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. Over the next few months, the British Navy increased patrols in the Gulf of Mexico, and by August they had established a base at Pensacola. The second item was a personal note to Lafitte from McWilliam's superior, Lieutenant Colonel Edward Nicolls, urging him to accept the offer.[47]. residents of Texas have claimed that the treasure was buried somewhere along There are many stories about what happened to Lafitte and where he died. Louisiana State University alumnus (Geaux Tigers), fanatic of all things sports, pugs, and Star Wars, and teller of the occasional dad joke. Jean had taken the helm of a band of pirates when the U.S. found itself at war with . and the fear of being captured, Lafitte allegedly buried his treasure with the Very old 3 x 3 nches by 2 inches. The Laffite Society, which promotes historical research and education about Lafitte's life and times, meets the second Tuesday of each month. He was said to use it as a base for arranging the transfer of smuggled goods. After Jean Lafitte and his Baratarian crew finished fighting in New Orleans, and received their promised pardon, Lafitte could not maintain a simple private life for long, so he returned to life on the high seas. Josh Gates is on a mission to find the hidden treasure of Jean Lafitte, the French pirate and privateer, this week on Expedition Unknown. Lost Gold of Jean Lafitte | Expedition Unknown Wiki | Fandom They had two children together. Rogers was a member of Jean Lafitte's pirate crew in 1812. 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. Louisianas Jan 25, 2007. (Spain had become an ally of the British against the French.) An American ship was boarded near our coast, . Jean Laffite was a French pirate and privateer born circa 1780. It was specifically intended to prohibit trade with the United Kingdom, as tensions were increasing between the two countries. (The United States and the United Kingdom had prohibited the Atlantic slave trade after 1808, but Spain continued to import slaves to the Caribbean.) and an infant son[who?]. Jean Laffite | Biography & Facts | Britannica This has become the common spelling in the United States, including places named after him.[1]. Retired Avenger, current NFL free agent. [38] Following the reward offer, Lafitte wrote Claiborne a note denying the charges of piracy. A statue dedicated to the pirate Jean Lafitte can be found next to the water by the fishing boats In February 1823, the infamous pirate Jean Lafitte, severely wounded from an encounter with Spanish warships, sailed his schooner General Santander westward from the coast of Cuba into oblivion. Subscribe to the Pelican State of Mind blog by providing your email below! The brothers adapted the captured ship for use in piracy and named it Dorada. "[64] Jackson named Jean and Pierre Lafitte for having "exhibited the same courage and fidelity". Lafitte's ship is called "The Pride," but that's something they've already found. Their patrols and interventions reduced the number of active pirates in the region. Could it be [68] Two weeks into his stay, the two leaders of the revolutionaries left the island. 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 . Claiborne took a leave of absence in September 1810, leaving Thomas B. Robertson as acting governor. The business was so profitable because Lafitte was selling smuggled, foreign goods to the people of New Orleans. Jean Lafitte- Pirates, Catacombs, and a Legend - Just Disney . He is considered something of a historic anti-hero in Louisiana and around the Gulf of Mexico, having engaged in smuggling and piracy for a number of years yet - during the Battle of New Orleans in 1815 - helped defend the city from the . In the early 1800s, Lafitte makes a fortune in treasure by raiding ships in the Gulf of Mexico . Despite the Treaty of Ghent having been signed, and peace ensuing, it would take months for the news to reach New Orleans. He was buried at sea in the Gulf of Honduras. Uninterested in exports from New Orleans, customs agents rarely checked the accuracy of the manifests. In February 1823, Lafitte was cruising off the town of Omoa, Honduras, on his schooner General Santander. That night his remaining men reboarded the General Victoria and destroyed its masts and spars, crippling the ship, but they left the crew unharmed. Jean Lafitte proves to be an aberration as he acted as patriot to the United States during the War of 1812. 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. Dissatisfied with their role as brokers, in October 1812 the Lafitte brothers purchased a schooner and hired Captain Trey Cook to sail it. Jean Lafitte was a Privateer Captain in the early 19th century. [38], Given the success of his auctions at the Temple, in January 1814 Lafitte set up a similar auction at a site just outside New Orleans. There were also those who considered him a hero. His exact whereabouts after that are unknown. Josh Gates investigates the legends swirling around the storied life and death of French pirate Jean Lafitte who is reputed to have buried treasure at sites in coastal Louisiana. Jean Lafitte - Interesting stories about famous people, biographies On April 18, he sailed for New Orleans to report his activities. Before we dive A mysterious shipwreck is capturing imaginations as a team of researchers sift through the remnants of an early 19th-century vessel located 150 miles off the Galveston Island coast.. [69] With Spanish permission, Lafitte returned to Galveston, promising to make weekly reports of his activities.[70]. 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. It's okay, because we're here to bust them! 3. The Mystery of the Final Years of Jean Lafitte . [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. A smuggler of epic proportions, Jean Lafitte had an army of privateers with as many as 1,000 men ultimately making him an invaluable asset for America in the War of 1812. 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. Throughout Lafittes . Little is known of Laffite's early life, but by 1809 he and his brother Pierre apparently had established in New Orleans a blacksmith shop that reportedly served as . Our exclusive brands & quality merchandise are created to inspire a unique & recognizable Joie de vivre~Pirate Lifestyle with worldwide appeal! 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. Families with the surname Lafitte have been found in Louisiana documents from 1765. . Search for buried booty in Texas treasure hunt - KSAT "Very few shipwrecks have been found that still have the stove intact," Irion said. He refused to allow anyone else to see the original documents until 1969, when he sold them to a professional document dealer. SS Jean Lafitte - Wikipedia For the town named after him, see. Is his last name spelled Lafi tte or Laffi te? The benefits of Jean Lafitte agreement to the British were numerous and well calculated. One of the pirate's captains had attacked an American merchant ship. Beyond Oak Island: 50 MILLION DOLLAR PIRATE TREASURE *Jean Lafitte's The smugglers wounded one of the officers and safely escaped with the contraband. The Dread Jewish Pirate Jean Lafitte - Tablet Magazine After his three children were grown, Lafitte fell sick in his 50s. Jean Lafitte was a Franco-American privateer captain and pirate of the Caribbean sea who operated off of Baratia Bay, Louisiana in the early 19th century. The man also owned documents claiming Lafi tte lived until the 1850s and was buried in Alton, Illinois. A representative of the smuggler would purchase the slaves at the ensuing auction, and the smuggler would be given half of the purchase price. treasure to speak of. The Mystery of the Final Years of Jean Lafitte Lafitte's Treasure Links Rumors abounded that he had changed his name after leaving Galveston and disappeared, that he was killed by his own men shortly after leaving Galveston, or that he had rescued Napoleon and that both had died in Louisiana. Actually, his men attacked several American ships but apparently did not kill any crewmen, possibly because they did not fight back. The Laffites subsequently became spies for the Spanish during the Mexican War of Independence. on Grand Terre. According to one account, published in 1885, The Historical Guide to New Orleans, Jean Lafitte died of sickness on the island of Mugeres, off the Yucatan, in 1826. The boys were given a basic Catholic education. I have a metal detector. Jean Lafitte was a pirate and privateer known for his smuggling operations. Why the pirate Jean Lafitte was known as The Terror of the Gulf of The Pride. 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. [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. [52], Following the custom of the times, Patterson filed a legal claim for the profits from the confiscated ships and merchandise. [7] that will never end. Laflin said he himself was a descendant of Jean Lafitte and had found the book in a trunk he had inherited. States officials granted him legal authority to pirate and capture British On February 13, he escaped, likely with outside help. An attorney representing Lafitte argued that the captured ships had flown the flag of Cartagena, an area at peace with the United States. Most of these battles took place at or near Chalmette Plantation, now Chalmette Battlefield and part of Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve. His brother Pierre Lafitte was a blacksmith. Britain and the United States declared war in June 1812, but until 1814, most of the fighting took place on the east coast or northern border of the United States. You will see it gets its name from the treasure being buried there. The smuggler became the lawful owner of the slaves and could resell them in New Orleans, or transport them for sale in other parts of the Deep South, which was the major slave market of the time. In 1966, Louisiana authorized a state park to be established at the present site of the Barataria Preserve. Jean Lafitte was also offered a position in the British Royal Navy as a captain. Jean Lafitte - Buried Treasures of the Notorious Pirate of the Gulf 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. That was more of his commerce center, again where he exchanged merchandise for coin. [37] The following month, the governor offered a $500 reward for Lafitte's capture. ), Nicolas, p. 277. states that he held a local (acting) rank of Captain of Royal Marines, R.L. The information I found about the Don Felipe treasure was research I did online not sure if it . 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). Because of his track record and reputation, Jean Lafitte was still seen as a criminal in the eyes of the United States. Was he a pirate, a patriot, or both? The Galveston Legend of the Infamous Pirate Jean Lafitte GALVESTON.COM: Historical Marker: Jean Lafitte - Galveston, TX Widely publicized, the raid was hailed by the Niles' Weekly Register as "a major conquest for the United States". He suggested that the line be extended to a nearby swamp, and Jackson ordered it done. Lafitte became very familiar with, and eventually mastered, an illegal smuggling profession, which translated into an extremely lucrative career for him. According to Ramsay, Lafitte, his elder brother Pierre, and his widowed mother migrated from Saint-Domingue to New Orleans in the 1780s. Jean Lafitte was a French pirate and privateer who operated from New Orleans, Louisiana. [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. Several times customs officials and soldiers tried to capture Lafi tte in the swamps, but they were usually captured, wounded, or killed by the Baratarians. Lafitte's ship is called "The Pride," but that's something they've already found. From Pirates to shipwrecks along its coastline to its history of explorers it's no wonder that Florida has lost treasure to be found. [116] Handwriting analysis experts affirmed that conclusion. [35] Lafitte soon acquired a letter of marque from Cartagena, but never sent any booty there. Christina died after the birth of their daughter. Jean-Baptiste Francisco Lafitte (1782-1823) - WikiTree Although the plans were scrapped, a bricked up entrance close to the Pirates of the Caribbean ride pays homage to this idea.[125]. 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. [5] No samples of his writing survive, except his signature; his surviving letters were always written by a secretary. But the gold and diamond jewl was the confirmation I needed. The most notorious New Orleans smuggler and gentleman pirate was Jean Lafitte. Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop is named after him. He was chased all over the Gulf of Mexico by the U.S. Navy, all his ships burned except for his flagship, The Pride. consisted of the currency he would receive in exchange for his foreign goods as The crew would create a manifest that listed not the provisions that had been purchased, but smuggled items stored at Barataria. By 1810, the island had become a booming port. Other variations of the mystery say Lafitte buried the treasure in . We use cookies to provide you with the best possible browsing experience. Robertson was incensed by Lafitte's operation, calling his men "brigands who infest our coast and overrun our country". [15] The Lafitte brothers began to look for another port from which they could smuggle goods to local merchants. He was born in Port-au-Prince on the Caribbean island now known as Haiti, where his father was a tanner who made a comfortable enough living to educate his sons well. He was accompanied by a Royal Marine infantry captain, John McWilliam,[45][46] who had been given a package to deliver to Lafitte. Registration for Pierre Lafitte's ship Goelette la Dilidente,a 136 ton schooner, captained by . Louisiana's most well-known buried treasure mystery still to this day is the unfound treasure of Jean Lafitte. and brother in the early 1800s. It was cloudy with low visibility. In 1953 several fishermen in the area landed about $625,000 of the treasure using their fishing nets. Radford, Victor and the Pirate: A Story of New Orleans During the War of 1812, Childcraft (Vol. . The Indians in the Mandeville area helped him escape to the Pearl River. On September 3, 1814, the British ship HMS Sophie fired on a pirate ship returning to Barataria. Pierre Lafitte had another son, his namesake Pierre, born from his first marriage to Marie LaGrange, who died in childbirth. Lafitte named his colony Campeche, after a Mexican outpost further south along the Gulf Coast. Jean LaFitte, that colorful character who roamed the Gulf Coast in the early 1800s was said to be many things - smuggler, pirate and patriot. 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. Another site near Niblett's Bluff, 40 Gums, had previously been searched. A grand jury indicted Pierre Lafitte after hearing testimony against him by one of the city's leading merchants. Many of the city's merchants were unhappy with this auction, because it allowed their customers to buy goods directly from Lafitte at a lower price than the merchants could charge in the city. [122] He is also referred to in the Pirates of the Caribbean ride in which the boat dock is labeled LaFitte's Landing. Later United States President James Madison pardoned him and his men for their acts of piracy. In 1821, the schooner USSEnterprise was sent to Galveston to remove Lafitte from the Gulf. goal to once again evade U.S. seizure and to come back to it later. Louisiana planters had a hard time buying enough American-born slaves to work on their everexpanding sugar and cotton plantations. times as a smuggler and privateer, he became very wealthy. Numerous novels and stories refer to Lafitte's exploits. By 1806, several "Captain Lafitte"s operated in New Orleans; [] games, shows, and moviesbut what if they werent made up just for the sake of "Ladies and gentlemen, meet Jean Lafitte. floor after a shipwreck. 13 Lost Treasures of Florida [25] Dorada captured a fourth ship, a schooner they renamed Petit Milan. Jean Lafitte, The French Pirate King Who Saved Louisiana [72] Ships operating from Galveston flew the flag of Mexico, but they did not participate in the revolution. This would later be used to his great advantage. [116], In 1980, the manuscript was donated to the Sam Houston Regional Library and Research Center in Texas. 1776 - ca. Jean Lafitte is thought to have died in 1823, whilst attacking a Spanish ship. [91] When Lafitte and other pirates operating in the area began attacking merchant ships carrying legal goods to Cuba, they angered Cuban officials. These goods were at a high demand and otherwise illegal due to the Embargo Act of 1807. Lafitte may have had as many as 1000 people working for him, including free men of color and runaway slaves. Jean Lafitte's fabeled ship, The Pride, sunk well over a hundred years ago. the treasure be today? [36], In October, a revenue officer prepared an ambush of a band of Lafitte's smugglers. A hurricane in September resulted in flooding of most of the island, and several people died. Mysterious shipwreck off Galveston is full of surprises: A great He was probably born in the early 1780s in either France or the French colony of St. Domingue (now Haiti) in the Caribbean. As JeanLafitte.net explains, in 1948, a man named John Andrechyne Laflin went to the Missouri Historical Society with a document called The Journal of Jean Lafitte, which he claimed was the authentic memoir and scrapbook of the famed pirate. says that a swamp in the Natalbany River in Springfield, Louisiana, was drained Jean Lafitte - World History Encyclopedia He said his ships would sail as pirates. Legend holds that the Pirate Jean LaFitte, or in some other versions Santa Anna, left treasure at Hendrick's Lake near Tatum. Mention the name "Jean Lafitte" to people of a certain age and they will immediately think of Cap'n Crunch cereal and its mascot and namesake, whose ship, the SS Guppy, was often attacked in commercials by Jean Lafoote, the Barefoot Pirate.Unlike in real life, Lafoote's punishment was to get his own breakfast cereal -- Jean LaFoote's Cinnamon Crunch. There is no . Baratarias swamps and bayous stretched south of New Orleans to the Gulf of Mexico. Later, in return for a legal pardon, Laffite and his fleet helped General Andrew Jackson during the Battle of New Orleans to defend the city during the War of 1812. After Lafitte's men abducted a Karankawa woman, warriors of her tribe attacked and killed five men of the colony. . 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. In 1807 the United States outlawed trade with Great Britain and France because of the Napoleonic Wars in Europe. Other variations of the mystery say Lafitte buried the treasure in multiple Galveston County, Texas Lost Treasures | The Rocker Box 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. Long-lost pirate ship may lie in Texas lake / Historical - SFGATE On the trail of East Texas' buried treasure Lafitte also always insisted that he was a privateer, not a pirate. And where? In September 1814, British military officials sought Lafittes help in their campaign to attack the U.S. from the Gulf of Mexico. War & Affiliation War of 1812 / American. At this time an English captain offered Lafitte $30,000 and a commission to help the British attack New Orleans. Although the handbills were made in Lafitte's name, Ramsay believes "it is unlikely [the handbills] originated with him". [48] Lafitte had copies of the letters sent to Jean Blanque, a member of the state legislature who had invested in the Barataria operation. When he attacked some United States ships, the government sent in troops to capture him. In 1812, the United States and the United Kingdom went to war. Jean's brother Pierre Lafitte died on the way to Dzilam and he was buried in Dzilam in an old cemetery, which later eroded into the sea. [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]. Check out our jean lafitte selection for the very best in unique or custom, handmade pieces from our prints shops. [60], On December 23, advance units of the British fleet reached the Mississippi River. The silver that Lafitte accumulated from selling captured slaves, cotton, and other goods was stored in wooden kegs or casks. What did the USS Enterprise do to 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. To this day, Official Blog of Pelican State Credit Union. However, reports suggest that the anglers had been fishing for . Most of Jean Lafitte's life remains shrouded in mystery, including his name. . Other documents of the period place his birthplace as St. Malo or Brest. Having lived If you study your info you will be lost. [7] His elder brother Pierre became a privateer; he may have operated from Saint-Domingue, which frequently issued letters of marque. Jean Lafitte Flags - JEAN LAFITTE TRADING COMPANY [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. storytelling? 419 Decatur St His maternal grandfather had been executed by the Inquisition for "Judaizing". [74], In less than a year, Lafitte's colony grew to 100200 men and several women. There is even an event in La Porte, Texas centered around the treasure called the Annual Search for Lafittes Gold.. The Historic New Orleans Collection, 1983.123.8. What: Lecture and book signing. The Untold Truth Of Jean Lafitte, The Pirate Of New Orleans - Grunge.com