He was so wealthy that he built his own secret smugglers colony on the islands south of New Orleans. Thousands of miles away, and two centuries later, from where Laffite made his name, in Lincolnton, North Carolina, people continue to visit . Jean Lafitte became labeled by some as a End of Campeche[edit] In 1821, the schooner USS Enterprise was sent to Galveston to remove Lafitte from the Gulf. Jean Lafitte - Students | Britannica Kids | Homework Help He vowed his intention to make indiscriminate war upon all God . Lafitte for a time lived a lavish lifestyle, complete with servants and the finest housewares and other accoutrements.[78]. Because of his track record and reputation, Jean Lafitte was still seen as a criminal in the eyes of the United States. In late 1815 and early 1816, the Lafitte brothers agreed to act as spies for Spain, which was embroiled in the Mexican War of Independence. One of the pirate's captains had attacked an American merchant ship. Orleanshe did not disappoint. He was accompanied by a Royal Marine infantry captain, John McWilliam,[45][46] who had been given a package to deliver to Lafitte. Jean Laffite | Biography & Facts | Britannica In November 1822, he made news in the American press after escorting an American schooner through the pirate-infested area and providing them with extra cannon balls and food.[96]. Where: 1859 Ashton Villa, 2328 Broadway Ave. J, Galveston. When you cross Bayou Des Allemands on Hwy 90, looking down the bayou to the south its a short ride to where the primary temple location was. Louisiana State University alumnus (Geaux Tigers), fanatic of all things sports, pugs, and Star Wars, and teller of the occasional dad joke. Lafitte agreed to leave the island without a fight, and on May 7, 1821, departed on The Pride. Lafitte decided to warn American authorities and offered to help defend New Orleans in exchange for a pardon for his men. Resentful of the raid on Barataria, Lafitte's men refused to serve on their former ships. The buccaneer Jean Lafitte and other pirates sailed the Gulf to . The Galveston Legend of the Infamous Pirate Jean Lafitte (He was actually more of a land based businessman than a privateer or pirate at sea.) One of the pirate's captains had attacked an American merchant ship. [61] The British began advancing upon the American lines on December 28, but were repulsed by an artillery crew manned by two of Lafitte's former lieutenants, Renato Beluche and Dominique Youx. Key to remember is that Lafitte was a business man, who turned merchandise that he acquired into money. Merchants in New Orleans began to run out of goods to sell. Throughout Lafittes Jean Lafitte (c. 1780 - c. 1823) was a French pirate and privateer who operated in the Gulf of Mexico in the early 19th century. He sold those at his location The Temple. The money that he sold them for was Spanish Coin, Reales usually in 2,4,8 denominations, minted in Mexico. 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. New Orleans 2. Could it be that there were multiple burial locations Jean Lafitte (c. 1780 - c. 1823) . He achieved notoriety through his daring exploits, but also for having "the coolest name ever.". Jean Lafitte was a French pirate and privateer who operated from New Orleans, Louisiana. Lafitte, Campbell & Pirates | Texas City, TX The benefits of Jean Lafitte agreement to the British were numerous and well calculated. [28] The residents of New Orleans were grateful to the Lafittes for providing them with luxuries otherwise prevented from importing by the embargo. Having lived on Grand Terre. At its height, the colonists and privateers earned millions of dollars annually from stolen or smuggled coin and goods. The men working for Lafitte were called Baratarians because the waterways they used for smuggling were located in an area called Barataria (the Barataria Preserve of Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve is located in this area). 1823) was a French pirate and privateer in the Gulf of Mexico in the early 19th century. The Sabin, a ship belonging to Robert Kleberg and Van Roeder, is said to have sunk with valuables off Galveston Island. Officials released the smugglers after they posted bail, and they disappeared and refused to return for a trial. Even the date and place of his birth and death are unknown. . The brothers stripped down their original ship and used its guns to outfit the new one. The Mystery of the Final Years of Jean Lafitte . The brothers adapted the captured ship for use in piracy and named it Dorada. When a giant storm hit the region, the raft was washed away and destroyed. While his fleet took a hit, Lafitte himself managed to evade capture. [23], The brothers soon acquired a third ship, La Diligente. For the first time, it was made available for research. Jean Lafitte - Buried Treasures of the Notorious Pirate of the Gulf An 1802 newspaper ad mentioned a blacksmith named Lafi tte, but no first name was given and the shop was not at the corner of Bourbon and St. Phillip streets where the business known as Jean Lafi ttes Blacksmith Shop stands today. In the 1938 and 1958 films The Buccaneer, Lafitte claims he never attacked an American ship. Jean Laffite's treasure in the Sabine River - Lone star treasure Look it up. (In English documents, his last name was often spelled Lafitte, but Laffite was the spelling used by Jean and his brother Pierre.) One story even this mystery still has historians, researchers, and treasure hunters alike Small but made like a brick. On November 10, 1812, United States District Attorney John R. Grymes charged Lafitte with "violation of the revenue law. Louisiana is not exclusive to rumors of the treasures whereabouts too, as even tales that the treasure was not intentionally buried. Others formed three artillery companies. 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. In 1978, Congress created Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve, combining Chalmette National Historical Park (established in 1938) with the Louisiana state park and authorizing a visitor center in the French Quarter. William Bartlett explored a three-hundred-year-old shipwreck. Those looking for Gold, Diamonds, Jewelry etc wont find it. The park was named after Lafitte because of his smuggling operations in the area. Learn Cajun traditions from people who live them. Lafitte was horribly excited by the result of this trial. A representative of the smuggler would purchase the slaves at the ensuing auction, and the smuggler would be given half of the purchase price. Though much of his life has been obscured by legend and time, the story of 19th-century French pirate Jean Lafitte is nonetheless one of intrigue, crime, and heroics. [74], In less than a year, Lafitte's colony grew to 100200 men and several women. He landed ships at Grand Terre and Cheniere, and then brought the merchandise to The Temple to be auctioned. However, due to a combination of the enhantments that were cast on the ship, the fanatical loyalty of her crew, the ledgentary will of Jean Lafitte, and decades of personification by powerful beings, a spirit was bornkniting together the souls of the . His men burned the Maison Rouge, fortress, and settlement. In 1812, several Baratarians including both Pierre and Jean Lafitte were captured but jumped bail. in south Louisianas bayous for so long, Lafitte had also become an expert with These men were pardoned after testifying that they had deserted from Lafitte's ship in Galveston when they discovered that it did not have a valid privateering commission. In later years, he was described as having "a more accurate knowledge of every inlet from the Gulf than any other man". The letters gave the ships permission to attack ships from all nations. Jean Lafitte's fabeled ship, The Pride, sunk well over a hundred years ago. Despite this, no silver bars were found. The United States made the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. Check out our jean lafitte selection for the very best in unique or custom, handmade pieces from our prints shops. In a personal note, Lafitte reminded Blanque that his brother Pierre was still in jail and deserved an early release. "Ladies and gentlemen, meet Jean Lafitte. Exactly where he was from remains a bit clouded, [63] On land and sea, the former pirate gunners earned praise as the battle continued. In 1948, John Andrechyne Laflin approached the Missouri Historical Society with a French-language manuscript he claimed was a journal Lafitte kept from 1845 until 1850. They sailed three ships, which Davis described as likely "one of the largest privately owned corsair fleets operating on the coast, and the most versatile. The slave smuggling business expanded in 1809 when Jean joined his brother in the Crescent City and the two found a new source of enslaved people: French privateers commissioned to attack Britain . Widely publicized, the raid was hailed by the Niles' Weekly Register as "a major conquest for the United States". He is best known for his role in the Battle of New Orleans during the War of 1812. [75] Lafitte interviewed all newcomers and required them to take an oath of loyalty to him. Here, there would be lots of different activities for the kids. Modern Day Depiction of the Baratarian Pirate and Brother of Jean Lafitte . He fled New Orleans to Lake Pontchartrain. Some accounts say The Lost Hideaway of Jean Lafitte - Lone Star Ghost Towns - Google Jean Lafitte (1780-1823) was a legendary French privateer and pirate who resided in the Gulf of Mexico throughout the early 19th century and was widely believed to have been born in either the French colony of Saint-Domingue or in Basque-France. But remember Lafittes black dogs are still around dont go a hunting unless you are prepared to suffer the consequences. Was he a pirate, a patriot, or both? After first escaping with some crew, he and his men were captured and jailed. [116] Many researchers noticed a similarity between John Laflin's handwriting and the writing in the journal. Although the handbills were made in Lafitte's name, Ramsay believes "it is unlikely [the handbills] originated with him". In 1958, Laflin self-published an English translation of the journal. Christina died after the birth of their daughter. Jean-Baptiste Francisco Lafitte (1782-1823) - WikiTree Jean Lafitte was likely born in 1782, although he was not baptized until 1786. . There's Lafitte's Treasure Casino right off the Grand Coteau exit on I-49; Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve Acadian-Cultural Center and the Lafitte Oaks on Jefferson Island, where the pirate is said to have buried some of his treasure. 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?. So next time you're walking past the . Most of his men had believed that Lafitte had a valid privateering commission although there was confusion as to which country had issued it. But the gold and diamond jewl was the confirmation I needed. Click the image below to read our free eBook "The Big Book of Credit Union MythsBUSTED! The man also owned documents claiming Lafi tte lived until the 1850s and was buried in Alton, Illinois. Jean or Pierre? Who is the Lafitte brother buried in Yucatan Governor Claiborne of Louisiana once offered a $500 reward to anyone who captured Jean Laffite; Laffitte offered a counter reward of $5,000 to anyone who captured the governor.