Jean Lafitte: Pirate, Gentleman, or Privateer?

JEAN LAFITTE: PIRATE, GENTLEMAN, OR PRIVATEER?

The dictionary defines a gentleman as "a man who combines gentle birth or rank with chivalrous qualities (2): a man whose conduct conforms to a high standard of propriety or correct behavior d (1): a man of independent means who does not engage in any occupation or profession for gain."4 Nowhere in the historical references does it support a birth of nobility for the "gentleman". The Merriams-Webster dictionary defines a pirate as "an act of robbery on the high seas; also: an act resembling such robber; robbery on the high seas."4 The dictionary describes a privateer as "an armed private ship licensed to attack enemy shipping; also: a sailor on such a ship." The name Jean Lafitte carries mixed emotions and mixed reactions from people. Some people have gone as far to describe him as "The Terror of The Gulf", others now him as "The Hero of New Orleans". He was an entrepreneur and an astute diplomat, but also known as a pirate. On several occasions, U.S. presidents have condemned, exonerated, and again condemned his actions. He is known for his piracy in the Gulf of Mexico, and applauded for his heroism in the Battle of New Orleans. Lafitte reportedly did not like being called a pirate. He preferred to be called a privateer serving an economic purpose. Where and when Jean (and Pierre) Lafitte was born, as well as many other personal facts, continue to remain a mystery almost 200 years later. The Lafitte society claims he was born "Jean Lafitte of Bordeaux, France on August 15, 1782."3 Others say he was born in Boyonne, France, most likely around 1780 or in St. Maloes, France. Even that piece of information is debatable. He had one and maybe two brothers depending on which history book you choose to read. The one documented is Pierre Lafitte who was about four years older than Jean. Pierre and Jean had many similarities in lifestyle and taste as they both pursued rather piratical methods. They held shares in many privateers that sailed the Gulf and the Caribbean. As virtually the same breathe as pirate is spoken, Lafitte is described as the man who single handedly saved New Orleans. His morals, though vague, stood strong with him. He never attacked an American ship. Although he seemed a man without allegiance to one country, he respected the American constitution and hoped to model his own "kingdom by the sea" in the same light. These hardly seem like the ideas of a pirate. On the other hand, some of Lafitte's actions put him in a category with pirates. It seemed that every action pursued by this money hungry scourge benefited only himself, no matter who he helped in the process. Jean Lafitte is in most historians' minds more a pirate, rather than a privateer.

Jean Lafitte set out to sea at the early age of thirteen. He was first part of several voyages in European waters and off the coast of Africa. Soon after, he was appointed mate of a French East Indiaman bound for Madras. Not long after a close call off the Cape of Good Hope, Lafitte had a disagreement with the captain and refused to sail. He gained a spot on a fleet owned by privateers and soon became captain of one of the ships. Only after robbing an English ship, as well as a few ships of other nations, was he dubbed a pirate. He soon lived up to the name.

After taking command of a large English Schooner, he proceeded to cruise along the coast of Bengal where he found the Pagoda, a ship belonging to the English East India Company, armed with twenty six, twelve pound guns and manned with one hundred and fifty men. Expecting that the enemy would take him for a pilot of the Ganges, he maneuvered accordingly. The Pagoda manifested no suspicions, whereupon he suddenly darted with his brave followers upon her decks, overturning all who opposed them and speedily took the ship. 1

Before word of this scattered the globe, Lafitte would conjure another miraculous seizure. In this event, a small light of compassion shined. In October of 1807, he came upon the Queen East Indiaman, harboring a crew of nearly four hundred men and forty guns. After a somewhat ingenious boarding of the ship, Lafitte loaded a cannon with grapeshot and pointed it toward the crew, threatening to fire if they resisted. In doing this, he single handedly stopped a massacre. One would think that a pirate such as this would have no value for human life other than his own. After this feet, Lafitte decided to visit France, but did not stay long. He robbed several ships and was reported to have an immense fortune in booty.

Lafitte undeniably participated in things that had nothing to do with being a pirate. Lafitte was so revered, that almost single handedly established his own society. Barataira lies on the Gulf of Mexico about 100 miles south of New Orleans. Lafitte devised laws to protect the men and their women from lawless rampages and organized buccaneers and fishermen into a company of privateers and smugglers. He prized the American Constitution and hoped to model his society by it. As I stated before, he prohibited his men from attacking American ships, naming death the penalty for violation of this rule. His love for his land was proven in blood during his valiant defense of New Orleans on January 8, 1815. Two years after the war started, the British sought out Lafitte to help them infiltrate the bayous in order to capture New Orleans. They offered him land, gold, and a commission in the Royal Navy. He told them he would answer them in two weeks. Meanwhile, he sent the news to Governor Claiborne. They Governor voted to ignore Lafitte. Lafitte then sought out Andrew Jackson, who came to protect New Orleans. Despite not trusting Lafitte, Jackson needed two things that Lafitte possessed 7,500 flints with powder and 1,000 men. It is often stated that had Lafitte not aided Jackson in the defense of New Orleans, the British would have prevailed. Soon after, President Madison pardoned Lafitte and his men for their bravery

"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 defense 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