~ Jean Lafitte ~
On This Seventh Day of May in the Year of 1821 ~
Position ~ 29016'N 94049'W ~ Campeche
I, Master and Commander of the Pride and Her Fleet
Ship's Business ~
I have retired to my cabin on the Pride as we set sail for a new home, a new colony and empire to build. At the request of USS Enterprise, I must leave Campeche. But I will not leave my coastal colony intact for the American Navy to use as their own fort. I set my colony ablaze before their very eyes, and before my eyes. Thence, I cannot bear to watch the flames engulf the empire I built.
Only a few years ago, I offered my assistance to the United States to hold the British from gaining control of New Orleans in the year of 1812, when, at their request, by Letter of Marque, I intercepted the enemy British vessels as they attempted entry into the port of New Orleans. I saved their country. And I saved my empire at Barataria, just south of their precious New Orleans. My Barataria, for it was my colony. My brother, Phillipe, and I built it as we intercepted merchant ships that came into our waters carrying treasures from Mexico to Spain.
And yet, the Americans ~ they pushed me away from my home at Barataria after the war. That is how they repaid their debt to me. Again, on this day, they push me out of a new colony I built, Campeche, and entreat me to search again for a new home. They accuse my men of attacking an American ship. They dare threaten to arrest me and take all that I gained if I do not take my men and leave these shores and their waters. Now, I must steal away, in the dark of the night, before they attempt to arrest me tomorrow.
For now, my family and my men are safe within the walls of my ships as we sail for the Islands to find a new home. We will find safety there on a new Island. And I will acquire new Letters of Marque from other heads of state. This will make their governments wealthy and provide wealth for me. The sea is my life and my life at sea is good.
~Jean Lafitte
On This the Fifteenth Day of June in the Year of 1821 ~
Position ~ 220N 800W
Ship's Business ~
There it sailed on the horizon at dawn this morning. I saw that ship carrying the Spanish flag and the wealth of the New World. My men overtook it tonight. They fought a good fight and I now own all that the Ship holds. I will take full account of its stores at first light tomorrow. Why do my men bother me with questions about Letters of Marque? The Spanish should not take all the wealth of the New World and any heads of state will declare this. I can acquire a Letter of Marque from any state of government whenever I so desire. We will take on any Spanish ship we encounter on our way to the Islands. It is necessary and right.
~Jean Lafitte
On This the first Day of June in the Year of 1821 ~
Ship's Business ~
We have landed ashore. My fleet has grown after leaving Campeche and my wealth has grown with it. My logs are incomplete for I know not what countries may intercept my personal writings to find the wealth ~ the wealth I must have to begin my third new colony at the Isla de Mujeres. I have kept my stores of wealth known only to my men for there is too much treasure for me alone. My men fight for me and they haul the treasures for me. My men know I will build them homes, feed them, give them wine, and spirits, and women. We are here now, and must build a new colony. It will be my new empire and no government can take it away from me.
~Jean Lafitte
~ ~ ~
Jean Lafitte's diary leads me to believe his treasure could be located at the Isla de Mujeres. Where is this island located? Hmm.... I have some maps right here in this file. Yes, here it is... 21020'N 86072'W, just 8 miles north of Cancun, Mexico. Why, we could finish our trip at Cancun!
Written by Marie Stone
Author's Note:
I have taken only a few facts of the original story of Jean Lafitte and brought this intriguing character into the storybook. He was forced by the United States to leave his colony near New Orleans,Louisiana and present-day Galveston,Texas in their effort to end piracy. It was believed he continued to intercept numerous ships for their bounty in the Gulf without Letters of Marque. It has been rumored that he established a new colony of outlaws at a Caribbean island. The original story of Jean Lafitte is still being discussed and debated. It is not known if he was born in France or Santo Domingo. Did he die in Galveston, Texas,or the Caribbean Isle de Mujeres; or in the upper Mississippi Valley of St. Louis, Missouri, or Alton, Illinois; or at sea in the Gulf of Mexico, or even in the Bermuda Triangle area? The factual story remains to be discovered, as does his remaining wealth and treasures. Hopefully, one day, more information will be unearthed and the true Jean Lafitte will be unveiled. Archeological expeditions, both on land and in the sea, will continue to provide clues to his life and those around him. Occasionally, discoveries are made quite unexpectedly, as noted below when Spanish silver coins from the 1800's were found near New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. Below, I have added maps and pictures of Galveston Island, TX and the Isla de Mujeres, some of the last known places where Jean Lafitte was reported to have lived. The mystery continues.
So, continues the mystery; the mystery of pirates, treasures, and of history. As we research and discover the treasures of yesterday, the gold and silver, rubies and diamonds, we will also discover an even greater treasure. We will unveil the intrinsic treasure of knowledge, the knowledge of our past, and the keys to our future. We can touch the treasures of the past, treasures that other hands have touched hundreds of years ago. Though the adventures of the Golden Holly are mythical, the search for treasure truly occurs all across the world. Therefore, let us embark on our own adventure to unveil the treasure!
Position ~ 220N 800W
Ship's Business ~
There it sailed on the horizon at dawn this morning. I saw that ship carrying the Spanish flag and the wealth of the New World. My men overtook it tonight. They fought a good fight and I now own all that the Ship holds. I will take full account of its stores at first light tomorrow. Why do my men bother me with questions about Letters of Marque? The Spanish should not take all the wealth of the New World and any heads of state will declare this. I can acquire a Letter of Marque from any state of government whenever I so desire. We will take on any Spanish ship we encounter on our way to the Islands. It is necessary and right.
On This the first Day of June in the Year of 1821 ~
Ship's Business ~
We have landed ashore. My fleet has grown after leaving Campeche and my wealth has grown with it. My logs are incomplete for I know not what countries may intercept my personal writings to find the wealth ~ the wealth I must have to begin my third new colony at the Isla de Mujeres. I have kept my stores of wealth known only to my men for there is too much treasure for me alone. My men fight for me and they haul the treasures for me. My men know I will build them homes, feed them, give them wine, and spirits, and women. We are here now, and must build a new colony. It will be my new empire and no government can take it away from me.
~Jean Lafitte
~ ~ ~
Jean Lafitte's diary leads me to believe his treasure could be located at the Isla de Mujeres. Where is this island located? Hmm.... I have some maps right here in this file. Yes, here it is... 21020'N 86072'W, just 8 miles north of Cancun, Mexico. Why, we could finish our trip at Cancun!
Written by Marie Stone
Author's Note:
I have taken only a few facts of the original story of Jean Lafitte and brought this intriguing character into the storybook. He was forced by the United States to leave his colony near New Orleans,Louisiana and present-day Galveston,Texas in their effort to end piracy. It was believed he continued to intercept numerous ships for their bounty in the Gulf without Letters of Marque. It has been rumored that he established a new colony of outlaws at a Caribbean island. The original story of Jean Lafitte is still being discussed and debated. It is not known if he was born in France or Santo Domingo. Did he die in Galveston, Texas,or the Caribbean Isle de Mujeres; or in the upper Mississippi Valley of St. Louis, Missouri, or Alton, Illinois; or at sea in the Gulf of Mexico, or even in the Bermuda Triangle area? The factual story remains to be discovered, as does his remaining wealth and treasures. Hopefully, one day, more information will be unearthed and the true Jean Lafitte will be unveiled. Archeological expeditions, both on land and in the sea, will continue to provide clues to his life and those around him. Occasionally, discoveries are made quite unexpectedly, as noted below when Spanish silver coins from the 1800's were found near New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. Below, I have added maps and pictures of Galveston Island, TX and the Isla de Mujeres, some of the last known places where Jean Lafitte was reported to have lived. The mystery continues.
So, continues the mystery; the mystery of pirates, treasures, and of history. As we research and discover the treasures of yesterday, the gold and silver, rubies and diamonds, we will also discover an even greater treasure. We will unveil the intrinsic treasure of knowledge, the knowledge of our past, and the keys to our future. We can touch the treasures of the past, treasures that other hands have touched hundreds of years ago. Though the adventures of the Golden Holly are mythical, the search for treasure truly occurs all across the world. Therefore, let us embark on our own adventure to unveil the treasure!
Silver coins from 19th century Spain were discovered in Louisiana near Lafitte's Barataria. They were found sometime after Hurricane Katrina. Some believe this is indeed part of Lafitte's treasure he intercepted from the Spanish Main. Everyone wants to know: is there more at this location? To this day, treasure hunters search far and wide at all of his haunts to discover Lafitte's treasure. |
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Jean Lafitte, Website: Wikipedia
Jean Lafitte: Gentleman Pirates of New Orleans by Joseph Geringer, Website Tru TV
Jean Lafitte: American Pirate by Rob Ossian, Website: The Pirate King
Galveston, Texas, Website: Wikipedia
Isle de Mujeres, Website: Wikipedia
Treasure Experience News Release, Website:Treasure Experience.com News
Image information:
Jean Lafitte Portrait, Websource: MSNBC
Ocean at night, Websource: LayoutSparks.com
Silver coins, Websource: Treasure Experience News Release
Isle Mujeres, Websource: Wikitravel
Isle Mujeres, Websource: Isla Mujer Travel Guide Photos
Galveston, TX, Websource: Galveston.com
Cancun and Isle de Mujeres Map, Websource: Worldatlas.com
Galveston, Texas Map,Websource: Wikipedia
Video Information:
The Bucanner Trailer, Websource: YouTube
Additional Note: The author of this storybook does not condone piracy.