In 1814, near the city of New Orleans, Louisiana, an American General faced an overwhelming attack from the British. Andrew Jackson, later President of the United States, faced the problem of defending the important city at the mouth of the Mississippi river with only his small force. A French Pirate stepped forward to make the city safe.
Jean Lafitte (an American spelling of his name) ran a colony of pirates near New Orleans. Through smuggling and piracy, Lafitte had become rich and powerful enough to have his own pirate army, which he brought to New Orleans to save the American cause. (Actually, the war had already ended, but the word hadn't arrived in New Orleans yet.)
Other than being a pirate, not much is known about Lafitte and even where he grew up. Lafitte was pardoned for his crimes of piracy and smuggling for his actions at New Orleans, but he couldn't go straight for long and soon turned back to piracy. He was killed by a Spanish ship near Galveston, Texas.
Other than being a pirate, not much is known about Lafitte and even where he grew up. Lafitte was pardoned for his crimes of piracy and smuggling for his actions at New Orleans, but he couldn't go straight for long and soon turned back to piracy. He was killed by a Spanish ship near Galveston, Texas.
No comments:
Post a Comment