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TEXAS STATE LIBRARY
States in ~heir contest with that power; and it was this feeling mainly that occas10ned the excitement which arose among them on the land- ing of these two officers. Scarcely had they placed foot upon the soil when a clamor was raised by more than two hundred of the privateers had assembled on the beech, demanding that Lockrey and Williams should be sent to the Governor and be tried and punished as Spies. With much difficulty they were finally appeased; and Lafitte proceeded to his dwelling accompanied by his guests.- Here the packet which had been given to him was opened. It contained the clishonorable prop- osition which we have already mentioned; the merits of which were now ful]y discussed by Lockrey, who employed every art and argu- ment which he supposed might effect a man in Lafitte's situation, to lure him to his purposes and commit him to the British cause. He enlarged upon the multitude of advantages which the desired alliance ·would bring to Lafitte and his crew; and admonished him of the dan- gers of his present situation and of the final ruin that threatened him; to all of which the Barratarian Chief gave a deferential ear, and only asked that a few days might be allowed him for reflection. No re- flection is necessary in a case so plain, retorted the importunate Lock- rey. Are you not an outlaw, with a standing reward for your head, reviled, insulted and branded as infamous? And your brave asso- ciates-are they not persecuted by the American Government, de- nounced as pirates and hunted down as if they were the enemies of mankind? And is not your brother Paul at this yery moment loaded with irons in the N ew-Orlean's prison ? What claims then can a Gov- ernment have upon your fidelity and affection which pursues you with vengenance and gives no quarters to your kindred or companions? On the other hand, by uniting with us, you will be received in the British servise with an honorable rank; your character will be restored; your fortunes redeemed, and a wide field will be opened to you for the dis- play of your talents, and .the reaping of that vengeance which your wrongs demand.- Why then hesitate between prosperity and perse- cution-between glory and degradation-between the destiny of a hero and the fate of a felon?- Such was the spirit, of the Captains logic; in addition to which he spoke of the incongeniality that existed be- tween the Louisianians and the American people; and of the great advantages which the negro population would be to them, when armed and excited to insurrection. The argument was closed by an offer of 30 000$ as earnest money, to be paid at any time and place the recip- ient might designate. Lafitte pretended to be sensibly affected by the Captain's magnificent promises and inspiring picture of future glory and greatness; but still he replied as he had done before, that time for reflection was necessary; and that he woulrl give a decisive answer in a few clays. And here the parties separated for a while. Impor- tant business, demanding his personal attention called Lafit away. Taking leave of his guests, he promised to return in brief space.- Lafitte, however, had absented himself but a short time, when the British officers, together with their crew, were seized and confined by the disaffected Persons who hacl desired on their first landing to send them as prisoners to New-Orleans. They still believed these officers to be spies, and were anxious to ham them dealt with accordingly.- The excitement became so violent and general, that Lafitte, on his
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