The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1905-07-08

tory. inasmueh as, fifteen days before.
at Ghent. treaty of peace had been
concluded between the United States
and Great Britain.
But the triumph was. in its com
pleteness. and by reason of the means
through which Ii had been achieved,
Of inestimabie and lasting benefit 10
this country. 1t proved that Ameri,
can freemen. although lacking In disci'
pline. and poorly armed. could repel
and defeat greatly superior force oil
veteran soldiers, rich with all the ma,
terias and panoply of war--the flower
of Britain's army. fresh from its vic
tories in Spain.
History tells how much of Jackson
success was due to the loyalty. intelii
gence and bravery of LATTE and his
Baratarians. il says. aside from this,
that but for the warning and informa
ton given TO the former by Lafitte
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. 15
lsl5, he said. after paying a high trib'
ute to iafitte:
Captains Bominique-You and Be
luehe. lately commanding privateers
al Barataria, with part OF their for
mer crews, and many brave citizens
OF New Orleans, were stationed at bat
teries Nos. 3 and 4. The general can
not avoid giving his warm appreciation
of the manner in which these gentle
men have uniformly conducted them
selyes 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 oi
pardon. used these words:
But IL has been represented that
the offenders have manifested a sin
cere repentance; that they have aban
of the best; ard 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 seducine
terms OF invitation and who have aid
ed to repel his hostile invasion OF tho
territory of the United States, car
no longer be considered as objects oi
erous forgiveness"
Beluche received an important ON
eial appointment In South America
and after the death OF Dominique You
some years later. the city OF New Or
leans erected a monument to his mem
ory.
IL Is true that some OF the more ad
yenturous Baratarians reiapsed 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 o
their former great leader. and. In 1915
or 1920. made a stronghold upon the
site OF what is now the city Of Calves
ton I'm Texas.
From this came one OF the stories
, relating to Laftte's career subsequent
to the battle of New Orleans: another
Icing that he resumed his former
practices. and had been drowned al
sea. while still another states that he
died In Yucatan. But a fourth story
claims that he was. as late as 1880
seen In France. and that. some year
after this. his widow was known &c
be living In a chateau near the upper
bank Of the Loire.
Certain II is that. with the sails oil
the BLACK Petrel' turning slowly
from the golden glow OF the sunset
near the land. to the cold gray of tho
far-ofY 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
L-rt. ft.at hx ffro dax