In France in the year of 1780 a man named Jean (zwahn) Lafitte was born. He was born and raised in France then moved to New Orleans. In 1812 he fought in a war for the U.S. After the war he and his brother and only sibling ,Pierre, started a blacksmith shop were they also helped smuggle slaves. Jean Lafitte was both a privateer and a smuggler. In the years 1810, 1811, and the years 1813 through 1815 he was also in a group that was probably the nucleus for his colony on the islands Barataria Bay south of the city.During the war of 1812 France offered Jean Lafitte $30,000 and to be captain of their royal fleet for his allegiance.When he told the governor of New Orleans. He didn't believe Jean and summoned the U.S. navy and army to destroy his colony. Some of his ships were wiped out but his business was not destroyed. Even though that happened he still showed loyalty to the U.S. In one of his ships named "The Pride"he burned a town and sailed away. In 1825 He died (I'm not sure how he died).

 

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