Lafitte, Jean and Pierre

Submitted by Frances (Ball) Turner

From The History of Louisiana by Chambers pub. 1925

Vol. I, pg. 518

Jean Lafitte and his brother, Pierre Lafitte, were natives of St. Malo, in France, who, coming to New Orleans, had opened a blacksmith shop. But the legitimate working in iron was a slow process of wealth accumulation. bootlegging of contraband merchandise from Barataria was seen as more profitable. The Lafitte brothers became the agents of the Baratarians. Theirs the part to send word to merchants exactly what goods were available. In their conduct of this part of the business their power and authority over those whom they served so increased that they made themselves leaders of the piratical-smuggling aggretation, which by this time had been largely augmented as to numbers. Thenceforth the Baratarians were known as Lafitte's men. Jean Lafitte ruled the otherwise unruly with an iron hand. He was possessed of all the dominant traits of stern and unyielding leadership. His brother, Pierre, was possessed of these qualities to a lesser degree. It was Jean Lafitte who from the time he took command was the head and front of these offenders.

pg. 530

The British had learned of the dissatisfaction of the Creoles with American rule, and thought they had only to appear upon the scene to have the Creoles flock to the British standard. How little did they estimate the true temper and feeling of the people they had calculated upon winning over so easily. These people were idolizers of Napoleon notwithstanding the setting of his star. No foe of France could be friend of theirs. Even Jean Lafitte and his Baratarians refused to listen to the blandishments of the English. Lafitte was offered the commission of Post Captain in the English navy and an assured future if he would but join the British and supply them with information concerning the various intricate water approaches to New Orleans. Notwithstanding the Louisiana government had put a price upon his head, Lafitte communicated the British offer to Governor Claiborne and tendered the services of himself and men to aid in the defense of the city, an offer which Claiborne could not be reject in view of the fact that these outlaws had been flouting his authority and bringing humiliation upon him before the people (footnote: When Claiborne offered a reward of $500 for the arrest of Lafitte, the latter responded with the offer of $5,000 to any one who would deliver Claiborne to him, a retaliation that afforded the Creoles much amusement.). When General Jackson arrived, however, he gladly accepted Lafitte's offer.