Lafitte Of Louisiana

Lafitte of Louisiana MARY DEVEREUX - I902 - TO MY PUBLISHERS AS A TOKEN OF MY GRATITUDE FOR THEIR CONFIDENCE AND ENCOURAGEMENT - Preface I N that part of the United States where breezes from the Mexican gulf sway lazily the long pendants of Spanish moss festooning the gnarled limbs of ancient oaks, the name of Jean Lafitte lives to-day in an atmosphere of romance more virile and fascinating than that surrounding the exploits of Columbus, Cortez, or Ponce de Leon. History says that, in 1809, Jean and Pierre Lafitte came to New Orleans at a time when, owing to the disturbed conditions resulting from protracted warfare abroad, that city and the territory of Louisiana were receiving immigrants from almost every portion of the civilized world. The authentic story of Jean Lafitte ends six years later, shortly after the battle of New Orleans, a victory said to have been rendered possible only by his loyalty and intelligence, supplemented by the skill and bravery of the Baratarians whose leader he was. Many are the legends concerning the origin, achievements, and end of this remarkable man and these still find numberless believers in that section of Louisiana lying between the Calcasieu and Mermentan rivers. One of the most accepted relates to a strange tie between the so-called Pirate of the Gulf and Napoleon Bonaparte. This is embodied in a number of stories, one of them being to the effect that it was Lafitte who, after the battle . . . vlll Preface of New Orleans, -when he disappeared from Louisiana, - brought the emperor from Elba to France and that, after the Hundred Days, it was he who arranged to bring Napoleon to America. It is claimed that, when the latters flight was intercepted and heentered upon his compulsory voyage to St. Helena, Lafitte carried to this country a large amount of the emperors treasure, and buried it somewhere along the Calcasieu River, after which, hoping for a favorable opportunity to release Napoleon, he sailed to meet the fleet which bore the emperor to exile. Of Jean Lafittes career, it may be said, from what is known of it and by reason of the inferences to be drawn from established facts, that it was one of adventure and peril comparing well with those of the men who, in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, sought wealth and fame in the new world. As to the man himself, he was, by nature and education, infinitely superior to these others. True to his ancestry and to himself, he was actuated by high motives and loyal instincts, and rendered invaluable services to the country in which he passed a short period of his eventful life. c insect from the rock Asde5 the coior of its wing As the boulder from the shock Of the oceans rhythmic swing Makes itsey a perfect form Learns a calmer front to raise As the shell, enamelled, warm With the prisms mystic rays Praises wind and wave that make All its chambers fair and strong As the mighty poets take Grief and pain to build their song Even so for every soul, ZYhatsoeer its lot may be, Building, as the heavens roll, Something large and strong and free, - Things that hurt and things that mar Shape the man for perfect praise Shock and strain and ruin are Friendlier than the smiling days. CHADWICK.