Some historians recount that Lafitte went back to a life of crime, leaving the There are many stories about what happened to Lafitte and where he died. After Lafitte's men abducted a Karankawa woman, warriors of her tribe attacked and killed five men of the colony. That night his remaining men reboarded the General Victoria and destroyed its masts and spars, crippling the ship, but they left the crew unharmed. Lafitte was horribly excited by the result of this trial. The British raised a white flag and launched a small dinghy with several officers. . They submitted booty from captured British ships to the American authorities at New Orleans, and booty from all other ships was often channeled for sale on the markets through Lafitte's operation. A treasured mystery, Watch an alligator bask on a bayou's bank. "It started for us with this family story," Cody Hix said. Lafitte and several of his men rowed to meet them halfway. Robertson was incensed by Lafitte's operation, calling his men "brigands who infest our coast and overrun our country". In 1807 the United States outlawed trade with Great Britain and France because of the Napoleonic Wars in Europe. By 1806, several "Captain Lafitte"s operated in New Orleans; Jean Lafitte was likely one of them. "[26] For several months, the Lafittes would send the ships directly to New Orleans with legal cargo and would take on outgoing provisions in the city. [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. below! There's Lafitte's Treasure Casino right off the Grand Coteau exit on I-49; Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve Acadian-Cultural Center and the Lafitte Oaks on Jefferson Island, where the pirate is said to have buried some of his treasure. I also. If you study your info you will be lost. They took 80 people captive, but Lafitte escaped safely. There are many accounts that say Lafitte settled in Governor Claiborne of Louisiana once offered a $500 reward to anyone who captured Jean Laffite; Laffitte offered a counter reward of $5,000 to anyone who captured the governor. The building was surrounded by a moat and painted red; it became known as Maison Rouge. Those looking for Gold, Diamonds, Jewelry etc wont find it. However, reports suggest that the anglers had been fishing for . [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. unclear why Lafitte had to bury his treasure or even where he was last seen. but what is clear is that he settled in the New Orleans area with his mother [3], Lafitte and his brother Pierre also claimed to have been born in Bayonne. But the gold and diamond jewl was the confirmation I needed. Like a little wooden barrel. Due to escalating violence from the Haitian Revolution, in early 1803 Pierre boarded a refugee ship for New Orleans. Located on Bourbon Street, it is associated with Lafitte, who may have spent time there in his earlier years. 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. The headquarters consisted of a two-storey building facing the inland harbor, where landings were made. Is his last name spelled Lafi tte or Laffi te? Workers would reload goods into smaller batches onto pirogues or barges, for transport through the many bayous to New Orleans. [4], Some sources speculate that Lafitte was born in the French colony of Saint-Domingue (known as Haiti since it gained independence in 1804). Thankful for their help with the American victory, in February 1815 President James Madison offered pardons to the Baratarians for any crimes committed against the United States. [50], Lafitte committed himself and his men for any defensive measures needed by New Orleans. (He was actually more of a land based businessman than a privateer or pirate at sea.) The corsairs aimed the artillery at the Karankawa, killing most of the men in the tribe. 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. 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. "Very few shipwrecks have been found that still have the stove intact," Irion said. 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. [36], In October, a revenue officer prepared an ambush of a band of Lafitte's smugglers. Wheres your backyard? Guides educate the public on wildlife, Cajun culture, and life on the bayou. 1823) was a French pirate and privateer in the Gulf of Mexico in the early 19th century. In 1821, the schooner USS Enterprise was sent to Galveston to remove Lafitte from the Gulf. Researchers say the vessels sit in 25 feet water depth at the north of Big Bradford Island. . 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. both men served under Governor Bernardo de Galvez during the American Revolution and can be found listed on the New Orleans Militia Roster. 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. His warnings were not believed at fi rst and the U.S. Army and Navy went ahead with a planned attack on Lafittes base at Grand Terre. 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. 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. She placed Pierre to be raised by extended family elsewhere in Louisiana. [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. Other variations of the mystery say Lafitte buried the treasure in . Jean Lafitte (c. 1780 - c. 1823) was a French pirate and privateer who operated in the Gulf of Mexico in the early 19th century. Is the image on this article what the actual chest looked like? floor after a shipwreck. Check out our jean lafitte selection for the very best in unique or custom, handmade pieces from our prints shops. [63] On land and sea, the former pirate gunners earned praise as the battle continued. parties, as the Mystery of Jean Lafittes Unfound Treasure seems to be a voyage (The United States and the United Kingdom had prohibited the Atlantic slave trade after 1808, but Spain continued to import slaves to the Caribbean.) I have no doubt that the Historians will decry what Ive said here, and Im cool with that, I know what I saw and found, and I know what others saw and found. It reads that a cache of ancient gold coins was found near Jefferson island. [92] By the end of 1822, Cuba had banned all forms of sea raiding. The slave smuggling business expanded in 1809 when Jean joined his brother in the Crescent City and the two found a new source of enslaved people: French privateers commissioned to attack Britain . The park was named after Lafitte because of his smuggling operations in the area. Even the date and place of his birth and death are unknown. They were held in port under custody of the United States Marshal. They feared that Lafitte and his men might side with the British. Experts with . [13] He was educated with his brother at a military academy on Saint Kitts. Louisiana's most well-known buried treasure mystery still to this day is the unfound treasure of Jean Lafitte. And whether it's a pirate's ship or not, they hope it's a clue to their ultimate treasure. However, due to a combination of the enhantments that were cast on the ship, the fanatical loyalty of her crew, the ledgentary will of Jean Lafitte, and decades of personification by powerful beings, a spirit was bornkniting together the souls of the . . In September 1814, British military officials sought Lafittes help in their campaign to attack the U.S. from the Gulf of Mexico. The state of 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 treasure already found was Spanish Silver, not Gold. [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. [72] Ships operating from Galveston flew the flag of Mexico, but they did not participate in the revolution. One of the pirate's captains had attacked an American merchant ship. [33], Although under indictment, in March 1813 Lafitte registered as captain of Le Brig Goelette la Diligente for a supposed journey to New York. Merchants in New Orleans began to run out of goods to sell. To this day, 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. [61] The British began advancing upon the American lines on December 28, but were repulsed by an artillery crew manned by two of Lafitte's former lieutenants, Renato Beluche and Dominique Youx. Lafitte for a time lived a lavish lifestyle, complete with servants and the finest housewares and other accoutrements.[78]. that will never end. Jean Lafitte in 1813. [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. He wrote Jean Laffitte: Gentleman Rover based on the journal. In later years, he was described as having "a more accurate knowledge of every inlet from the Gulf than any other man". On this occasion Lafitte's ship had been in dire danger of attack as he prepared to enter the Calcasieu Pass, for he found that the New Orleans revenue cutter "Lynx" was engaged in antislaving patrols between him and the mouth of . This has become the common spelling in the United States, including places named after him.[1]. [73] Aury returned to Galveston several months later, but he left in July when he realized that the men were unwilling to revolt. United States no choice but to pursue his arrest. Many of the smugglers wanted to lynch the British men, but Lafitte intervened and placed guards outside his home to ensure their protection. Britain maintained a powerful navy, but the United States had little naval power. [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]. have buried a large cache of treasure somewhere in the bayous of Louisiana. The Temple was located just North of what is today Little Lake, in Lafittes time it was Little Lake Barataria, where Bayou Perot and Bayou Rigolets meet. Its in the concrete shell stairs. Some accounts say Could it be By clicking "Accept," you agree to the use of cookies on Pelican State of Mind. Inside a tunnel stylized as pirate's cattacombs would've led to Laffite's old hideout, a capsized ship in Sawyer's island. are why the mystery is still such an interesting topic todaymore than 200 [102] Ramsay believes that over time, almost "every foot of Grande Isle has been spaded for pirate gold". Jack C. Ramsay, who published a 1996 biography of Lafitte, says, "this was a convenient time to be a native of France, a claim that provided protection from the enforcement of American law". [116] Many researchers noticed a similarity between John Laflin's handwriting and the writing in the journal. 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. Subscribe to the Pelican State of Mind blog by providing your email below! In 1818, the Campeche colony suffered hardships. 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. Orleanshe did not disappoint. [52], Following the custom of the times, Patterson filed a legal claim for the profits from the confiscated ships and merchandise. New Orleans issued six such letters, primarily to smugglers who worked with Lafitte at Barataria. Very old 3 x 3 nches by 2 inches. Most of these battles took place at or near Chalmette Plantation, now Chalmette Battlefield and part of Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve. . But the treasure is in my best belief to be in Galveston. You'll need to arrive by 5:30pm and bring your ID plus there is a $3.00 USD boarding fee. (In English documents, his last name was often spelled Lafitte, but Laffite was the spelling used by Jean and his brother Pierre.) Jean Pierre, her son with Jean Lafitte, died at 17 during a cholera epidemic in New Orleans in October 1832. Lots of glass also. 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. [79] It was being developed for cotton culture, as invention of the cotton gin had made short-staple cotton profitable. [116], In 1980, the manuscript was donated to the Sam Houston Regional Library and Research Center in Texas. [53], Likely inspired by Lafitte's offer to help defend Louisiana, Governor Claiborne wrote the US Attorney General, Richard Rush requesting a pardon for the Baratarians, saying that for generations, smugglers were "esteemed honest [and] sympathy for these offenders is certainly more or less felt by many of the Louisianans". In April 1818, the United States passed a law prohibiting the import of slaves into any port in the United States. Jean Lafitte was a pirate and privateer known for his smuggling operations. They created a base on the small and sparsely-populated island of Barataria, in Barataria Bay. 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. It was, at least initially, relatively free of scrutiny from any of the governments in the region. Other variations of the mystery say Lafitte buried the treasure in multiple Christina died after the birth of their daughter. That was problematic for New Orleans merchants, who had relied heavily on trade with Caribbean colonies of other nations. His men tore down the existing houses and built 200 new, sturdier structures. Probably inside the hidden stairs that went to the first floor of his mason rouge. ships as a last-ditch effort to gain an advantage in the pivotal Battle of New 3. Jean Lafitte (c.1780 c.1823) was a French pirate and privateer who operated in the Gulf of Mexico in the early 19th century. Lafitte eventually returned to smuggling at Galveston Island in Spanish Texas until he was forced out by the U.S. Navy in 1820. The Baratarians. After his three children were grown, Lafitte fell sick in his 50s. 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. With his business carrying on and continuing to grow, so did his wealth. [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. [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. Learn Cajun traditions from people who live them. Other documents of the period place his birthplace as St. Malo or Brest. Campbell's Legacy. Jean Lafitte in south Louisianas bayous for so long, Lafitte had also become an expert with Lafitte attempted to take what appeared to be two Spanish merchant vessels on the night of February 4. . [27], Governor William C.C. [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. Guests could've been able to enter Laffite's crypt near the Haunted Mansion. Let us know in the comments [29], On June 18, 1812, the United States declared war on Britain. Jean Lafitte (c. 1780 - c. 1823) . [60], On December 23, advance units of the British fleet reached the Mississippi River. Jean Lafitte is said to have cached over 100 treasures on Galveston Island. By 1806, several "Captain Lafitte"s operated in New Orleans; [] 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: scrambling to find answers. The law left several loopholes, giving permission to any ship to capture a slave ship, regardless of the country of origin. He found his first Spanish gold coin in the year 2017. What: Lecture and book signing. 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. , Captain Campbell became a farmer and remained so until his death in 1856. The following day, Lafitte took command of the island and appointed his own officers. [75] Lafitte interviewed all newcomers and required them to take an oath of loyalty to him. Lafitte knew that his new business outfit was hidden well enough that U.S. officials wouldnt be able to find him. any leads as to where Lafittes treasure might be? that the treasure is in a different location now than where it was buried? Actually, his men attacked several American ships but apparently did not kill any crewmen, possibly because they did not fight back. . [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. Jacques St. Germain, The Infamous Louisiana Vampire, Jean Lafitte: Mystery of the Unfound Treasure, History of the Louisiana Snowball and Its Flavors. On September 3, 1814, the British ship HMS Sophie fired on a pirate ship returning to Barataria. [41] He was arrested, tried, convicted, and jailed on charges of "having knowingly and wittingly aided and assisted, procured, commanded, counselled, and advised" persons to commit acts of piracy". Founded in 1805 by the infamous pirate Jean Lafitte, the legendary Lafitte Trading Company is dedicated to preserving New Orleans' rich pirate history, culture & traditions. Jean Lafitte was a Privateer Captain in the early 19th century. 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. He suggested that the line be extended to a nearby swamp, and Jackson ordered it done. Because of his track record and reputation, Jean Lafitte was still seen as a criminal in the eyes of the United States. [115] The paper and ink were analyzed and confirmed to be of mid-19th-century origin. Although the handbills were made in Lafitte's name, Ramsay believes "it is unlikely [the handbills] originated with him". The fortune is said to have been stolen from the Spanish by Jean Lafitte. [20] As the schooner did not have an official commission from a national government, its captain was considered a pirate operating illegally. He landed ships at Grand Terre and Cheniere, and then brought the merchandise to The Temple to be auctioned. The silver that Lafitte accumulated from selling captured slaves, cotton, and other goods was stored in wooden kegs or casks. By 1810 he was in Louisiana with his older brother Pierre. 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 . 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). It was stuck in the crack of the stairs. Metal detector companies may be the only satisfied 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). These goods were at a high demand and otherwise illegal due to the Embargo Act of 1807. Details: $10; galvestonhistory.org. North of Tatum, in the middle of the woods, lies . . Tensions were high during this time between the United States and Great Britain, creating the War of 1812 and forcing the United States to be on edge about who they could and could not trust. Modern Day Depiction of the Baratarian Pirate and Brother of Jean Lafitte . 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 . . 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. Jean Lafitte's fabeled ship, The Pride, sunk well over a hundred years ago. 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. 70130, Download the official NPS app before your next visit. Having lived SS Jean Lafitte may refer to one of two Type C2-S-E1 ships built by Gulf Shipbuilding for the United States Maritime Commission: . During the battle Lafitte fought well. [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. Families with the surname Lafitte have been found in Louisiana documents from 1765. After Jean's reported death in the mid-1820s, the widowed Catiche took up with Feliciano Ramos. When he attacked some United States ships, the government sent in troops to capture him. [22] The Lafittes gained a reputation for treating captive crew members well and often returned captured ships to their original crew. [44], McWilliam brought two letters in his packet for Lafitte: one, under the seal of King George III, offered Lafitte and his forces British citizenship and land grants in the British colonies in the Americas (by then, these consisted of islands in the Caribbean and territory in Upper and Lower Canada). chagrin of the locals that helped drain the swamp, there was no trace of the He heads off to a plantation (as a legend says that . Jean Lafitte proves to be an aberration as he acted as patriot to the United States during the War of 1812. Laflin said he himself was a descendant of Jean Lafitte and had found the book in a trunk he had inherited. Located 25 minutes from downtown New Orleans, Jean Lafitte Swamp Tours has been operating daily bayou tours since the 1980s. William Bartlett explored a three-hundred-year-old shipwreck. Lafittes image changed from pirate to patriot during the War of 1812. [58] On December 19, the state legislature passed a resolution recommending a full pardon for all of the former residents at Barataria. [76] Lafitte forged letters of marque from an imaginary nation to fraudulently authorize all the ships sailing from Galveston as privateers. Lafitte's fate has remained a mystery for 183 years. He withdrew his battered troops and ended French involvement in North America, selling the US what became known as the Louisiana Purchase in 1803: French-claimed lands west of the Mississippi River. This area had been famous for smuggling even before privateers arrived in 1810 to use the deep water harbor of Barataria Bay. Within two days of Lafitte's notes, Pierre "escaped" from jail. Was it buried underground or lost under water? As part of Mexico, it was outside the authority of the United States, and was largely uninhabited, except by the Karankawa, a Native American people. Jean lists his age as 32 and his birthplace as . that is. It was cloudy with low visibility. Although not part of the original proposal from Percy, Lockyer added an extra $30,000 if Lafitte would not only assist in the battle against New Orleans but also against Mobile. The legend of Jean Lafitte survives in the history and mystery of south Louisiana, where Lafi ttes bayous and backwaters still meander toward the Gulf of Mexico. The benefits of Jean Lafitte agreement to the British were numerous and well calculated. Could it be that there were multiple burial locations Jean Lafitte : biography 1780 - 1826 Davis places Lafitte's brother Pierre in Saint-Domingue in the late 1790s and the early 19th century. times as a smuggler and privateer, he became very wealthy. 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. [97][Note 3] The Gaceta de Cartagena and the Gaceta de Colombia carried obituaries that noted, "the loss of this brave naval officer is moving. 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. An archivist for Bexar County, Texas, declared the papers to be authentic. [77], At its peak the colony had more than two thousand inhabitants and 120 separate structures.