The Pirates Laffite: The Treacherous World of the Corsairs of the Gulf

At large during the most colorful period in New Orleans' history, from just after the Louisiana Purchase through the War of 1812, privateers Jean and Pierre Laffite made life hell for Spanish merchants on the Gulf. Pirates to the U.S. Navy officers who chased them, heroes to the private citizens who shopped for contraband at their well-publicized auctions, the brothers became important members of a filibustering syndicate that included lawyers, bankers, merchants, and corrupt U.S. officials. But this allegiance didn't stop the Laffites from becoming paid Spanish spies, disappearing into the fog of history after selling out their own associates.

William C. Davis uncovers the truth about two men who made their names synonymous with piracy and intrigue on the Gulf.

CONTENTS

PREFACE A Corsair's Name xi

Vintage Bordeaux 1770-1803 1

New Men in a New World 1803-1806 8

Brothers United 1806-1809 25

Brothers in Business 1809-1811 44

Dawn of the Corsairs 1810-1811 65

Origins of the Laffite Fleet 1811-1813 83

Lords of Barataria 1813-1814 107

The Rise of the Filibusters 1814 133

Patriots for a Price 1814 154

The End of Barataria 1814 181

The Fight for New Orleans 1814-1815 211

Spies for Spain 1815-1816 232

A Career of Betrayals 1815-1816 259

Distant Horizons 1816 281

The Birth of Galveston 1816-1817 307

A Season of Treachery 1817 326

Deadly Friends 1817-1818 349

Winds of Change 1818 367

The Dying Dream 1819 393

Farewell to Galveston 1820 419

The Last Voyage 1820-1823 445

The Legend of the Laffites 466

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 487

NOTES 491

BIBLIOGRAPHY 649

INDEX 679