The Elbert County tribune., 1905-07-06

tory. inasmuch as. fifteen days before.
concluded between the United States
and Great Britain.
But the triumph was, In its COM
pleteness, and by reason of the means
through which 1t had been achieved
OF inestimaole and lasting benefit to
this country. + proved that Ameri-
can freemep, although lacking in disci-
| pine, and poorly armed, could repel
and defeat a greatly superior force Of
veteran soldiers. rich with all the ma.
terial and panoply of war-the flower
of Britain's army, fresh from its VIC
tories in Spain.
History tells how much OF Jackson's
success was due to the loyalty, intelli-
gence and bravery of LATTE and his
Baratarians: 1t says, aside from this,
that but for the warning and informa-
ton given to the former by LATTE,
New Orleans could not have been
saved.
Gen. Jackson was quick to recog-
nize this. during the battle and after
wards, in his Reports and General
Orders.
In one of the latter, dated Jan. Is,
1915, he said. after paying high trib-
ute to LATTE:
Captains Dominique You and De-
luche, lately commanding privateers
at Barataria, with part of their for
mer crews. and many brave citizens
of New Orleans, were stationed at bat.
teries Nos. and 4. The general can
not avoid giving his warm appreciation
of the manner in which these gentle
men have uniformly conducted them
selves while under his command. and
of the gallantry with which they have
redeemed the pledge they gave at the
opening of the campaign, to defend
the country
The good feeling of jackson, Clai-
borne and the citizens of New Orleans
toward Lafitte, and their appreciation
of the loyal and important services
rendered by him. extended to all his
once outlawed followers; and Presi-
dent Madison. in his proclamation of
pardon, used these words:
But 1t has been represented that
the offenders have manifested a sin
cere repentance: that they have aban-
doned the worst cause for the support
of the best: and particularly that they
have exhibited in the defense of New
Orleans unequivocal traits of courage
and fidelity. Offenders who have re-
fused to become the associates of the
enemy in war upon the most seductng
terms OF invitation, and who have aid
ed to repel his hostile invasion of the
territory of the United States, can
no longer be considered as objects of
punishment, but as objects of gen
erous forgiveness"
Beluche received an important ,ffi-
cial appointment In South Ameri,a;
and after the death of Dominique-Y,,u
some years later, the city of New DR.
leans erected a monument to his mem
DRY.
1t is true that some of the more adj
venturous Baratarians relapsed into
their former pursuits; but their oper-
atoms were carried on in foreign seas,
and Louisiana knew them no more.
There is also good reason for suspect
ing that one of these, more intelligent
than his fellows, assumed the name of
their former great leader, and, in 1919
or 1920. made a stronghold upon the
site of what is now the city of Calves
ton in Texas.
From this came one of the stories
relating to Lafitte's career subsequent
to the battle of New Orleans; another
being that he resumed his former
practices, and had been drowned at
sea, while still another states that he
died in Yucatan. But fourth story
claims that he was. as late as 1880,
seen in France, and that, some years
after this. his widow was known to
be living In chateau near the upper
bank Of the Loire.
Certain 1t is that, with the sails of
the BLACK Petrol" turning slowly
from the golden glow of the sunset,
near the land. to the cold gray of the
far-off sea, and then to pearl. ere
they faded from sight vanished La
fitte of Louisiana.
Things that make and things that mar
Shape the man for perfect praise;
Shock and strain and ruin are