Evening star., 1909-08-29

at this time he would have bid defiance
to the governor. but he was neither. In
stead he cautioned his followers against
violence to the authorities, and, incl
dentally, he made sure that no more
revenue officers should be sent into
Baratarla without his knowledge.
Gov. Claiborne, piqued and scandalized
by the conduct of the legislature. paid
no attention to public opinion, and insti-
tuted criminal proceedings against Jean
Iafitte, Pierre LATTE and all the promi-
nent Baratarians. Pierre Lafitte was ar
rested and Jean Lafitte was indicted for
piracy. OF evidence there was no end.
but Jean Lafitte laughed when the news
of his brothers arrest and his indict-
mert reached him. He had made ar
rangements for just this emergency.
Weeks before he had engaged John r.
Grymes. district attorney of New Orleans,
and Edward Livingston, the most dis
tinguished lawyer in the United States.
Promptly upon the Indictment of Lafitte
Grymes resigned his office and began
preparations for the pirates defense.
Never up to that time had lawyers been
paid such fees as Lafitte promised Grymes
and Livingston. They were to get $4,000
each. Livingston was son OF the LlV-
ingston who was a signer OF the Decla-
ration of Independence, and brother or
the famous chancellor. He had been
mayor of New York and a member of
Congress. Later he became United States
senator, Secretary Of State and minister
to France. Grymes was the greatest
pleader at the southern bar. When his
successor as district attorney taunted
him in court with having been led from
the path of honor by the $4,000 fee from
the blood-stained pirate, he challenged
him to duel and shot him, crippling him
for life.
So nobly did Grymes and Livingston
labor for Lafitte that the gallant pirate
and his companions were set free. Lafitte
invited his legal defenders to Barataria
victory. At this banquet they were to
receive their fee. Grymes attended, but
Livingston declined. Instead, he COM
missioned a friend to collect the $4,000
and gave 10 per cent of the fee to him for
his trouble. For one week Grymes ac-
cepted the princely hospitality Of the
pirate chief. Neve-did man fare more
sumptuously, but when he returned to
New Orleans he had no money. He re-
ceived $4,000 from Laftte, but, sad to
relate, he lost it back to his client at
cards
Wise Mr.. Livingston.
Fortune had not ceased to make sport
of Jean Lafitte. One day in September.
1914. while he was preparing to leave
Barataria. British warship, the Sophia.
arrived off the pirate stronghold and
fired signal gun. Lafitte rowed out
to learn what the visit meant. Before
he had proceeded far boat put out from
the warship. 1t contained Capt. Lockyer
and two officers. When the boats met
the captain asked if Lafitte was in Bara-
taria, and added that he had an import
ant letter for him. Lafitte did not dis
close his identity. but invited the men
ashore. Then he told them who he was
and opened the letter. 1t was from the
commander of the British forces in the
gulf, and made an offer to Lafitte and
his followers to join the British. A cap
taincy in the British navy and large
sum Of money were to be Lattte's re-
ward. Amnesty was to be granted to the
Baratarians for all they had done to
British commerce and they were to re-
ceive pay for their services. With the
letter was proclamation announcing the
intention to invade Louisiana, and calling
upon all "loyalists" to join the British.
Laftte told Capt. Lockyer he would
have to consult his people many of whom