Evening star., 1909-08-29

were bitter against the British. He could
not win them over without argument, he
said. He asked two weeks TO consider
the proposition.
This seemed reasonable to the captain.
and after smoking some of ,Lafitte's
choice Havanas and drinking some ex-
cellent wine he went aboard the SOPHIA
and the warship sailed away.
Before the Sophia had lifted anchor
Lafitte was on his way to Gov. Clai-
borne's mansion He laid the British
proclamation and the British offer on the
governors desk and then he offered his
own services and those of all the Bara-
tarians for the defense of New Orleans.
In return he asked that he and all the
Baratarians be forgiven by the govern
ment and that no further proceedings be
taken against them for old offenses.
Claiborne called council OF his ad-
visers. and they rejected the proposition.
They not only questioned the genuineness
of the proclamation and the British let
ter, but they declared it was against the
dignity of the government to treat with
pirates Not only that. but an expedi-
ton was sent to Barataria and some of
the warehouses of Lafitte destroyed and
various persons arrested.
When Capt. Lockyer returned two
weeks after his first visit he fired signal
guns until he got tired. There was no.
response.
But Laf1tte was not through. He Of
fered his services to Gen. Jackson. At
first Old Hickory spurned him. Later he
was delighted to have Lafitte and all OF
Lafitte's followers join him. They fought
behind the cotton bales in the battle Of
New Orleans against the veterans Of PAX
enham, and that they fought we'll may be
believed from Jackson's official report
4 +
'Capts. dominique and Beluche, lately
commanding privateers at Barataria, with
part Of their former crews, were stationed
at batteries and A. 1t says. '.The gem
eral cannot avoid giving his warm APP
probation OF the manner in which
they redeemed the pledge they gave to
defend the country. The brothers La
f1tte have exhibited the same courage
and fidelity, and the general promises
that the government shall be duly appris-
ed of their conduct"
President Madison granted. amnesty to
all of them.
Offenders who have refused to become
the associates OF the enemy in war upon
the most seducing terms of invitation"
he wrote, land who have aided to repel
his hostile invasion Of the territory of the
United States. can no longer be consider
ed as objects of punishment, but as OBJ
jects of generous forgiveness"
In the celebrations in New Orleans over
the victorious battle the Lafittes were
prominent figures. Never. 1t seemed. was
Jean Lafltte more popular. He might
have put piracy aside forever and become
staid and respected citizen, but he had
the lust of the corsair in his blood He
knew the game of piracy was nearly over,
but he determined to play it to the end
Turning his back on New Orleans he
sailed with a soodly number of his fol-
lowers to the Island of Galveston. There
were perhaps 80 in the party and the
flotila was made up of seven ships. He
got letters of marque from Catagena
and did some of his old business on a re-
duced scale and with small profit. Then
when one Of his followers made the mis-
take of capturing United States ship
laden with a rich cargo and considerable
money, the Galveston establishment was
broken up and Lafitte's party dispersed.
Next Lafittemoved to Yucatan and there
in 1928 he died. Only a few OF his
old companions remained with him after
he was driven away from Galveston.
He died penniless and practically alone.
disgusted with life, broken in spirit, and
believing that he was much abused man
and that posterity would judge him as
hero.
Copyright, 1909. by Richard Spiliansb