The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-06-25

ment. the breeze, the battle. and the
Storm" The renowned and wealthy pirate
turned his attention from the East Indies
to the West Indies. His ilustrious success
accompanied him across the Atlantic. In a
brigantine with 90 guns and 100 men. with
the French island Of Guadeloupe as head
quarters. he swooped down onco more on
British commerce. When tho English took
Guadeloupe. he transferred his headquar-
tiers and his nominal allegiance to Cartha-
gena, which had recently declared its inde-
pendence OF Spain. Under the Carthage
nian flag he plundered the Spanish mer-
chantmen. Here he acquired his title. 1.-The
Terror Of the Gulf"
The United States were then at peace with
the world and LAFITTE could not bring his
prizes into our ports or dispose OF his
booty openly In our markets. SO he and
other pirates. who styled themselves
"privateers. struggled their stolen goods
and captured slaves into New Orleans
through the system OF inlcts and bayous
west of the Mississippi's delta. In 1911
LAFrTTE fortified the island OF Grande
Terre, ct the Gulf entrance to this
back passage to the city; and there gradu-
ally grew up under his direction and dom
nation the celebrated pirates haven and
storehouse. and emporium OF piratical
plumber which came to DO known as Bara-
taria. 1t was the great exchange where
the so-called privateers dealt with the
traders OF Louisiana. who resorted thither.
without much attempt at concealment. to
secure cheap bargains.
This stronghold Of tho pirates and snug
glers contained about forty houses, pro-
tected by forts, and sheltered population
OF from five hundred to one thousand des-
peradoes OF every color, nationality, and
grade Of villainy. LAFITTEs influence was
supreme. When the scandal became too
fragrant. Gov. CLAIBORNE Of Louisiana
issued q proclamation Offering a reward Of
$500 for LAFITTE's head. The pirate chief
retaliated with an offer OF $4,000 for the
Governors head. The Governor sent down
an expedition. led by n man who had served
under LAF1TTE and knew the ground. to
destroy Barataria and TO bring the bucca-
neers to New Orleans for trial. LAFITTE
permitted the expedition to approach his
Notifications; and then at his signal from
boatswain's whistle the entire party
Of invaders was surrounded and cap
tured before it could strike a blow. "It
was on this OCCASION" wrote Mr.. PIERCE.
"that LAFITTE showed that characteristic
nobleness and generosity Of character
which glistens like jewel in the darkness
Of thousand crimes. Instead OF executing
the man who had come to take away his life
and all that was dear to him. he loaded him
with presents and suffered him to return
unmolested to New Orleans" Ships OF the
United States navy had tried once to cap
ture Barataria bv sea, and had actually
been repulsed by LAF1rTE. and forced to
retreat. A British sloop-pf-war which I'm
dertook the same job In June. 1918. had no
better fortune. But in June OF the follow
ing year, Commodore PATTERSON OF the
United States navy. with a detachment OF
the Forty seventh United States Infantry
and several gunboats. succeeded in taking
possession OF Barataria. temporarily dis
Dersing its inhabitants. and capturing six
fine schooners and one felucca that hap
pened to be in the harbor at the time.
We have now come to what may be term
ed the strictly historical period of JEAN
LAFIrTE's career. and shall consider 1t
separately. after We are through with the
semi-mythical Pirate. After the battle Of
New Orleans. where. according to PIERCE.
LAFITTE "raved like lion amid his fury.
cutting down two British officeis in COM
mand with his own arm" and after Presi-
dent MADIsoN's proclamation OF full pardon
to all the Baratarians who had been en-
gagged in the defence OF New Orleans. the
story Of this extraordinary parsonage be-
comes involved again in the mists OF con-
Trajectory and purely legendary narrative
PIERCE represents him as continuing his
piratical career In the old fashion. first under
the flag Of Carthagena. and then under that
of the new Colombian republic. With new
Barataria on Galveston Island. and fleet Of
swift schooners. he carried on the business
OF robbing, smuggling, and piracy, although
he uniformly alleged that his depredatlons
were committed on Spanish bottoms alone.
He amassed immense sums Of money.
which he either divided among his fellows.
spent In luxurious living during his incl
dental visits to civilization, or buried on
the wild islands along the Gulf shore. Dur
ing short stay in Washington city the
Pirate is said to have expended 100000
In entertaining fashionable society. The
yarns about his buried treasures are innu-
merable. Between 1910 and 1850 there was
a story OF the discovery OF 100000 In kegs
on the Gulf island OF Gallon by a man
named WAGNER and six others. The six
then murdered WAGNER and carried off
LAFITTE's deposit. Gold bars OF great
value were also said to have been dug up at
times on the site OF Barataria.
LAFIrrE's last voyage was In alarge. fast
brigantine Of sixteen guns and crew OF
ZIG. on which no hoisted the Colombian flag
and went forth like an evil spirit to war
against the world" According to Mr..
PIERcE's very clrcumstantial account.
British sloop-of-war chased and overhauled
the brigantine In the Gulf. the year not
stated. The British boarded the pirate and
u terrible conflict ensued:
above the storm of battle. LArrTEs stern voice was
heard, and his red arm. streaming with gore and
grasping shattered blade seen In the darkest OF
the conflict The blood ran in torrents from the
scuppsrs aud dyed the waters with crimson stain At
length LArIrTE FELL wounded desperately IN two places
bail had broken the bone OF his right leg: cuilass
had penetrated his stomach. Tho commander OF tho