Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1874-08-19
THEasPIRATE OF THE GUILE. =
Exploits and End of the Famous Lafitte.

From the Charleston News and Courier
| Jean Lafitte, ssPirate Of the Gulf, -
as he was usually called, was a French
man by birth, early enlisted in the
French navy, and soon fell into the
hands of the English, by whom he was
cruelty treated, kept a long time in
prison, and only liberated when
brought by confinement and torture to
the very borders of the grave. He
thus acquired hatred of the English,
which he took occasion to crafty on
occasion of the memorable attack on
New Orleans.
Of his early life more than the above
is not known. That he was wild, rest
less, and daring, cold, INSCRIPTIONS,
and cruel, may we'll be imagined. The
first positive glimpse we get Of his ma
ture life is at the Island of Grand Terre,
or Barataria, an undulating piece Of
| land, 5 or 6 miles long, some 60 miles
west of the delta of the Mississippi.
Here, in a good harbor, in q strong
natural position, made stronger by
forts and batteries well armed and
manned, Jean Lafitte, with 900 or 800
men and eight or ten vessels, establish
ed his headquarters about the year
1907. 5t..'l~
From this stronghold his clusters
went forth, sometimes under one flag
and sometimes under another, plunder-
! ing the rich merchantmen which were
traversing thegulf on the way to aprof-
table market. But Lahtte repealed the
appeallation of pirate. He claimed to
be only 'privateer. Spain had be-
come involved in the war with her
South American colonies, and the lat
ter were sending out privateers to
prey upon Spanish commerce. From
the government. of Cartagena Lafitte
obtained commission, and entered a
career of plumber, little caring what
flag his victims bore so they. covered a
rich cargo. ga. - ,.... -..... ......,,..,
Spanish, French, English, and Amer
lean we're all the same to him, and he
soon became terror to honest naviga-
tors. The ravages of the Alabama and
other Confederate cruisers were small
compared with the havoc made by
Laftte's piratical fleet. It is estimated
that 400 richly laden ships were captur-
ed by him and his heutenants, their
cargoes being marketed in New, Orleans,
into which port they were struggled.
Finally. III 1877, the. authorities. of
Louisiana, weary of the lawlessness
carried on so near their borders, issued
proclamation through Gov.s Clai-
borne, dated New Orleans, March Is,
1918, reciting the numerous acts of
piracy and smuggling with which the
occupants of -Barataria We're charged,
and ordered them to dispense. The
proclamation was disregarded, and
soon after the Governor offereda reward
of S., OO0sf for Laftte's head. This was
&hortly followed by a counter procla-
nation from the pirate promising q
reward of $4,000 to any one who
would deliver Coy. Claiborne into his
| hands. " .ft''t. CARVE s e. #@@1 s+'&s 81
Matters were in this condition, when
late in 1914, the English resolved to
attack New Orleans. But the Difficult
ties in ascending the Mississippi were
numerous, and they finally resolved
to seek passage through Barata-
ria and it's bayous and, considering
our relation between the authorities OF
New Orleans and the piratical crew at
that point, they were confident of at
taching Laftte to their interest. Thus,
on the 30th of August, 1914, Capt
Lockyer, of the British ship Sophia,
sailed on that mission. The Barata-
rian chief then had LOO, men under
his command, and thirteen armed
vessels.
Capt. Lockyer was permitted to land,
and he had private interview with
the pirate, atwhich he offered him, as a
reward for his cooperation, $50. 600 in
coin, a commission in His Majesty s
navy, and free pardon for himself and
followers. Laftte requested ten days
for consideration, pretending desire
to consult some of his associates who
were then absent.
AS before intimated, Laftte hated
the English on account of their
cruelty to him in early life His inte-
rest, too, was with the Americans.
| New Orleans was his best market for
stolen goods, and it was important
that he should conciliate the American
Government. Therefore, he instantly
departed for New Orleans, presented
| himself before Gov Claiborne in dis
guise, laid before him the dispatches
from Capt. Lockyer, and others from
Laftte, promising to aid the American
cause if pardoned.
At the time of his arrival an expedi-
ton was fitting out to drive the pirates
from their stronghold. and he asked
that it be delayed Claiborne laid the
letters before his Council, but they
would not believe them genuine, and
the expedition was ordered to sail.
Sorely disappointed, Laftte returned,
but before he reached his quarters his
forts had been attacked, his fleet sunk
or captured, and his men scattered.
The spoil that fell into the hands of
the Americans amounted to $500,0OO.
It was too late toaccept the fattering
overtures from the English, even if he
was so inclined, and his only salvation
was in an American alliance. He &C
cordingly again wrote to Claiborne,
saying that he and his command were
"willing to enroll themselves against
the enemy Gen. Jackson was con-
suited and was strongly in favor of
the scheme. Accordingly Gov. Clai-
borne issued proclamation, conclud-
ING as follows #e