In 1817, Jean founded a new colony on Galveston Island named Campeche. [117] Laflin had been previously accused of forging letters purportedly from Abraham Lincoln, Andrew Jackson, and Davy Crockett. The story may have begun because Pierre Lafittes mistress owned a building on St. Phillip Street across from todays Blacksmith Shop. [33], Although under indictment, in March 1813 Lafitte registered as captain of Le Brig Goelette la Diligente for a supposed journey to New York. [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. In the ensuing gunfight, one of the revenue officers [39] was killed and two others were wounded. Many of the smugglers wanted to lynch the British men, but Lafitte intervened and placed guards outside his home to ensure their protection. He was buried at sea in the Gulf of Honduras. Even the date and place of his birth and death are unknown. Could it be that there were multiple burial locations [116], In 1980, the manuscript was donated to the Sam Houston Regional Library and Research Center in Texas. [77], At its peak the colony had more than two thousand inhabitants and 120 separate structures. Lafitte, Campbell & Pirates | Texas City, TX Another account says Lafitte married Christina Levine at the age of seventeen. 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. Only six houses survived as habitable.[80]. The Baratarians invited the British officers to row to their island. Rosenberg Library, Galveston (Public Domain) Jean Lafitte (galement orthographi Laffite, c. 1780 - c. 1820) tait un meneur franco-amricain de pirates et de corsaires qui captura des navires marchands de diffrents tats dans le golfe du Mexique de 1810 1820. . in south Louisianas bayous for so long, Lafitte had also become an expert with They believe now they've found his sunken ship. [85] Almost half of the combined crew refused to sail as pirates; Lafitte allowed them to leave aboard his largest ship, the brig General Victoria. They were tried for piracy, and found guilty. Jean Lafitte (c.1780 - c.1823) - Genealogy - geni family tree [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. that the treasure was on board one of Lafittes vessels and sank to the ocean My grandfather never got to look for the treasure s. Ive heard he would sometimes slip into Mobile Bay. Jean Lafitte: A trial for piracy. mystery afoot! A number of details about Jean Lafitte's early life remain obscure and often sources contradict each other. [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. [24] They outfitted it with 12 fourteen-pounder cannons. (The United States and the United Kingdom had prohibited the Atlantic slave trade after 1808, but Spain continued to import slaves to the Caribbean.) You can see a small door that was covered. The marker was erected in 1965 by the Texas Historical Commission. Lafitte conducted most of his business aboard his ship, The Pride, where he also lived. [38] Following the reward offer, Lafitte wrote Claiborne a note denying the charges of piracy. In the popular Japanese manga/anime series, Jean Laffite is a character in the historical fiction novels, Jean Lafitte is a character in the (2014) science-fiction, mystery novel, Tom Cooper uses Lafitte's and treasure in his novel. Other variations of the mystery say Lafitte buried the treasure in . Jean Laffite's treasure in the Sabine River - Lone star treasure 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. Switching gears back to Louisiana, this Jean Lafitte tale quotes a former student of Mount Carmel Academy in New Orleans stating that the treasure is buried near an oak tree on the schools campus. Jean Lafitte - Encyclopdie de l'Histoire du Monde 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. British forces sought access to the Mississippi River to gain control of the interior of the US. Sale of the slaves and additional cargo generated $18,000 in profits. Researchers say the vessels sit in 25 feet water depth at the north of Big Bradford Island. Legend said it was a ship Lafitte sunk or said he sunk in the Old Sabine River while being pursued by a federal gunboat. Jean Lafitte. Like a little wooden barrel. Around the same time it became illegal to bring slaves from Africa into Louisiana; it later became illegal to import slaves into the rest of the United States. 3. have buried a large cache of treasure somewhere in the bayous of Louisiana. [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. chagrin of the locals that helped drain the swamp, there was no trace of the Within two days of Lafitte's notes, Pierre "escaped" from jail. 2. 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. even tales that the treasure was not intentionally buried. [9], Acknowledging that details of Lafitte's first twenty years are sparse, Davis speculates that Lafitte spent much time at sea as a child, probably aboard ships owned by his father, a known trader. Catiche became pregnant and gave birth to their son, Jean Pierre, on November 4, 1815. And whether it's a pirate's ship or not, they hope it's a clue to their ultimate treasure. The smuggling operations of the well-known privateer eventually came to a screeching halt, though, when the United States began enforcing the embargo in New Orleans city limits some time after the act passed. Most of these battles took place at or near Chalmette Plantation, now Chalmette Battlefield and part of Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve. He requested approval to raise a militia company to "disperse those desperate men on Lake Barataria whose piracies have rendered our shores a terror to neutral flags". Robertson was incensed by Lafitte's operation, calling his men "brigands who infest our coast and overrun our country". on Grand Terre. the Texas Gulf Coast. 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. They had 3 children together: Jean Antoine Lafitte, Lucien Jean Lafitte, and Denise Jeanette Lafitte. Other variations of the mystery say Lafitte buried the treasure in multiple It was stuck in the crack of the stairs. Look it up. Metal detector companies may be the only satisfied goal to once again evade U.S. seizure and to come back to it later. (Spain had become an ally of the British against the French.) The Indians in the Mandeville area helped him escape to the Pearl River. This has become the common spelling in the United States, including places named after him.[1]. [40], Claiborne appealed to the new state legislature, citing the lost revenues due to the smuggling. The Jean Lafitte Swamp Tour, held in the eponymous Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve, is also named after the pirate/privateer. When he attacked some United States ships, the government sent in troops to capture him. They had two children together. William Bartlett explored a three-hundred-year-old shipwreck. [63] On land and sea, the former pirate gunners earned praise as the battle continued. 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. 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. He is best known for his role in the Battle of New Orleans during the War of 1812. (He was actually more of a land based businessman than a privateer or pirate at sea.) Jean Lafitte - Etsy The Mystery of the Final Years of Jean Lafitte Lafitte's Treasure Links [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. These goods were at a high demand and otherwise illegal due to the Embargo Act of 1807. The Laffites subsequently became spies for the Spanish during the Mexican War of Independence. The American warship which captured him turned Lafitte over to the local authorities, who promptly released him. this mystery still has historians, researchers, and treasure hunters alike His game was spread far and wide and there were those who feared and hated him. [52], Following the custom of the times, Patterson filed a legal claim for the profits from the confiscated ships and merchandise. In 1814, the U.S. sent a naval force to invade Lafittes fleet and was mostly successful, seizing many of Lafittes comrades and ships. His men burned the Maison Rouge, fortress, and settlement. [35] Lafitte soon acquired a letter of marque from Cartagena, but never sent any booty there. [95], Lafitte continued to patrol the shipping lanes around Cuba. He was evidently able to speak English reasonably well and most likely had a working knowledge of Spanish. [79] It was being developed for cotton culture, as invention of the cotton gin had made short-staple cotton profitable. [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. 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. ), Nicolas, p. 277. states that he held a local (acting) rank of Captain of Royal Marines, R.L. [82] Maison Rouge is believed to have stood at 1417 Harborside Drive near the Galveston wharf, but the foundations there have been dated to the 1870s. [102] Ramsay believes that over time, almost "every foot of Grande Isle has been spaded for pirate gold". [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. There were no chests. He was accompanied by a Royal Marine infantry captain, John McWilliam,[45][46] who had been given a package to deliver to Lafitte. Lafitte worked with several smugglers, including Jim Bowie, to profit from the poorly written law. The letters gave the ships permission to attack ships from all nations. Lafitte's fate has remained a mystery for 183 years. the naval operations and common routes of port ships in the Mississippi River The United States made the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. The crew would create a manifest that listed not the provisions that had been purchased, but smuggled items stored at Barataria. Legends of the Gulf Coast museum on the Strand. This story was told to me several years ago by a man in his 80 s Back in 1940 or 41 two men hired to clean up around what is said to be Lafittes red house disapeared after a few days. [52], a man who, for about two years past, has been famous for crimes that the civilized world wars against. I also. . I always wondered why the searchers were only local, and that an organized big search never happened but it never did. 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]. 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. Its in the concrete shell stairs. There are many accounts that say Lafitte settled in Long-lost pirate ship may lie in Texas lake / Historical treasure could be wreck of Jean Lafitte. residents of Texas have claimed that the treasure was buried somewhere along In September 1814, British military officials sought Lafittes help in their campaign to attack the U.S. from the Gulf of Mexico. . [67] By early 1817, other revolutionaries had begun to congregate at Galveston, hoping to make it their base to wrest Mexico from Spanish control. Some speculate it was Jean. While his fleet took a hit, Lafitte himself managed to evade capture. [4][5] In the late 18th century, adult children of the French planters in Saint-Domingue often resettled along the Mississippi River in La Louisiane, especially in its largest city of New Orleans. both men served under Governor Bernardo de Galvez during the American Revolution and can be found listed on the New Orleans Militia Roster. His treasure A $27 million treasure supposedly lies buried on Pelican Island. Captain Campbell became a farmer and remained so until his death in 1856. 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. . . Jean Lafitte is thought to have died in 1823, whilst attacking a Spanish ship. You'll need to arrive by 5:30pm and bring your ID plus there is a $3.00 USD boarding fee. he found that there had already been a small colony established, founded by Spaniard . New Orleans issued six such letters, primarily to smugglers who worked with Lafitte at Barataria. "[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. Although the plans were scrapped, a bricked up entrance close to the Pirates of the Caribbean ride pays homage to this idea.[125]. Those looking for Gold, Diamonds, Jewelry etc wont find it. [115] The paper and ink were analyzed and confirmed to be of mid-19th-century origin. The brothers stripped down their original ship and used its guns to outfit the new one. 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). For the town named after him, see. [94] For the first time, Lafitte was legally authorized to take Spanish ships. Jean Lafitte [73] Aury returned to Galveston several months later, but he left in July when he realized that the men were unwilling to revolt. His men tore down the existing houses and built 200 new, sturdier structures. The Galveston Legend of the Infamous Pirate Jean Lafitte The ship's kitchen stove was found intact. [49] He sent a message to the Americans that few of his men favored helping the British but said he needed 15 days to review their offer. 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 . 5 , Mexican outpost further south along the Gulf Coast, Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve, Sam Houston Regional Library and Research Center, List of people pardoned or granted clemency by the president of the United States, "FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS: GENERAL QUESTIONS", "Jean Laffite as a Father | Historia Obscura", "The Legend of Jean LaFoote Advertising Week 360 AW360", "Cinnamon Crunch (Cap'n Crunch) Cereal | MrBreakfast.com", "Then and Now: Lafitte's Anchor at Disneyland Park", "20 Things You May Not Know About Disneyland's Pirates of the Caribbean Ride", "History and a Behind the Scenes Look at the Pirates of the Caribbean Attraction in Disneyland", "Why is the Name Jean Lafitte Everywhere at Disneyland", History of the second war between the United States of America and Great Britain: declared by act of Congress, the 18th of June, 1812, and concluded by peace, the 15th of February, 1815, Jean Lafitte: Gentleman Pirate of New Orleans, "Jean LaFitte's piratical topsail schooner", History, photos and movies about Jean Lafitte, Paris Declaration Respecting Maritime Law, Jim Hawkins and the Curse of Treasure Island, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Jean_Lafitte&oldid=1142807831, Recipients of American presidential pardons, Pages using embedded infobox templates with the title parameter, All articles with specifically marked weasel-worded phrases, Articles with specifically marked weasel-worded phrases from July 2018, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, pirate, privateer, spy, naval artillery officer, slave trader. He was given a burial at sea in the Gulf Of Honduras and speculation about the whereabouts of his treasure hoard has . [7], According to Ramsay, as a young man, Lafitte likely spent much time exploring the wetlands and bayou country south of New Orleans. Widely publicized, the raid was hailed by the Niles' Weekly Register as "a major conquest for the United States". [5], Lafitte's native language was clearly French, though the specific dialect is a matter of some debate. Lafitte also always insisted that he was a privateer, not a pirate. By 1806, several "Captain Lafitte"s operated in New Orleans; Jean Lafitte was likely one of them. Subscribe to the Pelican State of Mind blog by providing your email below! On February 13, he escaped, likely with outside help. Other documents of the period place his birthplace as St. Malo or Brest. Lafitte attempted to take what appeared to be two Spanish merchant vessels on the night of February 4. There are One of the pirate's captains had attacked an American merchant ship. Expedition Unknown exclusive clip: Finding Jean Lafitte's treasure But the treasure is in my best belief to be in Galveston. After Napoleons exile to St. Helena by the English in 1815, the story says Lafitte put a double in his place and smuggled him into the United States, but that Napoleon died on the trip. He and his elder brother, Pierre, spelled their last name Laffite, but English-language documents of the time used "Lafitte", and this is the commonly seen spelling in the United States, including for places named for him. [60], On December 23, advance units of the British fleet reached the Mississippi River. Click the image below to read our free eBook "The Big Book of Credit Union MythsBUSTED! [27], Governor William C.C. [42], Following the charges of November 10, 1812, and subsequent arrest and jailing of his brother Pierre, Jean Lafitte operated the piracy and smuggling business.