The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1881-12-30
LaRtte, the Pirate.

very boyhood accustomed to the ocean;
His family for many generations nad
furnished some of the most sklllful sea-
men and daring privateersmen OF bay-
onue. In the war of the French revoll-
ton. when the commerce of his native
was almost destroyed, he em-
tarked as Lieutenant on board of aprivate
armed vessel, which, after brilliant
career. was finally captured and carried
into an English port. Here young La
t;,tc with; the other officers and the crew,
,rcre cast into prison. Time passed;
his Captain, his brother Lieutenants, the
common men even, obtained freedom,
but Lafitte himself remained prisoner.
His friends. however, and relatives left
nothing undone to procure his release.
Several times were prisoners OF equal
rank sent into English ports through
the agency of his old Captain, in order
to be exchanged for him, but it was rot
till many long years had passed that La
fi,,n found himself free. This long inn
prisonment aroused in him an almost |
savage thirst for vengeance against En-
GLAND: and on his release he returned
Immediately to privateering, principally
for the harm he might thus visit on
English shipping and English COM
merce.
The treaty of Fontainbleau and the
;subseouent qualification of Europe de-
prived him of the means of legally con-
tinuing his revenge. But long years OF
solitary brooding in the dungeons OF MS
English prison, and during his night
watches afterward on the lonely sea, had
DESTROYED to great extent his reverence
for human laws, and he determined TO
continue his career. As it was only
against England he sought revenge, he
never attacked any but English vessels.
His relations in France heard of his
course with pain, and demonstrated with
him earnestly and tearfully. But LATTE
was memorable. His friends, aware how
great had been the provOcation, could
say no more, but from that hour, for
many long years, the name OF the wan
.dering outlaw ceased to be spoken in the
household of his father, and children, in
whose veins ran blood kindred to his
own, grew up to manhood ignorant OF
his very existence.
The subsequent career of LATTE is
well known. Though he committed acts
of piracy only on British vessels, he PAID
mo regard to the revenue laws OF any ma
ton. For long period he had under
his command a large force, which shell
tered in the Bay Of Barataria, and as the
Pirate of the Gulf and the terror OF Brit
ish commerce in American waters, his
name will descend to the latest times
Driven from the Gulf by British cruisers
to his so-called Temple on Grand Terre,
and, hotly pursued, he would cross the
Ray of Barataria into Grand Pass, rum
ming his fleet into Casminado Bay, with
its many islands, or, passing through
Little Lake into Bayou Pierot, or through
BAYOU Barataria and Lake Ouicha into
BAYOU des Allemandes, he successfully
-eluded the vigilance OF his pursuers,
holding high revel with his desperadoes
almost within hearing of both State and
National forces. -.-ss.ts-..
The last act of his eventful- career was
the elimination of his long-treasured re-
venge, and served also to restore him to
favor with the people and the authorities
of Louisiana, whose laws he had so long
set at defiance. 1t was at the battle OF
New Orleans. He was the genius of the
great battle. His blood boiled at the
sight of the red-coats. Lies Anglais
perfides!" he shouted to his men; ''makt
every shot tell! fire low nay boys-fire!
he Numbered to them, and his were thu
first guns to fire. Later in the battle :
General officer is seen to lead the British
forces. He mounts the parapet, waving
his sword and cheering his men. Lafitt.
-sprang forward with pistol in hand
a fol 70
wounded. The victory is gained an
Lafitte's revenge stated. rho
Shortly after the battle citizens of New
Orleans gave grand ball to the officer
of General Jackson's army, at whic
LATTE was an honored guest, and wa
introduced to all as one of the heroes Q
the battle. General Coffee, of Jackson
staff, was thus introduced, and SCENE
to exhibit some hesitation when the nam
of Lafitte was spoken, and which h
could not distinctly hear LATTE immt
x3ately drew himself up with hauteu
and hurriedly advanced step or tw'
exclaiming with peculiar emphasis, ''Ls
3itte. the Pirate!'' General Coffee in
smediatelv advanced to LATTE, and, tai
ing him by the hand, apologized for tn
tardy manner in which he recognize
the Introduction, and explained the eau
of his hesitation. Subsequently Gener
Coffee visited LATTE at the Temple,
Grand Terre, and parted warm friend
Shortly after this visit old memorl
were reawakened, his early education
which had been strict, asserted its inf
ence, and he sighed to return again
civilized life, to lay down the sword
the pirate chief, and pass his days
quiet. The volcano of passion or insa
ity, for it was as much the last as q
first. had burned out in that fiery heal
Resigning in favor of his faithful Lieute
ant, Chauvet, he returned to his matt
land, where he became reconciled to
family, LIVED on the old homestead whe
he was born, and died in 1876. aft
many years of usefulness, charity al
devotion; his wife, whom he had marri
in Louisiana, surviving him but II
years. 1t has been said that LATTE J
tanned to the last moment of his life
lifelong animosity; almost his last wor
,,,ra Toe An1Inis s,erfdeS IN O. OK