The Ottawa free trader., 1877-03-31

! beautiful sca shore. 1t has many other adyan
tages and charms, which will not now mention
but, as the history of this island is somewha
romantic, will add a scrap from history which
| find in the directory of the place:
THE PIRATE LArITTE.
Jean lafttc was born III Bordeaux, France
ran away from home at An early age and went on
board Of a man of war after several voyages he
landed at Santa Martha where he fitted out q
privatcer, with which he often visited the coasts
Of the United States, In 1901 the United States
laid an embargo upon foreign commerce, which
offered strong temptations TO rowing and ire.
sponsibe persons 10 engage in Illicit trade, and
like the buccaneers of Drake and Morgan, and
other proud roycrs who swept the seas and re
frc.hed their scared and briny limbs in the
green recesses OF the bays, or feas'ed in cavcrns
on the luxures captured from stately Indiamcn,
where they reycled with the Spanish women Of
bron2ed bu.ts and naughty eye--won by the
sword; and boards Of gold from Spanish galleons
their will was their reason; their weapon their
authority; drank and fought grave and rcver.
cned scignors.'
Iaiitte was well formed, handsome man, six
feet two inches, strongly built, dressed in Il
green unifOim and otter skin cap, Of polite and
easy manners, generous disposition, and OF an
exceedingly winning address, giving him abso-
lutte influence over his followers, and though
there were many others engaged in this bust
ness, from the superiority of his privatcers, his
prudence and caution, he became master OF all
others Occupying this island with about fifty
followers, he located Il town, built house, which
he painted Ttd, and threw up around it a fort
his followers bringing wives or mistresses to the
island. Thus he continued until 1917. His fol
lowers numbered 1000, of all nations and Ian
guages refugees from justice and victims of OPP
prcsSlon, always successful in his iightings
with the Indians.
Thus lived like Il monarch the courteous
princely piratical chief until 1921, when impera
tive orders Of the United States government
based on the reports of depredations committed
by his followers, Lieutenant Kearney, with the
brig "Entcrprse," was ordered to break up his
forces and occupation. He waited on LATTE,
who received HIM royalty and promised subms-
sion, and Immediately prepared for departure.
He paid oil his followers; supplied them with
money; and the next tide carried outside the
bar the Pride" his favorite vessel, and other
vessels comprising the fleet of this celebrated
rover, who waved his white plume in long fare
well salute to the shores Of Texas.
There is considerable business enterprise in
and, being port Of entry and great
shipping point, will in time become a second
New York. As it is, | know of no place which
has the appearance of better times, plenty Of
money and good prospects than this.
So far, my visit to "thc lone star state has
been charming. Whether it will continue so, or
whether shall be disappointed in the rest OF
my tour through the state, remains to be seen.
At all events, mean 10 give the readers Of the
FREE TRADER n true account of Texas as find
it. In few days start for the interior, and my
next letter will show what saw by the way.
side. I'D. HAMMOND.