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

Imagination. The INGRAHAM novel is mem
toned hero because the authors purely
fanciful conception Is responsible for much
nonsense that was afterward alleged about
LAF1TTE as II 1t were historical truth. In
letter written from Aberdeen. Mississippi,
In 1852, to the editor OF DE Boios Reuieir,
the Rev. Mr.. INGRAHAM humorously pro-
tested against tho attempt to resolve his
dashing hero into mere landsman and n
blacksmith. The idea OF the novel, he said.
was suggested by the chapter In the Rev.
TIMOTHY FL1NT's book; and he added: Il
found in my researches. twenty years ago.
romantic legends 80 interviewer with facts
that 1t was extremely difficult to separate
the historical from the traditional. am
very sure that the same cause will make 1t
impossible to arrive at the truth Of his life.
His only biogrnpher at last must BIO the
romancer."
Fifteen years after the publication OF
INGRAHAM's romance, there was printed In
De BoW's Repie,o for October. 1851. bio
graphical sketch Of LAFITrE. purporting to
have been written by one GEORGE A. PIERCE
OF Louisiana. Whether this extraordinary
article was concocted in good faith. or
whether It was deliberate literary impo-
stion, with the editor Of the Reuieto either
victim or a party in the perversion OF
history, we have no means OF knowing. In
the lively controversy which ensued the
editor OF De BoW's made haste to announce
that his contributor PIERCE. was dead. and
therefore could not defend his own state
ments. These statements regarding La
FIrrE career were offered to the public as
based upon talks with individuals who had
served under him. public documents. and
the most generally accepted accounts OF his
life and exploits. They are useful for the
present purpose. because they include about
every yarn or romantic extravaganza that
helped to make up the mythical LAFITTE;
and the whole story Is gravely told by the
alleged PIERCE with great PARTICULARLY OF
detail and delightful abandon as regards
adjectives and gore.
According to the DE Bo,c version. JEAN La
FITTE was born in st. Malo. France. In 17Sl.
From boyhood he lived and sailed on the
ocean. Before he reached manhood he had
made several voyages to seaports in Eu-
rome and Africa. In 1902 or 1903. he shipped
rs first mate of French East Indiaman
bound for Madras. on the Cape Of Good
Hone the ship was nearly wrecked In
gale and fire broke out in the hold. dam
aging the vessel 30 much that the Captain
put in to the Maurtius. LAF1TTE had quar-
relied with the Captain. and as his naughty
spirit never brooked control, he abandoned
the ship in disgust. From that period
began his illegal connection with the ocean.
His restless spirit" explains Mr.. PIERCE
had been inflamed by the romantic exploits
of the hardy buccaneers Of the time. whose
II DO ad rocnundad aVarv
land and sea; and he resolved to initiate. II
not surpass. their most brilliant actions.
and leave fame to the future that would
not soon be forgotten"
The young LAFITTE climbed the ladder OF
piratical fame with simian agility. French
priyateers were fitting out at Port st. Louis
to attack British commerce. LAFITTE ac-
cepted the command OF beautiful. fast
sailing vessel OF 200 tons with two guns and
twenty-six men. and spared no pains to
make her the pride Of the sea. He sailed
forth and attacked Unfortunately weaker
crafts under whatever flag. Heaccumulated
vast sums OF gold and silver. enriching
himself and his crew: but these sums were
soon spent In profligacy and liberality.
Then he went into the slave trade. While
taking a cargo Of negroes from the Sey-
chelles to the Mauritlus. he was chased as far
north as the equator by an English man-of-
war. Escaping. but being out Of provisions.
with the energy and boldness characteristic
OF him, he put his helm about and made for
the Bay OF Bengal. He captured an English
armed schooner superior to his own vessel.
and transferred himself and nineteen
Of his crew to her decks. Before long
he fell in with the Pagoda. an English
East Indiaman carrying twenty-six guns
and $50 men. LAFITrE so mannuvred as to
make the Engllshmen believe he WAS a
Ganges pilot. AS soon as he had the weather
gauge OF the Pagoda he boarded her. cutlass
in hand, at the head of his nineteen men.
and overpowered the $50 Englishmen. put
ting to the sword all who resisted him.
Again he transferred his command to the
captured ship and sailed back to the Maui
ritius, where he sold his prizes and bought
for new venture strong. well-built ship.
named La Confance. equipped with 26
guns and manned by $50 bold pirates.
LAF1rTEs second cruise in La Confiance
began In 1907. According to his biographer.
this cruise was marked by the same skilful
navigation. desperate valor. and immense
pecuniary success as had distinguished
ventures Is the encounter with the Queen.
a huge Britisher. pierced for forty guns and
carrying 400 men. LAFlrrE fell in with the
Queen Off Sands Heads" somewhere on
the coast OF British india:
The Queen moved majestic on her way as II In den
anoe of his Inferior force LArrrE resolved her.
He addressed a powerful speech to his men, exciting
their widest imagnationA Every man waved his hat
and hand and cried aloud for action The Queen boro
down on him and gave him tremendous broadside.
which, owing to the height did but little execution
Before the action LATTE had ordered his men to Ito
down on the decks The British Captpin believed that
all were killed or wounded, and came alongside to
grApple and board Al this moment LATIrTE gave
whiatle and in an instant the deck bristled with
armed men, while tho smoke prevailed he ordered
his in,o the tops and yards whence they poured
All incessant IRE OF shells bombs, and grenades
into the forecasls OF the Indiaman. producing such
slaughter among tho crew that they were forced to
withdraw. A. this crisis LATirrE beat to arms and
placing fayore at tho head OF forty men. with pis.