A new history of Texas for schools : also for general reading and for teachers preparing themselves for examination Page: 64 of 412

60

TEXAS EXCHANGED.

[1817.

ing town had sprung up. He claimed that the letters
of marque gave him full power to pursue his course as
a privateer, but in order to make himself doubly safe he
organized a Mexican Republic, appointed all necessary
officers and forced all new-comers to take the oath of al-
legiance to Mexico. In spite of all this he was looked
upon by the world at large as a pirate, and was known
far and near as the "Pirate of the Gulf." He lived in
grand style, entertained all visitors royally, and was so
successful in his efforts against Spain that Spanish com-
merce has never recovered from the injuries then re-
ceived. In personal appearance, Lafitte was tall, hand-
some, of dignified bearing and of courteous manners.
His men had strict orders not to interfere with Ameri-
can ships, Spain being the country against which, ac-
cording to their commission, they claimed right to wage
war. Some of the seamen, failing to obey his commands,
the American government compelled Lafitte and his
entire colony (1821) to leave Galveston forever.* Thus
ended the second settlement on Galveston Island.
Texas Exchanged.- In 1819, the United States agreed
to give up all claims to Texas, if Spain would sell to her
Florida. Spain complied, and Texas was abandoned by
*When Lieutenant Kearney, who had been sent out by the United States
gbvernment to destroy Lafitte's settlement, approached Galveston, Lafitte came
out to meet him, greeted him cordially, took him as a guest to the Red House (as
Lafitte's home was called), and entertained him in princely fashion. Seeing, how-
ever, that the officer was resolved to do his full duty Lafltte gracefully submit-
ted to the inevitable and quickly made his preparations to leave.
Lafitte died some years later in Yucatan. It is said that he buried immense
treasures on Galveston Island. Many have sought, but no one has found them.