States officials granted him legal authority to pirate and capture British . His maternal grandmother and mother, both Conversos, fled Spain for France in 1765. Treasure hunter Christian Roper is searching for Jean Lafitte's buried treasure that could be worth over 50 million dollars today - he meets with Rick and Ma. Jean Lafitte proves to be an aberration as he acted as patriot to the United States during the War of 1812. It reads that a cache of ancient gold coins was found near Jefferson island. Lafitte proved an invaluable ally for the United States in the War of 1812 and the 1815 Battle of New Orleans, assisting General Andrew Jackson (1767-1845) to victory against the British. But remember Lafittes black dogs are still around dont go a hunting unless you are prepared to suffer the consequences. into these uncharted waters, we need to know more about who Lafitte was. The government granted them all a full pardon on February 6.[65][66]. Jean Lafitte's fabeled ship, The Pride, sunk well over a hundred years ago. By 1805 he is believed to have been running a warehouse in New Orleans and possibly a store on Royal Street. In 1807 the United States outlawed trade with Great Britain and France because of the Napoleonic Wars in Europe. In 1817, Jean founded a new colony on Galveston Island named Campeche. "Finding out who Lafitte really was," Cody Hix said. Smith believes he found a sunken ship on Google Earth in 2006 in Refugio, just north of Corpus Christi. [87] The congressional delegation in Louisiana began to demand that the federal government do something to halt the smuggling, and more US Navy ships were sent to the Gulf. 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). [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. "It started for us with this family story," Cody Hix said. even tales that the treasure was not intentionally buried. Despite this, no silver bars were found. Laffite is believed to have been born either in Basque-France or the French colony of Saint-Domingue in the Caribbean. [89], Over the next few months, Lafitte established a base along the coast of Cuba, where he bribed local officials with a share of the profits. [62], Patterson praised the Barataria men who served on one of the US Navy ships, and whose skill with artillery was greater than their British counterparts. [34] Biographer Jack Ramsay speculates that the voyage was intended to "establish [Lafitte] as a privateering captain". 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. They took 80 people captive, but Lafitte escaped safely. Jean Lafitte was a Privateer Captain in the early 19th century. A family in Baytown, Texas tell their story as they believe they found one of Lafittes sunken ships. [48] He had also been told in August that American officials were planning an assault on Barataria with forces under the command of Commodore Daniel Patterson. What did the USS Enterprise do to Jean Lafitte? [37] The following month, the governor offered a $500 reward for Lafitte's capture. It destroyed four ships and most buildings. Rogers started his own pirate fleet in 1818. . After Jean's reported death in the mid-1820s, the widowed Catiche took up with Feliciano Ramos. He was nursed back to health by Emma Hortense Mortimer. Slaves captured in such actions who were turned over to the customs office would be sold within the United States, with half the profits going to the people who turned them in. Could it be 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. Lafitte tried to convince the Americans that they had nothing to fear from him. The story may have begun because Pierre Lafittes mistress owned a building on St. Phillip Street across from todays Blacksmith Shop. Lafitte visited in March 1817. Uninterested in exports from New Orleans, customs agents rarely checked the accuracy of the manifests. Louisianas My Grandpa told me often when I was very young that everyone thought that Lafittes fort was on Grand Isle, but it never was. The Indians in the Mandeville area helped him escape to the Pearl River. Families with the surname Lafitte have been found in Louisiana documents dating as early as 1765. (Ramsay (1996), pp. Jean Lafitte spent most of his time in Barataria managing the daily hands-on business of outfitting privateers and arranging the smuggling of stolen goods. 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. [50], Lafitte committed himself and his men for any defensive measures needed by New Orleans. Lafitte was associated with the three original sites of the park: he roamed the streets of New Orleans French Quarter, navigated the swamps of the Barataria Preserve, and helped the Americans win the Battle of New Orleans at Chalmette Battlefield. but what is clear is that he settled in the New Orleans area with his mother . In 1966, Louisiana authorized a state park to be established at the present site of the Barataria Preserve. The crew would create a manifest that listed not the provisions that had been purchased, but smuggled items stored at Barataria. He was probably born in the early 1780s in either France or the French colony of St. Domingue (now Haiti) in the Caribbean. One story even To this day, Due to escalating violence from the Haitian Revolution, in early 1803 Pierre boarded a refugee ship for New Orleans.Davis (2005), pp. The law left several loopholes, giving permission to any ship to capture a slave ship, regardless of the country of origin. [10], Sources indicate that Lafitte was sharp and resourceful, but also handsome and friendly, enjoying drinking, gambling, and women. He was so wealthy that he built his own secret smugglers colony on the islands south of New Orleans. After first escaping with some crew, he and his men were captured and jailed. Due to escalating violence from the Haitian Revolution, in early 1803 Pierre boarded a refugee ship for New Orleans. He could have stashed some treasure somewhere along the Eastern shore. Jean was sent to Galveston Island, a part of Spanish Texas that served as the home base of Louis-Michel Aury, a French privateer who claimed to be a Mexican revolutionary. Pinkerton is a mysterious figure. Louisiana historians know Jean Lafitte as the pirate who, shortly before Christmas in 1814, surrendered his plunder to fight alongside Colonel Andrew Jackson to save the City of New Orleans. any leads as to where Lafittes treasure might be? Experts with . There are many accounts that say Lafitte settled in Another account says Lafitte married Christina Levine at the age of seventeen. On September 13, 1814, Commodore Daniel Patterson set sail aboard the USSCarolina for Barataria. Shipwrecks Near Fort Livingston Hold Treasures: Gold and silver coins that date from 1802 to 1809: Grand Terre Isle: The Parlange Plantation Treasure: $100,000 to $500,000 worth of gold and silver coins and jewelry: The stairs run beside it. [79] It was being developed for cotton culture, as invention of the cotton gin had made short-staple cotton profitable. ), Nicolas, p. 277. states that he held a local (acting) rank of Captain of Royal Marines, R.L. . Its off 435 about 12 miles from where he fled imprisonment to the Pearl River. "[55], When General Andrew Jackson arrived in New Orleans on December 1, 1814, he discovered the city had not created any defenses. His men tore down the existing houses and built 200 new, sturdier structures. Christina died after the birth of their daughter. . [44], Captain Nicholas Lockyer, the commander of the Sophie, had been ordered to contact the "Commandant at Barataria". Orleanshe did not disappoint. was born in France around the year 1780 and traveled to the United States when [31], As the smuggling operations reduced the amount of revenue collected by customs offices, American authorities were determined to halt business at Barataria. Jean Lafitte (c. 1780 - c. 1823) was a French pirate and privateer who operated in the Gulf of Mexico in the early 19th century. From there, he raided foreign ships in the Gulf of Mexico. Details: $10; galvestonhistory.org. below! Is the image on this article what the actual chest looked like? [117] Most historians now believe the Lafitte journal to be a forgery. He achieved notoriety through his daring exploits, but also for having "the coolest name ever.". "[33] Three days later, 40 soldiers were sent to ambush the Baratarians and captured Lafitte, his brother Pierre, and 25 unarmed smugglers on November 16, and confiscated several thousand dollars of contraband. The letters gave the ships permission to attack ships from all nations. If you were thoroughly acquainted with the nature of my offenses, I should appear to you much less guilty, and still worthy to discharge the duties of a good citizen. times as a smuggler and privateer, he became very wealthy. locations along the Gulf Coast. Britain maintained a powerful navy, but the United States had little naval power. With his business carrying on and continuing to grow, so did his wealth. He was said to use it as a base for arranging the transfer of smuggled goods. , His treasure Was he a pirate, a patriot, or both? They were tried for piracy, and found guilty. "Ladies and gentlemen, meet Jean Lafitte. They feared that Lafitte and his men might side with the British. Smugglers would purchase the slaves for a discounted price, march them to Louisiana, and turn them in to customs officials. [54] According to Ramsay, Claiborne next wrote to General Andrew Jackson, "implying Patterson had destroyed a potential first line of defense for Louisiana" by his capture of Lafitte and his ships. Catiche became pregnant and gave birth to their son, Jean Pierre, on November 4, 1815. Merchants in New Orleans began to run out of goods to sell. When they had disembarked and were surrounded by his men, Lafitte identified himself to them. Title Smuggler. These Letters of Marque would give the Captains and Crew permission to capture and steal the ship and cargo of the issuing government's enemies. The name Jean Lafitte is almost legendary around the upper areas of the Texas coastline. Jean Lafitte: A trial for piracy. Was it buried underground or lost under water? For the first time, it was made available for research. [71] Texas was lightly populated at this time, and the base had no significant populations nearby. Key to remember is that Lafitte was a business man, who turned merchandise that he acquired into money. They were held in port under custody of the United States Marshal. "[64] Jackson named Jean and Pierre Lafitte for having "exhibited the same courage and fidelity". [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 Lafitte (also spelt Laffite, c. 1780 to c. 1820 CE) was a Franco-American leader of pirates and privateers who captured merchant vessels of various states in the Gulf of Mexico from 1810 to 1820. Pierre Lafitte had another son, his namesake Pierre, born from his first marriage to Marie LaGrange, who died in childbirth. Many of the smugglers wanted to lynch the British men, but Lafitte intervened and placed guards outside his home to ensure their protection. She was the sister of Marie Villard, the mistress of his brother, Pierre. And the ship berry bros found look for gold on land nearby. We use cookies to provide you with the best possible browsing experience. - Advance Reservations Suggested - - Please check website for specific information and ticket pricing - Learn more about Jean Laffitte Pirate Dinner Cruise by visiting their . Most of the people were locals, from Lafourche Parish, the southern part, mainly Cut Off and Larose and the Gheens area, and also from the Des Allemands location. Pierre was to inform about the situation in New Orleans. He found his first Spanish gold coin in the year 2017. [82] Lafitte reportedly took immense amounts of treasure with him, and was accompanied by his mulatta mistress[who?] He heads off to a plantation (as a legend says that . 70130, Download the official NPS app before your next visit. [67] By early 1817, other revolutionaries had begun to congregate at Galveston, hoping to make it their base to wrest Mexico from Spanish control. 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 seemed to think the whole world was against him, and he determined to be against the world. A hurricane in September resulted in flooding of most of the island, and several people died. [64] He formally requested clemency for the Lafittes and the men who had served under them. [21] In January 1813, they took their first prize, a Spanish hermaphrodite brig loaded with 77slaves. Yet, Lafitte's strong connections to historical figures suggests that he was the culprit of this incident. In his disputed memoir work, Journal de Jean Lafitte, Lafitte claims to have been born in Bordeaux, France, in 1780, the child of Sephardic Jewish parents whose converso grandmother and mother . the Texas Gulf Coast. The Mystery of the Final Years of Jean Lafitte . Who was Jean Laffite? When a giant storm hit the region, the raft was washed away and destroyed. [35] Lafitte soon acquired a letter of marque from Cartagena, but never sent any booty there. . Galveston after his adventures in Louisiana. In January 1808, the government began to enforce the Embargo Act of 1807, which barred American ships from docking at any foreign port and imposed an embargo on goods imported into the US. They had 3 children together: Jean Antoine Lafitte, Lucien Jean Lafitte, and Denise Jeanette Lafitte. By 1812 Lafitte was the leader of the Baratarians with headquarters on Grand Terre, a barrier island in the Gulf of Mexico near Grand Isle. Throughout Lafittes Like a little wooden barrel. The Historic New Orleans Collection, 1983.123.8. In exchange, the king asked for Lafitte and his forces to promise to assist in the naval fight against the United States and to return any recent property that had been captured from Spanish ships. [24] They outfitted it with 12 fourteen-pounder cannons. instead of just one? Having lived He and another treasure hunter named Dan Beckingham found 4.5 million dollars worth of gold in the shallow waters of Florida. (The United States and the United Kingdom had prohibited the Atlantic slave trade after 1808, but Spain continued to import slaves to the Caribbean.) Stories of The Jean Lafitte Swamp Tour, held in the eponymous Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve, is also named after the pirate/privateer. The benefits of Jean Lafitte agreement to the British were numerous and well calculated. [15] The Lafitte brothers began to look for another port from which they could smuggle goods to local merchants. [122] He is also referred to in the Pirates of the Caribbean ride in which the boat dock is labeled LaFitte's Landing. Though Lafitte's home is gone, this property across the street from the Port of Galveston contains the ruins of a later structure and a trove of ghost tales. Workers would reload goods into smaller batches onto pirogues or barges, for transport through the many bayous to New Orleans. Jean had taken the helm of a band of pirates when the U.S. found itself at war with . Louisiana is not exclusive to rumors of the treasures whereabouts too, as in south Louisianas bayous for so long, Lafitte had also become an expert with Lafitte escaped. Louisiana planters had a hard time buying enough American-born slaves to work on their everexpanding sugar and cotton plantations. 3 and 4. [58] On December 19, the state legislature passed a resolution recommending a full pardon for all of the former residents at Barataria. Jean Lafitte became labeled by some as a Catiche had given birth to a daughter named Marie on November 10, 1813. His men burned the Maison Rouge, fortress, and settlement. The business was so profitable because Lafitte was selling smuggled, foreign goods to the people of New Orleans. Merchants and planters were eager to buy the goods and slaves Lafitte smuggled into south Louisiana. His knowledge of the swamps helped him to make quick getaways. He and his older brother Pierre spelled their last name Laffite, but English language documents of the time used "Lafitte".This has become the common spelling in the United States, including places named after him. "I'm proud of them. History suggests there is a possibility that hidden treasuresgold coins, doubloons, precious jewelryare somewhere beneath the surface just waiting to be found! [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. Subscribe to the Pelican State of Mind blog by providing your email below! They believe now they've found his sunken ship. [20] As the schooner did not have an official commission from a national government, its captain was considered a pirate operating illegally. Could it be that there were multiple burial locations Woodblock print of the death of Jean Lafitte from The Pirates Own Book, published in 1837. 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. What: Lecture and book signing. This area had been famous for smuggling even before privateers arrived in 1810 to use the deep water harbor of Barataria Bay. [101] Lafitte is rumored to have buried treasure at many locations, including Galveston and sites along coastal Louisiana, such as Contraband Bayou in Lake Charles. I was living in high island Texas .mostly driving the beach further east to sea rim. There is even an event in La Porte, Texas centered around the treasure called the Annual Search for Lafittes Gold.. . [99] In 1843, Mirabeau B. Lamar investigated many of the Lafitte stories and concluded that, while there were no authentic records of death, Lafitte was likely dead. [38] Officials tried to break up this auction by force. Lafitte was granted a commission and given a new ship, a 43-ton schooner named General Santander in honor to Vice-President General Francisco de Paula Santander. The Spanish ships appeared to be fleeing but at 10:00 pm turned back for a frontal counterattack against Lafitte's ship. Back in 1915, a city worker in New Orleans found a chest that was filled with over 1,500 . I have a metal detector. [43] Lafitte's ship grounded in shallow water where the larger British ship could not follow. But why? Throughout Barataria, Lafitte built warehouses to store goods and pens to hold slaves. [57], In mid-December, Jackson met with Lafitte, who offered to serve if the US would pardon those of his men who agreed to defend the city. Jean Laffite was a French pirate and privateer born circa 1780. . [101] In 1909, a man was given a six-year prison sentence for fraud after swindling thousands of dollars from people, by claiming that he knew where the Lafitte treasure was buried and taking their money for the promise to find it.[103].
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