[5] No samples of his writing survive, except his signature; his surviving letters were always written by a secretary. . Galveston after his adventures in Louisiana. Smugglers would purchase the slaves for a discounted price, march them to Louisiana, and turn them in to customs officials. Later, the Acadian Cultural Center in Lafayette, the Prairie Acadian Cultural Center in Eunice, and theWetlands Acadian Cultural Center in Thibodaux were added to the park, and stories connect Lafitte with those areas too. But the treasure is in my best belief to be in Galveston. national hero. During this time in New Orleans, Lafitte became a very rich man, acquiring extraordinary amounts of money, ships, and weapons. End of Campeche[edit] In 1821, the schooner USS Enterprise was sent to Galveston to remove Lafitte from the Gulf. LINCOLNTON, N.C. (WBTV) - In the 1820s, pirate Jean Laffite, a smuggler from the Gulf Coast area in Louisiana, allegedly faked his death. At this time an English captain offered Lafitte $30,000 and a commission to help the British attack New Orleans. the naval operations and common routes of port ships in the Mississippi River In 1812, the United States and the United Kingdom went to war. [32] Because the US Navy did not have enough ships to act against the Baratarian smugglers, the government turned to the courts. The expert cannon fire of Jacksons troops, including Lafi ttes Baratarians, contributed to the American victories during the New Orleans campaign that culminated with the Battle of New Orleans on January 8,1815. Radford, Victor and the Pirate: A Story of New Orleans During the War of 1812, Childcraft (Vol. he found that there had already been a small colony established, founded by Spaniard . Jean Lafitte was a Privateer Captain in the early 19th century. When they had disembarked and were surrounded by his men, Lafitte identified himself to them. Despite Laffite warning the other Baratarians of a possible military attack on their base, a US naval force successfully invaded in September 1814 and captured most of his fleet. [4] He notes that still other contemporary accounts claim that Lafitte was born in Ordua, Spain, or in Westchester County, New York, north of Manhattan. The headquarters consisted of a two-storey building facing the inland harbor, where landings were made. [21] In January 1813, they took their first prize, a Spanish hermaphrodite brig loaded with 77slaves. According to historian William C. Davis, Laffite began a public relationship with his mistress in 1815, Catherine (Catiche) Villard, a free woman of color. Forced to leave the city, Lafitte decided to set up shop on a small island in Barataria Bay, about 40 miles south of New Orleans, to continue his smuggling ways. Thankful for their help with the American victory, in February 1815 President James Madison offered pardons to the Baratarians for any crimes committed against the United States. Jean Lafitte's ship was named "The General Jackson". 1417 Harborside Drive, Galveston, TX ( Directions) One of over 200 historical markers on the island, this marker is located at the former house Maison Rouge of notorious pirate Jean Lafitte. (The United States and the United Kingdom had prohibited the Atlantic slave trade after 1808, but Spain continued to import slaves to the Caribbean.) Sale of the slaves and additional cargo generated $18,000 in profits. Lafitte possibly took an assumed name, John Lafflin, and may have given that surname to his younger two sons. "[98] No American newspaper published an obituary of him. These questions 2001-11-18 04:00:00 PDT Wallisville, Texas -- Using a machete, Anahuac Jack hacks through branches . Like Barataria, Galveston was a seaward island that protected a large inland bay. Lots of glass also. My Grandpa told me often when I was very young that everyone thought that Lafittes fort was on Grand Isle, but it never was. It is quite certain that Napoleon is buried in Paris and that Jones, who died in 1792, is buried at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. Modern Day Depiction of the Baratarian Pirate and Brother of Jean Lafitte . hidden treasures have been told time and time again in childrens books, video [77], At its peak the colony had more than two thousand inhabitants and 120 separate structures. Discover New Orleans' rich cultural mix. States officials granted him legal authority to pirate and capture British Much to the [58] On December 19, the state legislature passed a resolution recommending a full pardon for all of the former residents at Barataria. And the ship berry bros found look for gold on land nearby. Our exclusive brands & quality merchandise are created to inspire a unique & recognizable Joie de vivre~Pirate Lifestyle with worldwide appeal! ), Nicolas, p. 277. states that he held a local (acting) rank of Captain of Royal Marines, R.L. The business was so profitable because Lafitte was selling smuggled, foreign goods to the people of New Orleans. She was the sister of Marie Villard, the mistress of his brother, Pierre. However, reports suggest that the anglers had been fishing for . . In 1821, the schooner USS Enterprise was sent to Galveston to remove Lafitte from the Gulf. [118][Note 4], Lafitte is paid tribute at Disneyland by a ship anchor monument with an accompanying plaque found in New Orleans Square. "I think he realized very quickly in Galveston that it was not going to work, as evidenced by how short lived that . SS Jean Lafitte may refer to one of two Type C2-S-E1 ships built by Gulf Shipbuilding for the United States Maritime Commission: . Annual income reached more than $2 million ($35.4million in today's terms) in stolen currency and goods. But why? (He was actually more of a land based businessman than a privateer or pirate at sea.) . Jean Lafitte in 1813. [75] Lafitte interviewed all newcomers and required them to take an oath of loyalty to him. Believing that the Americans would eventually prevail in the war against Britain, Lafitte thought he could more easily defeat the US revenue officers than he could the British Navy. [41] The legislature appointed a committee to study the matter but, as most of their constituents benefitted by the smuggling, they never authorized the militia. A number of details about Jean Lafitte's early life remain obscure and often sources contradict each other. Numerous novels and stories refer to Lafitte's exploits. There are many stories about famed pirate Jean Lafitte, but one places his lost buried treasure at the bottom of a lake right here in East Texas. Check out our jean lafitte selection for the very best in unique or custom, handmade pieces from our prints shops. One of the pirate's captains had attacked an American merchant ship. Catiche became pregnant and gave birth to their son, Jean Pierre, on November 4, 1815. When he attacked some United States ships, the government sent in troops to capture him. Long-lost pirate ship may lie in Texas lake / Historical treasure could be wreck of Jean Lafitte. Having lived It was stuck in the crack of the stairs. [83] Lafitte's men buried some of the cargo on the island and ran the captured vessel aground, but an American patrol spotted the ship and, after investigating, discovered the buried cargo. Widely publicized, the raid was hailed by the Niles' Weekly Register as "a major conquest for the United States". [He] is supposed to have captured one hundred vessels of all nations, and certainly murdered the crews of all that he took, for no one has ever escaped him. Captain Campbell became a farmer and remained so until his death in 1856. [88] In October or November 1821, Lafitte's ship was ambushed as he attempted to ransom a recent prize. They married and had two sons together, Jules Jean and Glenn Henri. . Walk in the footsteps of the men who fought at 1815's Battle of New Orleans. Louisianas Nice little interesting overview but the bit many accounts say lafitte settled in Galveston casts unnecessary doubt, The settlement in Galveston (Campeche) is firmly established in the history, theres even a museum there about it. This has become the common spelling in the United States, including places named after him.[1]. However, the United States did not recognize the government of Cartagena as a legal one and U.S. offi cials suspected Lafittes men of attacking any ships they saw, and so the U.S. government charged Lafitte and his crew with piracy. These goods were at a high demand and otherwise illegal due to the Embargo Act of 1807. [18] Seamen flocked to the island, working on the docks or at the warehouses until they were chosen as crew for one of the privateers.[19]. His knowledge of the swamps helped him to make quick getaways. The judge ruled that Patterson should get the customary share of profits from the goods that had already been sold, but he did not settle the ownership of the ships. and the fear of being captured, Lafitte allegedly buried his treasure with the Legend holds that the Pirate Jean LaFitte, or in some other versions Santa Anna, left treasure at Hendrick's Lake near Tatum. This account of Lafitte's death is not accepted by all historians. He and his older brother Pierre spelled their last name Laffite, but English language documents of the time used "Lafitte". and its inlets. To this day, Date of Birth - Death c. 1780-unknown. After his three children were grown, Lafitte fell sick in his 50s. [94] For the first time, Lafitte was legally authorized to take Spanish ships. in south Louisianas bayous for so long, Lafitte had also become an expert with [95], Lafitte continued to patrol the shipping lanes around Cuba. It's not known who her father was. Jean Lafitte (ca. I always heard that an area Boat Company Owner started his business with a 5 gallon bucket of silver taken from that area. By 1806, several "Captain Lafitte"s operated in New Orleans; Jean Lafitte was likely one of them. [20] As the schooner did not have an official commission from a national government, its captain was considered a pirate operating illegally. [83] Two weeks after setting sail, they captured a Spanish ship, which they sent to Galveston, hoping the Longs would smuggle the goods to New Orleans. Jean had taken the helm of a band of pirates when the U.S. found itself at war with . mystery afoot! There were also those who considered him a hero. The Americans took custody of six schooners, one felucca, and a brig, as well as 20cannon and goods worth $500,000. The letters gave the ships permission to attack ships from all nations. Jean was a handsome man by all accounts, of great personal charm and became . By 1810, the island had become a booming port. [64] He formally requested clemency for the Lafittes and the men who had served under them. The corsairs aimed the artillery at the Karankawa, killing most of the men in the tribe. With the threat of imprisonment [93], In June 1822, Lafitte approached the officials in the Great Colombia, whose government under General Simn Bolvar had begun commissioning former privateers as officers in its new navy. The Temple was located just North of what is today Little Lake, in Lafittes time it was Little Lake Barataria, where Bayou Perot and Bayou Rigolets meet. He seemed to think the whole world was against him, and he determined to be against the world. The government granted them all a full pardon on February 6.[65][66]. This information begs the question, though, How did Jean Lafitte have treasure in the first place, and if he did, why would he leave it behind?. Lafitte's ship is called "The Pride," but that's something they've already found. 5, 7. [86][Note 2], Lafitte and his men continued to take Spanish ships in the Gulf of Mexico and often returned to Galveston or the barrier islands near New Orleans to unload cargo or take on supplies arranged by Pierre. And whether it's a pirate's ship or not, they hope it's a clue to their ultimate treasure. They will haunt you in your dreams for making a He had been credited with much, and accused of plenty, yet there is doubt even. Jean Lafitte (c.1780 c.1823) was a French pirate and privateer who operated in the Gulf of Mexico in the early 19th century. The captured schooner was not considered useful for piracy and so after they had unloaded its cargo, the Lafittes returned the ship to its former captain and crew. 1417 Harborside Drive. Historical Marker. [30] The US built warships to operate on the Great Lakes but in other areas supplemented its navy by offering letters of marque to privately-owned armed vessels. [116] Many researchers noticed a similarity between John Laflin's handwriting and the writing in the journal. ", This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google, A family in Baytown, Texas tell their story. Pierre Lafitte had another son, his namesake Pierre, born from his first marriage to Marie LaGrange, who died in childbirth. there were treasure legends, and the most common story is that Lafitte stranded a ship, a Spanish ship with gold, in Matagorda Bay in Corpus and was taking it to St. Louis on some wagon trains over roads that don .