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 Jean Laffite's Profile |
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| Age: | 99 years old |
| Sex: | Male |
| Location: | Nouvelle Orléans, Louisiana |
| Country: |  United States |
| Zodiac: |  Aquarius (Jan 20 - Feb 18) |
| Last Login: | May 11, 2008 (563 days back) |
About Me |
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He has been called "The Corsair," "The Buccaneer," "The King of Barataria," "The Terror of the Gulf," "The Hero of New Orleans". At three separate times, U.S. presidents have condemned, exonerated and again condemned his actions. He is known for his piracy in the Gulf of Mexico, and lauded for his heroism in the Battle of New Orleans. Each personae seems to balance the other. He hated being called "pirate," for, as he saw it, he was a "privateer" serving an economic purpose in an economically frugal time in a new country that needed to economize. When he at last sailed away from American shores, he felt betrayed by a country that didn’t understand the difference. He was Jean Laffite. From the Gulf of Mexico through a vast uncharted maze of waterways to New Orleans, his name was legend even in his day. Entrepreneur and astute diplomat, he took an island-full of bloodied seafarers, rovers and fishermen and turned them into an organization of buccaneers, smugglers and wholesalers. From the ships they plundered off the Caribbean Coast and in the Atlantic he and his "crew of a thousand men" kept a constant cargo of black-marketed and very necessary provisions (including Negro slaves, a very important "commodity" to the early South) moving through the Mississippi Delta to help feed and clothe a part of the nation that the government overlooked. As a result, he won the praise of the local rich and poor alike. He never attacked an American ship. A man without a country, he nevertheless respected the constitution of American ideals and hoped that what he called his "kingdom by the sea" might someday meld into like ideals. His self-made kingdom, from the Gulf of Mexico through the villages and plantations to and including New Orleans, was a part of an untamed wilderness that came as part of the package called the Louisiana Purchase of 1803. This delta was a new and lusty territory, overgrown with willows and wildlife. Within its miles and miles of marshlands a man could get lost and wander until he maddened and died of starvation. Unlike anything the government knew; the topography, coupled by its habitation of misunderstood Cajuns and Creoles, confused and perplexed Washington decision makers. Much more, overcome with other, deepening international problems, the nation more or less abandoned this wetland with its foreign cultures to fend for itself. Laffite’s commerce of merchandise -- of cloths and linens, spices and trinkets, furniture and utensils -- sold at discount prices, avoiding high tariffs, to the grateful citizens of New Orleans. In short, Laffite’s piratical methods, despite their negative connotation, proved to be a survival factor for what was to become a major American city. And then came a new territorial governor who decided that it was not conventional to let an outsider -- let alone a notorious pirate -- become a part of the blossoming American texture. When he offered a 750 dollar reward for Laffite's capture, Laffite turned around and offered a reward of $1500 for the capture of the governor. Harassment and imprisonment followed, even destruction of Laffite’s Valhalla. But, the governor and the rest of burgeoning America were to learn that Laffite’s importance to this new territory meant much more to him than his own personal prosperity. When men were needed to keep New Orleans and the entire Mississippi River from enemy hands, Laffite -- despite the chastisement and near ruination he faced from American mediators -- stepped forward to defend them. Many stories have been told of Laffite. To quote author Jack C. Ramsay, Jr. from his excellent and concise Jean Laffite, Prince of Pirates, "Some considered him a rapacious rogue, a man of unmitigated violence. Others, many of whom were young women, regarded him as a charming person. He was seductive, perhaps deceptive, but always elegantly gracious." He writes that contemporaries described "(Laffite) as ‘graceful and elegant in manners...accomplished in conversation.’ And yet this was the man who was often described in very different terms as the ‘Prince of Pirates’ or the ‘ferocious’ head of ‘desperadoes.’" Lord Byron sketched a poem about him even in his day. Countless books have been written about his adventures. He has inspired many moves, the finest being Cecil B. DeMille’s classic, The Buccaneer. There is a national park named after him, and along the Mississippi below New Orleans sits the City of Jean Laffite. To some, however, he is still a pirate. But -- pirate, thief, swordsman, businessman or savior, Laffite’s legend grows. Complex in nature, shrouded in mystery, and often painted in splashes of color, he lives on in the role of auspicious hero. Late 19th century artist's conception of Jean Laffite Anonymous portrait said to be of Jean Laffite in the early 19th century The authenticity of the Laffite Journal is hotly debated among Laffite scholars, with some accepting the manuscript and others denouncing it as a forgery. The problem of authenticating the diary is confounded by the scarcity of genuine documents in Laffite's handwriting for comparison. The most reliable genuine Laffite documents are two short manuscripts from the library collection of Republic of Texas president Mirabeau B. Lamar, which are currently held by the Texas State Archives. Paper tests confirm that the Journal is written on paper from the 19th century, though no consensus exists about authenticity among the small number of handwriting experts who have studied the document; The original manuscript was purchased by Texas Governor Price Daniel in the 1970s and is on display at the Sam Houston Regional Library and Research Center in Liberty, Texas. Translated versions of the journal have been in print since the 1950s. Herbert Asbury recounts the death of Laffite in his book "The French Quarter: An Informal History of the New Orleans Underworld." In 1826, Laffite entered the little Indian village of Teljas, on the mainland, and died of fever after a few days illness in a native hut. It is not known where he was buried but most likely he was given a typical pirate's burial at sea. Other accounts claim he died in 1821, murdered by his brother and a few of his own men. Yet his participation in documented historical events subsequent to this date would make this account highly unlikely. Jean's brother, Pierre lived out his life in New Orleans and still has descendants living in the area today. A REAL Jolly Roger Jean Laffite's homesite, Galveston The Napoleon Room - Laffite Guesthouse New Orleans Lafitte House, New Orleans |
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My Interests |
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| CURRENT MOON the moon
My name is Jean Baptiste Laffite. I was born January 29th, 1776 in St. Malo, France. I have traveled all of my life and I consider New Orleans and the surrounding area to be my home of choice. I am a blacksmith by trade, along with my brother, Pierre. I also enjoy trading goods and consider myself a very shrewd businessman or privateer. I enjoy relieving the wealthy of their excess property, as well as taking down all who oppose me or my business practices. I sell some of the finest merchandise at discount prices for the people who need them. I also enjoy a good fight and will volunteer to defend my homeland against any intruders. I have been a friend to both Napoleon and Andrew Jackson. I helped Napoleon escape into exile and buried his treasure in a place that no one will ever find. I helped Andrew Jackson fight the British in the Battle of New Orleans. Some people spell my name as Lafitte or even La Fite. Laffite's Blacksmith Shop Type: Pirate Place of birth: St. Malo, France Place of death: Teljas Rank: Captain Base of Operations: Barataria Bay Commands: The Republican Battles/wars: War of 1812 *Battle of New Orleans Pirate Ghost End of a treasure duel Walk the plank! At home Drinking! Relaxing Fighting Pirate's Alley - New Orleans |
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I'd like to meet:Fellow privateers!Of the many sports enjoyed by pirates, one of the most popular was monk Riding Pirates love to duel! Awaiting trial Lafitte Memorial, Texas |
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Music: |
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Heroes:Much of the art featured on this page courtesy of Howard Pyle. |
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My Background and Lifestyle |
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| MaritalStatus: | Single |
| Hometown: | St. Malo, France |
| Occupation: | Privateer & Blacksmith |
My Pictures |
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My Blog |
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The Shipwreck |
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| Pieter Christian Dommerson (1834-1908)The ShipwreckOil on canvas laid down on panel
... Posted by Jean Laffite on Sat, 10 May 2008 09:05:00 PST |
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Shipwreck of Don Juan |
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| Eugène Delacroix (1798-1863)Shipwreck of Don JuanOil on canvas, 1840... Posted by Jean Laffite on Wed, 07 May 2008 05:19:00 PST |
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The Rime of the Ancient Mariner |
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| The Rime of the Ancient Mariner Samuel Taylor Coleridge, 1798 ------------------------------------------------------------
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PART ONEIT IS an ancient Mariner,And he stoppeth one of three.'By th... Posted by Jean Laffite on Wed, 30 Apr 2008 09:54:00 PST |
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Ship At Sea |
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| Ivan Constantinovich Aivazovsky (1817-1900)Ship At SeaOil on canvas, 1895... Posted by Jean Laffite on Wed, 23 Apr 2008 08:53:00 PST |
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Moonlit Seascape With Shipwreck |
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| Ivan Constantinovich Aivazovsky (1817-1900)Moonlit Seascape With ShipwreckOil on canvas, 1863... Posted by Jean Laffite on Wed, 23 Apr 2008 08:44:00 PST |
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Puerto de Valencia [Port of Valencia] |
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| Joaquin Sorolla y Bastida (1863-1923)Puerto de Valencia [Port of Valencia]Oil on linen, 1882... Posted by Jean Laffite on Wed, 23 Apr 2008 08:03:00 PST |
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Part of Old Westminster Bridge |
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| Samuel Scott (1702-1772)Part of Old Westminster BridgeOil on canvas, 1750... Posted by Jean Laffite on Wed, 23 Apr 2008 07:05:00 PST |
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Porto Di Napoli |
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| Attilio Pratella (1856-1932)Porto Di Napoli (pic 1)Oil on panel, 1892
Attilio Pratella (1856-1932)Porto Di Napoli (pic 2)Oil on panel, 1892... Posted by Jean Laffite on Wed, 23 Apr 2008 06:59:00 PST |
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The History of Codadad and His Brothers |
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| Maxfield Parrish (1870-1966)The History of Codadad and His BrothersGlazed oil on paper, 1906... Posted by Jean Laffite on Wed, 23 Apr 2008 06:49:00 PST |
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Caucasus from the Sea |
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| Ivan Constantinovich Aivazovsky (1817-1900)Caucasus from the SeaOil on canvas, 1899... Posted by Jean Laffite on Wed, 23 Apr 2008 08:41:00 PST |
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My Friends |
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Opeth, Schneeeulchen, N., +TORN IN TWO+contests, RIVER FRESHNEY, Kid Twist aka Rusty Lazer, Klaus Doldinger’s Passport, sweetsilence, Shane Elks as Mr. RED, Queen Marguerite de Valois, Alexander Hamilton, H.I & R.H The Crown Prince Rudolf of Austria, hooker Bentley, The Real Pennywise, RETRO-G COUTURE, SCROUNGER, Queen Victoria, Madame De Stael, KARL BARTOS, ANCIENT, Yajaira, Rasputin, Jewel Shepard, Lady Tabitha, 33rd Virginia, Stonewall brigade, Beth, MANTRA (EASY FEST MAY 24TH!!), Deviant Moon Tarot, Captain Blackbeard, Olga Romanov, South Jersey Ghost Trackers, Duchess Anne de Bourbon, THE APOSTLES, Pirate Bart, Pirate Davey Seraph Jones, The Ghoulish Gallery, The Duke of Wellington, ghost seeker, Tho Mac Daddy (Dawn), Flying Spaghetti Monster, Kristin, ...! Lady silence, Dragan, Antoine, Long Ben Avery, Hellraiser, mona nemo, Morgan Le Fay, Captain Black, Sandra, Sara, Le Président Emile Loubet, X-in, Johnny O. Brady, Clara Bow, cha, zoe, Crucifox, Wanda, Rossella, 2nd Sight 6th Sense, Colonel Snackycheeks, Insomniavisions, ANAIS ★ STRANGE, piratas de dios, doctor butters, ISLAND GIRL, Damon Zex, Annie - Disjecta Membra, elenaditroia, Paloma Hurricane, cendryn, H2O, ★Forever Haunted★, Captain, Cap'n Puck Bonny, The Amazing Kreskin Fan Page, Vic Donovan’s Bigdogband, Federaz, clarisa, DaRkMoOd, Scarlett O Hara, BrainCode, EurÃdice, najma
Jean Laffite has 1,253 friends (85 shown). Click here to add Jean Laffite as a friend. |
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Tags |
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Jean Laffite's profile has been tagged with the following keywords. Click a tag to search for profiles with the same tags. jean laffite, louisiana purchase of 1803, st malo france, frugal time, negro slaves, u s presidents, untamed wilderness, mississippi delta, necessary provisions, battle of new orleans, caribbean coast, economic purpose, kingdom by the sea, man without a country, american ship, american ideals, barataria, gulf of mexico, seafarers, personae |
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