Jean Lafitte

**Jean Lafitte** (c. 1780–c.1823) (pronounced: "*J-Aw-n Lah-fit*) was a historic pirate, privateer and smuggler who is affiliated with the Disney Parks mythos.

## History

Jean Lafitte was an early 19th century pirate who operated primarily within the Gulf of Mexico and made port in Louisiana, specifically Baratia Bay which was a pirate haven he aided in the creation of. After Louisiana was sold to the American government by Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte, Jean made a business from smuggling contraband from the Caribbean into the USA through Baratia Bay, the Louisiana bayous and into New Orleans. In 1815 he was given a pardon in return for assisting President Andrew Jackson in fighting off the British in the battle of New Orleans towards the end of the War of 1812.

### Disney Version

Jean Lafitte was a pirate of the Caribbean during the early 19th century. For unknown reasons, a portrait of him would be painted on the cursed island of Isla Tesoro during the earlier 18th century. Said portrait was later stolen by the pirates of the Wicked Wench during their sacking of the island for its legendary cursed treasure and its later fate is a mystery.

Jean was a notorious smuggler, particularly in New Orleans however he also had a smuggling outpost in Missouri on the isle later known as Jackson Island on the Mississippi. During the War of 1812 he assisted president Andrew Jackson in the war against the British, even using Jackson Island (then named for the president) as a hub for Jackson's soldiers, supplies and fortress. Lafitte fought in the Battle of New Orleans on the January 8th of 1815 in return for a pardon from the American government and became something of a New Orleans legend as a result.

## Appearances and allusions

### Indiana Jones

René Belloq claims to be a descendant of Jean Lafitte.

### Pirates of the Caribbean

#### Disneyland

The load-area for Pirates of the Caribbean is *Laffite's Landings* and is a boat-landing on the Blue Bayou. This naming choice might indicate a connection with Laffite's smuggling operations between Baratia Bay, through the bayou and into New Orleans.

#### Disneyland Paris

In Disneyland Paris, there is a portrait of Jean Lafitte seen in the possession of a citizen of Puerto Dorado on the isle of Isla Tesoro in the early 18th century. It is shown about to be auctioned off by the auctioneer pirate of *The Wicked Wench* and his enforcer Redd during the Wench's ransacking of Puerto Dorado. The nature of this anachronistic painting is yet unknown but might be the result of the supernatural.

#### Unused

Jean Lafitte was once planned to be one of the historic pirate figures featured within Pirates of the Caribbean from when it was developed as a walk-through attraction.

### New Orleans Square

In New Orleans Square is an anchor with a plaque which reads, "*Said to be from a pirate ship commanded by Jean Lafitte in the battle of New Orleans – January 8, 1815 – It is also said that Lafitte’s privateering ships left a wake of blood from the mainland to Barataria Bay – But don’t believe everything you read".* Additionally, a now removed shop in the square was called, "Laffite's Silver Shop".

### Tom Sawyer Island

On the Pirate's Lair on Tom Sawyer Island in Disneyland there is a tavern called, "Lafitte's Tavern" and newspapers identifying Jackson Island (Tom Sawyer Island) as having been a base of Lafitte and later been used by Americans in the War of 1812.

### Haunted Mansion

In the Haunted Mansion he is more frequently referenced in non-canon materials such as the comics by SLG where he was an ally to the mansion's founder William Gracey, in the 2003 film continuity where he was an affiliate of Captain Ambrose Gracey who built the mansion, or the audio-book Nuptial Doom where the sea-captain who owned the mansion was a compatriot of Lafitte. These are based on how in an unused concept for the mansion, catacombs under the manor entered through Lafitte's tomb would lead to a pirate's lair on Tom Sawyer Island.

## References

1. ↑ https://www.britannica.com/biography/Jean-Laffite
2. ↑ https://longforgottenhauntedmansion.blogspot.com/2010/09/jean-lafitte-and-mega-theme-temptation.html