Jean Lafitte: the Social Network of a Pirate Lord
Jean Lafitte was a notorious French born pirate (1780- 1823) who crossed the Atlantic Ocean, where he established a successful pirate enterprise. Together with his older brother Pierre Lafitte, he initially started a smuggling business in New Orleans, but the relatively young United States passed the Embargo Act in 1807, which made it very difficult for the brothers to conduct their business. So they decided to move to a new location.
In 1810 the brothers moved their business to Barataria Bay in Louisiana (see map above), and would create a hugely successful smuggling and piracy business. Jean Lafitte, the leader of these so called Baratarians, quickly rose to fame and was to be reckoned with by the other major forces in the area. In particular, the United States had issues with Jean Lafitte because his pirate port was situated just far enough from American naval bases to make it difficult to cope with him. In 1814 the United States did manage to attack Lafitte's port and the Baratarians suffered great losses. However, later the tables were turned, and the United States resorted to the Baratarians to help them fight the British in the War of 1812. Jean Lafitte decides to help the Americans.
It is interesting to analyze Jean Lafitte's network with regard to this particular event, and it shows the reputation he had, and the relationships he maintained, the intentions he had, and what the limits were of his network. The following discussion is based on letters containing correspondence between Lafitte, the British and the United States, currently in the possession of the University of Texas at Austin.
The War of 1812 was a conflict between the relatively young United States of America and Great Britain, who were also supported by its allied/loyal North-American Colonies and “Indian” allies. It is sometimes considered to be the North-American theatre of the Napoleonic Wars, but to the Americans it was a war concerning their country. On the 3rd of September 1814, a British navy vessel, the HMS Sophie, arrived around 10 o’clock at the Laffite’s Island. Jean Lafitte was given a letter by Captain Captain Lockyer, on behalf of Lieutenant Colonel Edward Nicholls. The British deemed Barataria Bay an important strategic place and wanted to use it's location to mount an atttack on New Orleans. They offered the Baratarians pardons if they would join the British navy and help them in the attack on New Orleans. If Lafitte's men refused, the British Navy had permission to lay the entire port to waste. Jean Lafitte himself was offered the rank of captain in the British Navy. Jean Lafitte had a dilemma, or join the British and end his life as a pirate, or alert the Americans, and side with a country that wants him dead. Jean Lafitte decided to alert the United States as he saw that as the best option.
First, Lafitte sent a letter back to the British, who lay waiting in front of his port saying that he needed several days to arrange business and make a decision, but in fact Jean Lafitte already sent a letter to Jean Blanque from the U.S. Legislature in Louisiana (letter can be found below) warning them for the pending attack. In his letter to the Americans, Lafitte claims to be a patriot and that he always loved the concept of the United States. He also tells the Americans that he has received an offer from the British. By doing this, he tries to create sympathy from the Americans and shows them that he will not let them down. Considering Lafitte is a pirate, these patriotic sentiments seem to have a hidden agenda.
With this in mind, it is interesting to know that Jean Lafitte's brother, Pierre Lafitte, was that time in an American prison. In Jean's letter to the Americans he tells them that he desires his brother to be freed. Miraculously Pierre Lafitte "escaped" several days later and was on his way to Barataria bay. The Americans also told Lafitte to remain passive and not engage the British. The Lafitte's offered the Americans their support. The Americans realized their value, they offered the Baratarians pardons if they defended New Orleans. All the while, the British became tired of waiting on Lafitte's decision and raised anchor and left. In early July, reports arose that claimed that the British were preparing to land, even more enraged at the U.S. that they seemed to be “harboring pirates”. The Baratarians would eventually agree and deliver a vast amount of resources and up to 400 men. The Battle of New Orleans was eventually won by the United States.
Not only did Jean Lafitte have a widespread social network and was proficient in the exchange of communication leading to his successful enterprise, but also the fact that he was recognized as major player of the area he was in. Both the United States and the British seem to acknowledge Lafitte's power and are willing to cooperate. The fact that two huge players in the world take this into consideration and are even dependent of a group of pirates, makes it very interesting.
Another significant element is that Lafitte is in the position to make specific demands. It is not a simple stereotype “pirates versus government” relationship where there is no room for negotiation and compromises. In a very humble manner, he demands that his brother is to be released and eventually strikes a bargain that sees all involved Baratarians pardoned. On top of this is the way how he achieves this. He goes for the patriotic appeal. Whether or not the Americans perceived this as genuine is questionable, but it is obvious his political skills are not inferior to his pirating skills as he achieves what he wants. Interestingly, Lafitte would later become a spy for the Spanish, showing that his patriotic sentiments were not that genuine.
In this specific case, Lafitte functioned as a "broker" between the Baratarians and the other two parties. Also the fact that he used personally written letters indicate that he was at the top of the communications of his side. Mr Blanque then again functioned as broker between Lafitte and the United States. On a bigger scale, it is worth noting that Lafitte and his men were literally part of a worldwide network and were included in a worldwide conflict. Not only was he a part of the network, but by exerting his influence, Lafitte contributed to the outcome of the battle of New Orleans and managed to secure a safe position for him and his men. His networking skills are key to his success.
Links to the official correspondence on the website of the University of Texas at Austin:
All recorded correspondence: http://www.cah.utexas.edu/db/dmr/dmr_result.php?find=lafitte&submit.x=0&submit.y=0
http://www.cah.utexas.edu/db/dmr/image_lg.php?variable=e_eap_1623
Translation of letter from Jean Lafitte to Mr. Blanque (Warning the Americans of British attack)
In 1810 the brothers moved their business to Barataria Bay in Louisiana (see map above), and would create a hugely successful smuggling and piracy business. Jean Lafitte, the leader of these so called Baratarians, quickly rose to fame and was to be reckoned with by the other major forces in the area. In particular, the United States had issues with Jean Lafitte because his pirate port was situated just far enough from American naval bases to make it difficult to cope with him. In 1814 the United States did manage to attack Lafitte's port and the Baratarians suffered great losses. However, later the tables were turned, and the United States resorted to the Baratarians to help them fight the British in the War of 1812. Jean Lafitte decides to help the Americans.
It is interesting to analyze Jean Lafitte's network with regard to this particular event, and it shows the reputation he had, and the relationships he maintained, the intentions he had, and what the limits were of his network. The following discussion is based on letters containing correspondence between Lafitte, the British and the United States, currently in the possession of the University of Texas at Austin.
The War of 1812 was a conflict between the relatively young United States of America and Great Britain, who were also supported by its allied/loyal North-American Colonies and “Indian” allies. It is sometimes considered to be the North-American theatre of the Napoleonic Wars, but to the Americans it was a war concerning their country. On the 3rd of September 1814, a British navy vessel, the HMS Sophie, arrived around 10 o’clock at the Laffite’s Island. Jean Lafitte was given a letter by Captain Captain Lockyer, on behalf of Lieutenant Colonel Edward Nicholls. The British deemed Barataria Bay an important strategic place and wanted to use it's location to mount an atttack on New Orleans. They offered the Baratarians pardons if they would join the British navy and help them in the attack on New Orleans. If Lafitte's men refused, the British Navy had permission to lay the entire port to waste. Jean Lafitte himself was offered the rank of captain in the British Navy. Jean Lafitte had a dilemma, or join the British and end his life as a pirate, or alert the Americans, and side with a country that wants him dead. Jean Lafitte decided to alert the United States as he saw that as the best option.
First, Lafitte sent a letter back to the British, who lay waiting in front of his port saying that he needed several days to arrange business and make a decision, but in fact Jean Lafitte already sent a letter to Jean Blanque from the U.S. Legislature in Louisiana (letter can be found below) warning them for the pending attack. In his letter to the Americans, Lafitte claims to be a patriot and that he always loved the concept of the United States. He also tells the Americans that he has received an offer from the British. By doing this, he tries to create sympathy from the Americans and shows them that he will not let them down. Considering Lafitte is a pirate, these patriotic sentiments seem to have a hidden agenda.
With this in mind, it is interesting to know that Jean Lafitte's brother, Pierre Lafitte, was that time in an American prison. In Jean's letter to the Americans he tells them that he desires his brother to be freed. Miraculously Pierre Lafitte "escaped" several days later and was on his way to Barataria bay. The Americans also told Lafitte to remain passive and not engage the British. The Lafitte's offered the Americans their support. The Americans realized their value, they offered the Baratarians pardons if they defended New Orleans. All the while, the British became tired of waiting on Lafitte's decision and raised anchor and left. In early July, reports arose that claimed that the British were preparing to land, even more enraged at the U.S. that they seemed to be “harboring pirates”. The Baratarians would eventually agree and deliver a vast amount of resources and up to 400 men. The Battle of New Orleans was eventually won by the United States.
Not only did Jean Lafitte have a widespread social network and was proficient in the exchange of communication leading to his successful enterprise, but also the fact that he was recognized as major player of the area he was in. Both the United States and the British seem to acknowledge Lafitte's power and are willing to cooperate. The fact that two huge players in the world take this into consideration and are even dependent of a group of pirates, makes it very interesting.
Another significant element is that Lafitte is in the position to make specific demands. It is not a simple stereotype “pirates versus government” relationship where there is no room for negotiation and compromises. In a very humble manner, he demands that his brother is to be released and eventually strikes a bargain that sees all involved Baratarians pardoned. On top of this is the way how he achieves this. He goes for the patriotic appeal. Whether or not the Americans perceived this as genuine is questionable, but it is obvious his political skills are not inferior to his pirating skills as he achieves what he wants. Interestingly, Lafitte would later become a spy for the Spanish, showing that his patriotic sentiments were not that genuine.
In this specific case, Lafitte functioned as a "broker" between the Baratarians and the other two parties. Also the fact that he used personally written letters indicate that he was at the top of the communications of his side. Mr Blanque then again functioned as broker between Lafitte and the United States. On a bigger scale, it is worth noting that Lafitte and his men were literally part of a worldwide network and were included in a worldwide conflict. Not only was he a part of the network, but by exerting his influence, Lafitte contributed to the outcome of the battle of New Orleans and managed to secure a safe position for him and his men. His networking skills are key to his success.
Links to the official correspondence on the website of the University of Texas at Austin:
All recorded correspondence: http://www.cah.utexas.edu/db/dmr/dmr_result.php?find=lafitte&submit.x=0&submit.y=0
http://www.cah.utexas.edu/db/dmr/image_lg.php?variable=e_eap_1623
Translation of letter from Jean Lafitte to Mr. Blanque (Warning the Americans of British attack)
further reading:
Barbour, Violet. "Privateers and Pirates of the West Indies." The American Historical Review 16, no. 3 (1911): 529-66
Burney, James. History of the Buccaneers of America. London: George Allen & Company, 1912.
Cordingly, David. Under the Black Flag: The Romance and the Reality of Life Among the Pirates. New York: Random House, 1996
Davis, William C. The Pirates Laffite: The Treacherous World of the Corsairs of the Gulf. Orlando, FL: Harcourt, 2005. Www.hmhco.com. Web
Haring, C. H. The Buccaneers in the West Indies in the XVII Century. Hamden, Conn.: Archon Books, 1966
Latour, Arsène Lacarrière, and Gene A. Smith. Historical Memoir of the War in West Florida and Louisiana in 1814-15: With an Atlas. New Orleans, LA: Historic New Orleans Collection, 1999. Web.
Marley, David. Pirates of the Americas. Santa Barbara, Calif.: ABC-CLIO, 2010
www.jeanlaffite.net
www.cahut.utexas.edu
http://battleofneworleans.org/laffite.htm