The Pirates Own Book (9 page)

J. LAFITTE.

His object in writing that letter was, by appearing disposed to accede
to their proposals, to give time to communicate the affair to the
officers of the state government, and to receive from them instructions
how to act, under circumstances so critical and important to the
country. He accordingly wrote on the 4th September to Mr. Blanque, one
of the representatives of the state, sending him all the papers
delivered to him by the British officers with a letter addressed to his
excellency, Gov. Claiborne of the state of Louisiana.

To Gov. CLAIBORNE.

Barrataria, Sept
. 4
th
, 1814.

Sir—In the firm persuasion that the choice made of you to fill the
office of first magistrate of this state, was dictated by the esteem of
your fellow citizens, and was conferred on merit, I confidently address
you on an affair on which may depend the safety of this country. I offer
to you to restore to this state several citizens, who perhaps in your
eyes have lost that sacred title. I offer you them, however, such as you
could wish to find them, ready to exert their utmost efforts in defence
of the country. This point of Louisiana, which I occupy, is of great
importance in the present crisis. I tender my services to defend it; and
the only reward I ask is that a stop be put to the proscription against
me and my adherents, by an act of oblivion, for all that has been done
hitherto. I am the stray sheep wishing to return to the fold. If you are
thoroughly acquainted with the nature of my offences, I should appear to
you much less guilty, and still worthy to discharge the duties of a good
citizen. I have never sailed under any flag but that of the republic of
Carthagena, and my vessels are perfectly regular in that respect. If I
could have brought my lawful prizes into the ports of this state, I
should not have employed the illicit means that have caused me to be
proscribed. I decline saying more on the subject, until I have the honor
of your excellency's answer, which I am persuaded can be dictated only
by wisdom. Should your answer not be favorable to my ardent desires, I
declare to you that I will instantly leave the country, to avoid the
imputation of having cooperated towards an invasion on this point, which
cannot fail to take place, and to rest secure in the acquittal of my
conscience.

I have the honor to be

your excellency's, &c.

J. LAFITTE.

The contents of these letters do honor to Lafitte's judgment, and
evince his sincere attachment to the American cause. On the receipt of
this packet from Lafitte, Mr. Blanque immediately laid its contents
before the governor, who convened the committee of defence lately formed
of which he was president; and Mr. Rancher the bearer of Lafitte's
packet, was sent back with a verbal answer to desire Lafitte to take no
steps until it should be determined what was expedient to be done; the
message also contained an assurance that, in the meantime no steps
should be taken against him for his past offences against the laws of
the United States.

At the expiration of the time agreed on with Captain Lockyer, his ship
appeared again on the coast with two others, and continued standing off
and on before the pass for several days. But he pretended not to
perceive the return of the sloop of war, who tired of waiting to no
purpose put out to sea and disappeared.

Lafitte having received a guarantee from General Jackson for his safe
passage from Barrataria to New Orleans and back, he proceeded forthwith
to the city where he had an interview with Gov. Claiborne and the
General. After the usual formalities and courtesies had taken place
between these gentlemen, Lafitte addressed the Governor of Louisiana
nearly as follows. I have offered to defend for you that part of
Louisiana I now hold. But not as an outlaw, would I be its defender. In
that confidence, with which you have inspired me, I offer to restore to
the state many citizens, now under my command. As I have remarked
before, the point I occupy is of great importance in the present crisis.
I tender not only my own services to defend it, but those of all I
command; and the only reward I ask, is, that a stop be put to the
proscription against me and my adherents, by an act of oblivion for all
that has been done hitherto.

"My dear sir," said the Governor, who together with General Jackson, was
impressed with admiration of his sentiments, "your praiseworthy wishes
shall be laid before the council of the state, and I will confer with my
August friend here present, upon this important affair, and send you an
answer to-morrow." At Lafitte withdrew, the General said farewell; when
we meet again, I trust it will be in the ranks of the American army. The
result of the conference was the issuing the following order.

The Governor of Louisiana, informed that many individuals implicated in
the offences heretofore committed against the United States at
Barrataria, express a willingness at the present crisis to enroll
themselves and march against the enemy.

He does hereby invite them to join the standard of the United States and
is authorised to say, should their conduct in the field meet the
approbation of the Major General, that that officer will unite with the
governor in a request to the president of the United States, to extend
to each and every individual, so marching and acting, a free and full
pardon. These general orders were placed in the hands of Lafitte, who
circulated them among his dispersed followers, most of whom readily
embraced the conditions of pardon they held out. In a few days many
brave men and skillful artillerists, whose services contributed greatly
to the safety of the invaded state, flocked to the standard of the
United States, and by their conduct, received the highest approbation of
General Jackson.

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

A PROCLAMATION.

"Among the many evils produced by the wars, which, with little
intermission, have afflicted Europe, and extended their ravages into
other quarters of the globe, for a period exceeding twenty years, the
dispersion of a considerable portion of the inhabitants of different
countries, in sorrow and in want, has not been the least injurious to
human happiness, nor the least severe in the trial of human virtue.

"It had been long ascertained that many foreigners, flying from the
dangers of their own home, and that some citizens, forgetful of their
duty, had co-operated in forming an establishment on the island of
Barrataria, near the mouth of the river Mississippi, for the purpose of
a clandestine and lawless trade. The government of the United States
caused the establishment to be broken up and destroyed; and, having
obtained the means of designating the offenders of every description, it
only remained to answer the demands of justice by inflicting an
exemplary punishment.

"But it has since been represented that the offenders have manifested a
sincere penitence; that they have abandoned the prosecution of the worst
cause for the support of the best, and, particularly, that they have
exhibited, in the defence of New Orleans, unequivocal traits of courage
and fidelity. Offenders, who have refused to become the associates of
the enemy in the war, upon the most seducing terms of invitation; and
who have aided to repel his hostile invasion of the territory of the
United States, can no longer be considered as objects of punishment, but
as objects of a generous forgiveness.

"It has therefore been seen, with great satisfaction, that the General
Assembly of the State of Louisiana earnestly recommend those offenders
to the benefit of a full pardon; And in compliance with that
recommendation, as well as in consideration of all the other
extraordinary circumstances in the case, I,
James Madison
, President
of the United States of America, do issue this proclamation, hereby
granting, publishing and declaring, a free and full pardon of all
offences committed in violation of any act or acts of the Congress of
the said United States, touching the revenue, trade and navigation
thereof, or touching the intercourse and commerce of the United States
with foreign nations, at any time before the eighth day of January, in
the present year one thousand eight hundred and fifteen, by any person
or persons whatsoever, being inhabitants of New Orleans and the adjacent
country, or being inhabitants of the said island of Barrataria, and the
places adjacent;
Provided
, that every person, claiming the benefit of
this full pardon, in order to entitle himself thereto, shall produce a
certificate in writing from the governor of the State of Louisiana,
stating that such person has aided in the defence of New Orleans and
the adjacent country, during the invasion thereof as aforesaid.

"And I do hereby further authorize and direct all suits, indictments, and
prosecutions, for fines, penalties, and forfeitures, against any person
or persons, who shall be entitled to the benefit of this full pardon,
forthwith to be stayed, discontinued and released: All civil officers
are hereby required, according to the duties of their respective
stations, to carry this proclamation into immediate and faithful
execution.

"Done at the City of Washington, the sixth day of February, in the year
one thousand eight hundred and fifteen, and of the independence of the
United States the thirty-ninth.

"By the President,

"JAMES MADISON

"JAMES MONROE,

"
Acting Secretary of State
."

The morning of the eighth of January, was ushered in with the discharge
of rockets, the sound of cannon, and the cheers of the British soldiers
advancing to the attack. The Americans, behind the breastwork, awaited
in calm intrepidity their approach. The enemy advanced in close column
of sixty men in front, shouldering their muskets and carrying fascines
and ladders. A storm of rockets preceded them, and an incessant fire
opened from the battery, which commanded the advanced column. The
musketry and rifles from the Kentuckians and Tennesseans, joined the
fire of the artillery, and in a few moments was heard along the line a
ceaseless, rolling fire, whose tremendous noise resembled the continued
reverberation of thunder. One of these guns, a twenty-four pounder,
placed upon the breastwork in the third embrasure from the river, drew,
from the fatal skill and activity with which it was managed, even in
the heat of battle, the admiration of both Americans and British; and
became one of the points most dreaded by the advancing foe.

Here was stationed Lafitte and his lieutenant Dominique and a large band
of his men, who during the continuance of the battle, fought with
unparalleled bravery. The British already had been twice driven back in
the utmost confusion, with the loss of their commander-in-chief, and two
general officers.

Two other batteries were manned by the Barratarians, who served their
pieces with the steadiness and precision of veteran gunners. In the
first attack of the enemy, a column pushed forward between the levee and
river; and so precipitate was their charge that the outposts were forced
to retire, closely pressed by the enemy. Before the batteries could meet
the charge, clearing the ditch, they gained the redoubt through the
embrasures, leaping over the parapet, and overwhelming by their superior
force the small party stationed there.

Lafitte, who was commanding in conjunction with his officers, at one of
the guns, no sooner saw the bold movement of the enemy, than calling a
few of his best men by his side, he sprung forward to the point of
danger, and clearing the breastwork of the entrenchments, leaped,
cutlass in hand, into the midst of the enemy, followed by a score of his
men, who in many a hard fought battle upon his own deck, had been well
tried.

Astonished at the intrepidity which could lead men to leave their
entrenchments and meet them hand to hand, and pressed by the suddenness
of the charge, which was made with the recklessness, skill and rapidity
of practised boarders bounding upon the deck of an enemy's vessel, they
began to give way, while one after another, two British officers fell
before the cutlass of the pirate, as they were bravely encouraging their
men. All the energies of the British were now concentrated to scale the
breastwork, which one daring officer had already mounted. While Lafitte
and his followers, seconding a gallant band of volunteer riflemen,
formed a phalanx which they in vain assayed to penetrate.

The British finding it impossible to take the city and the havoc in
their ranks being dreadful, made a precipitate retreat, leaving the
field covered with their dead and wounded.

General Jackson, in his correspondence with the secretary of war did not
fail to notice the conduct of the "Corsairs of Barrataria," who were, as
we have already seen, employed in the artillery service. In the course
of the campaign they proved, in an unequivocal manner, that they had
been misjudged by the enemy, who a short time previous to the invasion
of Louisiana, had hoped to enlist them in his cause. Many of them were
killed or wounded in the defence of the country. Their zeal, their
courage, and their skill, were remarked by the whole army, who could no
longer consider such brave men as criminals. In a few days peace was
declared between Great Britain and the United States.

The piratical establishment of Barrataria having been broken up and
Lafitte not being content with leading an honest, peaceful life,
procured some fast sailing vessels, and with a great number of his
followers, proceeded to Galvezton Bay, in Texas, during the year 1819;
where he received a commission from General Long; and had five vessels
generally cruising and about 300 men. Two open boats bearing commissions
from General Humbert, of Galvezton, having robbed a plantation on the
Marmento river, of negroes, money, &c., were captured in the Sabine
river, by the boats of the United States schooner Lynx. One of the men
was hung by Lafitte, who dreaded the vengeance of the American
government. The Lynx also captured one of his schooners, and her prize
that had been for a length of time smuggling in the Carmento. One of
his cruisers, named the Jupiter, returned safe to Galvezton after a
short cruise with a valuable cargo, principally specie; she was the
first vessel that sailed under the authority of Texas. The American
government well knowing that where Lafitte was, piracy and smuggling
would be the order of the day, sent a vessel of war to cruise in the
Gulf of Mexico, and scour the coasts of Texas. Lafitte having been
appointed governor of Galvezton and one of the cruisers being stationed
off the port to watch his motions, it so annoyed him that he wrote the
following letter to her commander, Lieutenant Madison.