Jean Lafitte (1776-1823?) was the last of the great pirates of
the Gulf of Mexico ( He insisted throughout his life that he was a
privateer, and would have challenged you to a duel if you called
him a pirate to his face ) and was one of the leaders or bos of the
community of privateers on Grand Terre. Jean was a handsome man by
all accounts, of great personal charm and became a legend in his
own time, after his patriotic actions in the Battle of New
Orleans.
Jean Lafitte was both a pirate and privateer in the Gulf of
Mexico in the early 19th century. 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.
Lafitte is believed to have been born either in France or the
French colony of Saint-Domingue. By 1805, he operated a warehouse
in New Orleans to help disperse the goods smuggled by his brother
Pierre Lafitte. After the United States government passed the
Embargo Act of 1807, the Lafittes moved their operations to an
island in Barataria Bay. By 1810, their new port was very
successful; the Lafittes pursued a successful smuggling operation
and also started to engage in piracy.
Though Lafitte tried to warn Barataria of a British attack, the
American authorities successfully invaded in 1814 and captured most
of Lafitte's fleet. In return for a pardon, Lafitte helped General
Andrew Jackson defend New Orleans against the British in 1815. The
Lafittes then became spies for the Spanish and moved to Galveston
Island where they developed the colony there.
Lafitte continued pirating around Central American ports until
he died trying to capture Spanish vessels in 1823. Speculation
around his death and life continue amongst historians.
WHEN SEEKING THIS CACHE PLEASE DO NOT LEAVE THE BOARDWALK
EARLY, YOU WILL BE IN THE SWAMP, FOLLOW THE BOARDWALK AROUND THE
CORNER UNTILL YOU GET WITH IN 220 FEET, IT'S AN EASY BUSCHWACK FROM
THIS POINT.