Number 13: Note from Jean Lafitte
This document is a handwritten letter in French by Jean Lafitte from an 1820 case, United States v. The Pegasus, about the brothers Pierre and Jean Lafitte who were pirates and smugglers in the Gulf of Mexico in the early 19th century. Although they claimed they were privateers, during the War of 1812, they were charged with piracy in the New Orleans federal court. In 1814 Lafitte assisted General Andrew Jackson and the United States in defending New Orleans from the British. In return, Lafitte and his crew were granted pardons of their former crimes for their help. Two other cases associated with the Lafittes are: United States v. Jean Lafitte and United States v. Pierre Lafitte.
Handwritten letter by Pirate Jean Lafette, dated 1820. National Archives Identifier: 251486
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