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[1817.

ERA OF FILIBUSTERS.

49

sider their offer. His request was granted. He at once
sent the proposal of the English, together with a patriotic
letter from himself, to Mr. Blanque, a State officer of
Louisiana.*
Lafitte on Galveston Island.--In this letter he of-
fered his services to the United States. His offer was
accepted, and he was received once more into respectable
society. In the battle of New Orleans he fought so
bravely that the President of the United States granted
him a full pardon for his past offenses. At the close of
the war, however, the longing for the old life of daring
and adventure returned. He had from Venezuela let-
ters of marque (Qfficial papers granting him the right)
to prey upon the commerce of Spain. About this time
Mina, Aury, and Perry left Galveston Island, and Lafitte
selected (April, 1817) the island as his headquarters.
Soon a thousand men had rallied about him, and a thriv-
* LETTER FROM LANITTE TO MR. BLANKQUE.
BARATARIA, September 14, 1814.
SIR:-Though proscribed by my adopted country, I will never let slip any
opportunity of serving her, or of proving that she has never ceased to be dear to
me. Of this you will here see a convincing proof. Yesterday there appeared here
under a flag of truce, a boat coming from an English brig at anchor about two
leagues from the pass. A British officer of high rank delivered to me the follow-
ing papers: two directed to me, a proclamation, and the admiral's instruction to
that officer, all herewith inclosed. You will see from their contents the advantage
I might have derived from that kind of association. I may have evaded the pay-
ment of duties to the custom-house, but I have never ceased to be a good citizen;
and all the offenses I have committed, I was forced to by certain vices in our
laws. In short, Sir, I make you the depository of the secret on which perhaps
depends the tranquillity of our country. Please to make such use of it as your
judgment may direct. I might expatiate on this proof, but I let the fact speak
for itself. Be so kind as to assist me with your judicious counsel in so weighty
an affair. I have the honor to salute you,
J. LAFrrTTE.

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Pennybacker, Anna J. Hardwicke. A new history of Texas for schools : also for general reading and for teachers preparing themselves for examination, book, 1895; Palestine, Tex.. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth2388/m1/63/ocr/: accessed March 28, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; .

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