Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1896-09-12

vessels that brought merchandise and
slaves into the bayous and inlets along
the Louisiana coast. Of course, this
sort of thing demoralized the legiti'
mate trade In the city, and complaints
were many and loud, but the SNUG.
Cling fraternity evidently possessed
quite pull, and it was good while
before any earnest steps were taken to
suppress the illegal traffic.
Meanwhile Jean La6tte had OBJ.
tanned such prominence that all the
coast people looked up to him as their
leader, and his word became law among
the smuggling gentry from Lake Pont-
chartain to the Sabine. The main
rendezvous of all these revenue dodg-
ers was on the island of Barataria,
where there was quite settlement
and a little fort. The United States
authorities took steps at last, and,
knowing full we'll that the island and
fort were used simply as the head
quarters of the numerous smuggling
gangs, they sent out Commodore Pat
terson of the United States navy, who
broke up the Barataria establishment.
There was no other punishment than
this. 1t stands to reason that If there
had been any real piracy, LATTE and
his Baratarians would have been hang
ed from the yard arm, as pirates were
given short shift in those days.
All through Lafitte's career appears
his anxiety to stand we'll with the
United States and to avoid any con-
flict with its laws. Just before the
breaking up came the British descent
on New Orleans. Lafitte was Of
fered commission in the British navy
and large sum of money, provided
he and bis friends would join with
the invaders. As they were perfectly
we'll acquainted with every foot of that
difficult country and were brave fight
ers, their acquisition would have been
a matter of great moment, and in all
probability would have changed the
result of the campaign. But Lafitte,
though his smuggling business had
just been broken up, Joined Jackson
with all his followers, and fought with
notable gallantry in the battle of jan
uary 8, 1916. In consequence of this
important service, President Madison
gave him a full pardon for whatever
misdeeds he had committed at any
prior time.
THE FOUNDER OF GALVESTON.
But evidently the smuggling busi-
ness on the Louisiana coast was effect
ually squelched and had no future, as
we shortly after hear of Lafitte and a
numerous following emigrating from
Louisiana and forming colony on
Galveston Island. His after career
shows pretty plainly that he left to
return to Louisiana no more. Now,
would man under ordinary circum-
stances leave any buried treasure be-
hind him9 He had all the time he
wanted. The were no charges against
him. He left of his own accord, and
there was no necessity for any undue
haste or leaving any valuables be-
hind him. Wouldn't Lafitte or any
other man of ordinary sense have dug
up his buried gold and taken it along ?
Everything points b, Sthe conclusion
that La6tte not only had common
sense, but was shrewd beyond the or
dinary. .,
Prior to Lafitte's arrival there had
been zone or two settlements on. Gal,
weston Island, but they had been aban-
doned, aud nov Our former black.
smith and smuggler comes out in a
new role.
At that time Mexico, Central Amer
lea and many provinces of South
America had revoIted against Spain.
Revolutionary republican governments
had been formed and had been accord
ed the rights of belligerents. Don Jose
Manuel Herrera was commissioner to
the United States from the revolution
ary government of Mexico. From
him Lafitte claimed to have received
the appointment of governor OF Texas
and the probabilities are that he did
receive it, as he took possession OF
Galveston Island under such authority
and stayed there four years, exercising
authority as governor all that time.
Had he not in truth received such ap-
pointment, the Mexican government
would surely have repudiated him.
He had number of ships and quite
force of adventures. He had letters
of marque and reprisal from the revo-
lutionary government of Venezuela
authorizing him to prey upon the
commerce of Spain. This Venezuelan
government, as was that of Mexico,
was a recognized belligerent at war
with Spain.
AS governor, Laftte required all per.
sons on the island and the captains and
owners of the vessels there in the har-
Dor to take the oath of allegiance to
the Mexican republic. A regular
government, with salaried officers, was
established.
Vessals were manned by the island
ers and were sent out, soon beginning
to make things lively for the Span.
iards. The profits and excitement OF
these expeditions attracted numbers OF
adventuresome spirits from all dlrec-
tions. At the close of the year 1917,
~ Har n6