The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1882-01-19
THE PIRATE OF THE GULF.

THE PIRATE OF TIE GULF.
Not "a Bile II-.nd- Thunior Rom 4nce. bat 4
Verltable History of .Deun t.aiit:e.
Letter from GALVESTON, Texas.
On this SELF same isle formerly dwelt one
Of the most celebrated pirates known to
american annals-Jean lMfitte, the Robin
Hood Of the Mexican Gulf and Caribbean
Sea. The very spot where his lawless town
stood il still pointed ont to the curious
visitor. He was one of the most pictur-
esque characters Of the early part Of the
present century, and to the American novel;
ist and poet has proved Il fruitful theme.
He is thus described, not by the pen of
fiction, but by all aourate historian: He
was we'll formed, handsome man, si4 feet
two inches in height, strongly built, with
large hazel eyes, and black hair, and he
usually wore mustache. He dressed in
green uniform lie was man of polite and
easy manners. Of retired habits, generous
disposition, and Of such winning address
that his influence over his followers was al
most absolute" He was a native of France,
Of respectable Parentage, and made his first
ocean voyage as the mate of a vessel bound
to the East Indies. He was more lifted to
command than obey, and soon 4uarreled
with his fellow officers aud left them.
In some manner unknown he obtained a
ship, doubtless by methods be-
coming al embryo corsair, and.
rallying to his black dag crew Of de-
termined men, he boldly embarked in a ca
reer of piracy on the Indian Ocean. Little
is recorded of his fortunes at this particu-
lar period, save that he finally fell into the
hands of the British naval authorities, but
evaded the halter by a timely escape and
succeeded in reaching his native land. His
stay was brief, however. Only tbs excite
ments OF q lawless life possessed the allure
ments his restless nature demanded Fit
ting out Il vessel he sailed for the West In
dles, und made open war Oh British and
Spanish commerce. Many galleon
frelghted With treasure became his spoil,
and many rich English cargo Hia ex-
ploits fully equaled those Of the most noted
heroes OF piratical ronaancas, while his per-
sonal characteristics were far FROM uncom-
nendable. He is said 10 have been brave,
refined anu high minded-in fact ethe
miIdest- hammered man that ever scuttled
ship or cut throat"
Let not his mode OF raising Cash Seem strange.
Although he tleeced the flag of every nation,
For into Primo Minister but change
Ella title, and lis nothing but taxation;
Iut NIUio luUuc6I, kOOh ILL Ui6c lhuR6
OF life, and in an honester vocation
Pursued Ger the high seas his water Journey
And merely practiced as 3 sea~ attorney.
In 1916 Commodore Patterson, with sew
eral American vessels OF war, was dis
patched to cruise in Search OF him. He
WAS found we'll established OH IN island in
Barataria Bay, about forty miles west of the
delta of the mississippi river He had e
large force OF outlaws under his command
and small fleet Of vessels, but retired
without opposition We were then at war
with Great Britain Laitte cherished an
intense hatred Of the English, by reason Of
the severity Of his treatment while prison.
or in their hands, and was Our natural ally,
He had also, probably from motives of
policy, usually refrained from eapturin 9
American vessels. The expedition of Com
modore Patterson Was not conducted in q
very energetic manner, therefore, and az
soon as the American feet retired Lafitte
again took possession Of the island. The
latter was too conveniently adjacent TO New
Orleans to be needlessly abandoned. At
that city the pirates found 6 ready and nc
commodating market for their captured
slaves and cargoes, md could also procure
any needed military supplies there The
innumerable bayous connecting New Or
leans with the Gulf facilitated the clandes-
tine operations. When the British at
tempted to capture the city they
first sought the cooperation Of Latitte, Of
fering him as Z recompence the sum OF
$50, 900 and commission IN the royal
navy. He declined these tempting terms,
bat, without hope of reward, marched to
the camp OF Andrew jackson, at the head
OF body of veteran followers, and bore
an honorable part in repulsing the British.
For this important assistance, his past
transgressions we're pardoued by the pres
ldent, and he had before him the oppor-
tunity of abandoning the wild life he had
led so long, and Of turning his undoubted
talents to nobler pursuits. The charm OF
adventure too powerfully possessed his ma
ture. however, and he merely determined
on new base of operations. He removed
his plumber and pirates from the immediate
vicinity Of New Orleans. aud located on
inc uninhab1ted island OF Galveston. lie
brought to his new stronghold no less than
SIX well-manned vessels. A tribe of In
dams occupied the mainland, and attempted
to expel him, but in battle that took place
thirty savages were killed and the remainde,
He'd to safer hunting grounds. LATTE now
had many buildings constructed, including
a fine residence for his own occupancy.
Galveston his permanent abiding place as
we'll as slave mart, to which planters could
at any time repair with perfect security.
His ocean raids now became more numer-
Gus and successful than ever. Among
his followers he divided the net results
with a Just ana liberal hand. Like the pi-
rate of romance, he exercised authority with
reserve and dignity:
WIN these he mingled not but to command,
Few were bis words, but keen the eye and
Neer reasoned he with nlirth their iovisl mess,
But they forgave his silence for succoss
His rank and fle consisted of desperate
outcasts from every nation, but were chief
" Americans. His favorite lieutenant was
an. American by the name of James Camp
bell. who fought under Commodore Perry
at the battle of Lake Erie, and afterward
on the frieate Constitution in its celebrated
i've years it became impossible to the
United States to longer tolerate the opera
tons OF Iafitte, and in 1920 an American
squadron anchored off Galveston. The
Commodore in command visited the corsair
orders. LATTE entertained him in princeiy
style, having superabundunce Of
sumptuous fare to draw from, and then
quietly gave orders for the embarkation of
the pirates and the destruction oftheir town
by fire. While the flames were in full pro-
gress he weighed anchor. and never again
sailed the waters Of the Gulf of Mexico.
AFTER long cruise he made his homo on
the island OF Mazeret, off the coast of
Yucatan, where he died Q few years after
N11ysn 1~1.,