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PAPERS OF MIRABEAU BUONAPARTE LAMAR
ment of the United States, had finally to interpose its power; and ac- cordingly an expedition, by land and by sea, was despatched against the Republic of Barrataria, composed of the combined forces of Col. Ross and Comodore Patterson. The Barratarians pretended to suc- cumb to the magesty of the law; and retired from their position with- out bloodshed. They however, reoccupied their old haunts and hiding places as soon as the government forces were withdrawn; and remained unmolested in their old vocation, until the arrival of the British at the mouth of the Mississippi in 1814, when their affairs took a new turn, and they were called to act a nobler part.- The British were now arranging for their attack upon New-Orleans; and it was supposed that they intended to bring their fleet up the river, to co-operate with their land forces. It was an important matter to secure the friendship and services of Lafitte; for his accurate knowl- edge of all the secret passages to the Mississippi, would enable him, were he so disposed, to conduct an enemy to the very entrance of the City undiscovered. An alliance with him, was accordingly proposed by the British officers, who offered him, gold, rank and promotion, if he would unite with them in their meditated attack upon New-Orleans. The Barratarian, however although an out-law at the time, was not seduced by these splendid allurements from his allegiance to his adopted country. The nefarious proposition was rejected: and the proscribed infractor of the revenue laws, instead of acting the part of a traitor and a hireling, was found in the day of danger, amongst the foremost in his country's defense. The instrument employed in this infamous overture, was Captain Lockrey, of the British navy. Having on the 2nd Septr 1814, anchored near the entrance of the main pass, within observation of the Privateers, a party of the latter set off in a small boat to reconnoiter the vessel.- They were met by Capt Lockrey and Capt 'IVilliams in a pinnace bearing the British colors and a flag of truce. After a few questions:, these officers remarked to one of the privateers that they had a packet for Mr Lafitte of Barrataria, and requested him to take charge of it and to deliver it into Lafitte's own hands. The Barratarian received the packet and promised to deliver it accordingly; but being a man of some address and talent, he suggested to Capt Lockrey, the propriety of his going on shore and communicating with l\Ir Lafitte in person. The Captain consented to do so; and the two parties made for the shore. When they were near the land, and the officers were fully in the power of the privateers, the individual who had received the packet, assumed his real character and said to captain Lockrey "I am the person whom you seek-:\Ir Lafitte of Barrataria."- The officers were doubtless a little surprised, and may have though't of the unexpected meeting of Fitz James and Rodrick Duh; but the Barratarian com- mander assured them that they had nothing to apprehend as long as they were under his protection-an assurance, however, which he was scarcely able to redeem, in consequence of the prevailing hostility of the Privateers to the British nation; for the British had attempted, only a year before at Cat Island, to despoil them of their prizes, and to seize upon some of their armed vessels. They were repulsed, how- ever· in the attempt, & sustained considerable loss. Besides this_, the sympathies of the Barratarians were generally on the side of the United
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