HISTORY

Not a Good Offer

The Baratarian Pirates were already outlawed by the United States . . . and with a detachment of the US Army sent to attack them . . . they seemed like the perfect ally for the British in 1814. And they should have been, except for the contents of one letter.

When the British approached John Lafitte to join their side the officer tasked to make the offer was given a letter with the offer and his instructions. In these instructions, the officer was told to demand the return, intact, of several British merchantmen that had been captured by the pirates. It then went on to say that if Lafitte refused to return the captured the ships the officer was instructed to immediately burn the pirate base to the ground.

This officer then gave the letter to Lafitte, allowing him to read the entire document! Lafitte did not have the merchantmen to return . . . they and their contents . . . had already been sold. So he calmly asked the officer for two weeks to discuss the offer with his men. During that time, he approached the Americans, mended his fences and changed to their side, helping to win the Battle of New Orleans.

Why did Jackson accept? Well, despite his dislike for the pirates, he had learned that the locals were hoping he would lose and the control of New Orleans would pass back to the Spanish. With this in mind New Orleans provided no assistance for Jackson and his men. That being the case, Jackson found the idea of pardoning the pirates and accepting their aid a delightful way to get back at the citizens of New Orleans.