached, throw some
light upon the career of Iatte, would either ver
fly completely upset the representations OF Its in
formant The Dea's account of the wizard skip
per and bloOd-thlrsty pirate, is rs follows:
"Laftte," our companion continued, twas born IN
Bordeaux, and served his time the blacksmith
trade. He came to this country quite young man,
aid kept a little shop for time the levee.
Here he remained for several years, making an hon.
est living at his trade, when one day, he was per-
suaded by some Spaniards the levee-some of
whom now living in your city, in wealth and re-
spectabIity-tO go into the smuggling trade. He
went into partnership with the owner of vessel ira
ding between New Orleans and the West India
Islands He remained in the city TO dispose Of the
goods Struggled whilst his partner managed the ship
er vessels, and taking advantage of the confusion in
cident to the situation of louisiana in It's transfer
from Spain to France, and from France the United
States he located himself at Baraiaria bay opening
into the Gulf of Mexico, where his vessels unloaded
and their cargoes up small boats and pi-
rogues through the bayous and canals, 10 the Misss-
sppl, and were taken across the river in boats dis
guised those of planters. The articles thus SNUG
gled, were spOsee Of by numerous agents, and
handsame profits we're made upon them. After a
while, the attention of the Government being
ed to his operations, naval force, under the conn.,
mand of Captain Patterson, was sent down to break
them up.
Laftte and bis men made out to escape, but all
their property was confscated their houses burned Il
the ground and not a vestge remains of the es-
adjustment. Thus driven out to sea, La6tte's meu
took to their vessels, and were lodging about the
islands in the Gulf when the English invading force
arrived at the mouth of the Mississippi. Proposals
we're then submitted to LATTE, to allow him hand
some annuity and honorable position in the Eng
lish navy, If be would pilot the British force up Il
the city, inform them Of the most practicable route
for reaching the city LATTE immediately wrote
Governor Claiborne Of the proposal aud begged 10 b.
permitted fgb. under the flag of the United States
The Governor submitted his petition to General Jack
son, who freely granted their pardon, and gave theu
honorable position in the lines the 9Th January
when in charge OF the 15pounders, they did effect
i've service.
This is briefly the history Of Lafittc. He has beef
much vifed and traduced. The criminality Of hi
smuggling consisted in its being more open than muc
Of the smuggling carried on IN your city"
Our companion then proceeded TO relate many in
teresting incidents in Lafttes life some Of which
will endeavor to lay before readers in future mum
bers Of our paper. He concluded his narrative b
describing Laitte's personal appearance. "He wa
tall, rather raw-boned man. of lively black eye
pleasing face, sallow complexion, and good address
There was nothing Of the pirate freebooter abnu
|.
heart was IN the right place."
We understand that Mr.. VIM. NJ. Monroe has bee
appointed mail agent along the line of the Madiso
and indianapolis Railroad. Mr.. M. is a good mgu
Madison Banner, 18th.
MD fhc M ian