The Lambertville press. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1858-1???, 1858-11-11


when scattered abroad to polute the fountains
! of society, and spread their poisonous influence
through the streams of social compact and or
der AS to this mode of living, it is the dan
ger alone that furnishes to ME its only charms :;
it is not for the sake Of wealth 1t is not for
the bad eminence of being a sovereign among
/ pirates; but it is because when once unfortu-
nate circumstances have made a man an outlaw,
! it is difficult to obtain admission into the pale
of society: it is because [ would willingly set
my life on the hazard of shot to free myself
from misfortunes, which have followed close
upon my heels ever since [ had an existence,
that you find me pirate, native of Bara-
tarian
IF I understand you then," replied, you
would not hesitate to leave this place and these
wretches to their fate if the past could be buried
in oblivion If your offences against the laws
could be cancelled and your safety ensured"
Were there none concerned but myself" he
answered." "you would be perfectly correct:
but these men | must not forsake- their safety
must depend on my own: - as to the rest | can
easily hear your implied assertion Of guilt with
out being offended it is scarcely possible for
you to feel otherwise but it is inevitable ne
cessity alone that compels me to endure my
present situations most gladly would quit it,
Il
to use my influence in restraining the atrocities
of these men in the most effectual manner posi-
be-" Perhaps not, y I replied, +" know the
chances are indeed small, but I think there is
one in which exists possibility of effecting your
wishes, and [ should be happy could be the
instrument of accomplishing them" Name
but the means by which it can be effected"
answered he with earnestness, " and | shall feel
myself forever indebted to YOU
" shall deal frankly with you," | replied
y / know not on which side your feelings are
enlisted in the contest which is at present rag
ing between the United States and Great Brit
ain but [ shall put the question plainly.
Would you yourself embark in the cause Of
America, and use your exertions to induce your
men to do SO, if an act Of pardon and oblivion
could be obtained under the Presidential SCALP"
Most Walhngly," he answered, "let but the
name of pirate be buried, and I pledge myself
that these men will be found among the brayest
defenders of the republic"
~ Then my best exertiohs shall be used in
your behalf your services will soon be wanted
whefe they will produce the most effect. Great
Britain is fitting out a powerful fleet in the
West Indies; which is probably destined against
New Orleans and from your thorough ac-
quantance with the whole coast of the Gulf,
and the necessity Of collecting formidable
force at that point, the Government Of the
United States would no doubt listen fayorably
to whatever oyertures might be made in your
behalf There is one favor however, which |
shall insist upon from you, and which you will
not refuse-a relation of the circumstances
which induced you to become what you now
appear to have been from youth; a pirate by
profession
'By profession" said he, smiling, ~ am a
pirate, but the time was, when was not. 1t
it win be gratifying to you to have knowledge
Of some of the events of my past life. [ shall
cheerfully comply with your request, although
the recital will call to my mind scenes which
have wrung my heart to its CENTRE
"The county Of West Chester, in the State
of New York, was my birthplace, my name
is Mortimer Wilson In what manner | ac-
CURED my present name you viii learn from my
story it is sufficient that to the pirate | am
known only as Laftte If to be born of honest,
industrious and respectable parents be an adj
vantage that advantage [ enjoyed to be
born of parents destitute of wealth. and COM
PEELED by misfortune to use every exertion to
support helpless and dependent family be q
disadvantage, | suffered. One of my earliest
impressions, and one that / distinctly remember
was determination to be rich; for my parents
feit the evils OF poverty; anu FieneS lhli1S-
ined, furnished the means of gratifying our
wishes, of whatever kind they might be. had
an uncle, living in the city Of New York, mer-
chant of responsibility, who, when on visit to
my fathers, noticed with pleasure my playful
ness, repartee, and independence, and obtained
my parents consent that | should live with him
in the city with the intention of introducing me
into the mercantile business should my progress
answer the expectations he had formed Of me.
| was then ten years old, and my situation with
my uncle was as agreeable as | could wish
His family was small; an only son and daughter
affectionate and lovely they treated me as a
brother, while being few years younger than
myself, obtained a complete ascendency over
4 them; and can safely say | knew no greater
delight than witnessing and partaking in their
! happiness. | gave my uncle, by my proficiency
in my studies, by my undertaking attention to
business, and the love felt for himself and family
the highest satisfaction; nor do / remember his
giving me single unpleasant word during the
whole time resided under his benevolent and
hospitable roof
Il had now reached my nineteenth year