TEXAS STATE LIBRARY
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from the Governmt to Lafitt to evacuate Galveston. Lafitt had no al ternative; and prepared to leave. In a short time 84
Not long after the dismissal of Marott a Brig appeard off the Bar at Galveston for 4 days. Lafitt supposing that it might be a Spanish man of war, sent Campbell to reconnoitre it. Campbell hovered around it during the night, and discovering it to be an American vessel, went on board of it the next morning. It was the Enterprise, commanded by Captain, now Comodore Karney. After conversing awhile with the Commander, Campbell was about to leave, when Karney invited him to remain until after dinner when he would accompany him. Camp bell remained, and after dinner he and Karney went to the Island. Karney domiciled with Lafitte; and was extremely friendly and polite. He remained here two weeks, when one day he was invited by Lafitte to visit his vessel. Here they spent several hours; and before leaving the vessel, Karney signified, for the first time to Lafitt, that he· was bearer of despatches to him from the US Govt. Lafitt, manifested his readiness to receive them and to offer any explanation which might be desired of him. The Documnt was a lengthy one, and being read by one of the subordinates of Karney, it concluded with these words as nearly as now remembered - "and it is the desire of the American Government that you evacuate the Island at the expiration of three months." Lafitt, bowed politely and said that he would do it. It was done accordingly. In three months from that time, Lafitt with three vessels anchored over the bar was ready for his final departure having already laid in ashes the little village on the Island, which had grown up under his possession of it. The Houses were destroyed at the re quest of the US Govermnt. While Lafitte was thus anchored off the Bar, Campbell went on his la1?t cruize, leaving i.afitt behind, with the understanding that they were to meet at the Isle of Muger at a particular day. Lafitt sailed soon after Campbell left. His history after this, is known only through the information of his first Lieutenant, Wm Cochran, who gave the information to Campbell in 1836. - Lafitt sailed to the Southard and made the Cape Cartouch, dividing the Hondoras and Mexico, met a large ship and made up to her for action. She had 14 guns and made a sever fight; ,Lafitte was badly wounded in the action and lost several men. He captured her; .and after holding her 24 hours the supercargo ransomed her for One hundred thousand dollars, her cargo being estimated by the invoices at three times that sum. Cochran being 1st Lt., Lafitt put him in command of the captive vessel as prize-master. Lafitt & Cochran now ran to vera cruz [sic] and ran off an on waiting for the ransome, which was to be paid in 24 hours. At the expiration of the 24 hours, two men of war came out, not with the ransom, but to make fight; A long and blody engagemt followed resulting in the loss of the prize vessel the death of various of his men, and a sever wound inflicted on Lafitt himself. Lafitt, finally cut the grapples of Spanish vessel, and made her escape. The Span ish vessel was too crippled to pursue. - Lafitt beat up to Venezuila, where he died of his wounds. His Lieutenant Cochran was captured
"'Go back a little in the narrative-from page 13. [Note in document]
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