Andrew Holmes Captures the Notorious Lafitte Brothers-- Part 2: Privateers, Not Pirates

Jean and Pierre Lafitte commanded about 1,000 loyal buccaneers who controlled an area called Barataria, south of New Orleans on the Mississippi River.  No vessel passing upriver or down could do so without passing them.  And, they benefited greatly from this.  They charges passing fees and sometimes just took the ships.

It is said they didn't attack American ships as Jean Lafitte liked the young country's constitutional values.  They considered themselves privateers instead of pirates as most did.

Anyway, Gov. Claiborne had to deal with them.

--Brock-Perry