Petition from United States v. Jean Lafitte
4/7/1813
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This petition was filed in the case of United States v. Jean Lafitte. Lafitte called himself a privateer, but others considered him a pirate. The District attorney wanted him arrested on charges regarding revenue and Lafitte was charged with piracy.
Transcript
Petition filed in case of United States v. Jean Lafitte513
United States Copy of
vs
Jean Lafite Petition
Files April 7th 1813
Columbus [Lauforof?]
States in such case made and provided the said Jean Lafite both forfeited and became liable to pay the said United States Tribe the value of the said good wares and merchandise amounting to the aforesaid sum of twelve thousand and fourteen dollars & fifty two Cents, Wherefore the said attorney prays the [Connseration? for Consideration] of the Court upon the [ ?], that the heir Jean Lafite maybe duly cited to appear and [uns?] the [plaint? for complaint] and whose Judgement may be [rendered] against him in favour of the said United States for the aforesaid sum of twelve Thousand and fourteen Dollars and fifty Two Cents with costs of suit
[Signee circled] [?] N. Grymes
[?]
To the honourable Judge of the United States District Court in and for the District Court of Louisiana the Petition of the United States of America by John R [Grymes?] their attorney in and for [their in superscript] the District most respectfully [herewith?] that Jean Lafite of the city of New Orleans in the District aforesaid is indebted to the said United States in the sum of Twelve thousand and fourteen Dollars and fifty two Cents, for this that all our singular the goods wares and merchandize following [?] Twenty six bales of Cinnamon fifty four linnear Shirts three pieces of [Russian?] Sheeting seven pieces of [C?] one bundle of twine and one piece of Handkerchiefs of the value of four thousand and four dollars and Eighty nine cents being goods wares and merchandize laden on board a ship or vessel arriving from a foreign port or place within four leagues of the Coast of the said United States and [unladen? for unloaded] from [aue? for aft] of the said ship or vessel before the said ship or vessel had arrived at the proper place for the Discharge of her Cargo or any part thereof and without the authorization of the authorization of the proper officer or officers of the Customs to [unlade? For unload] the same were afterwards [?] between the Tenth day of November 1812 and the Seventeenth day of the same month at Barataria in the District aforesaid [put?] and received into a certain Boat or Piroque of which the said Jean Lafite then and there had charge or command. with intent to violate the act of Congress in such case made and provided contrary to the form of the act of Congress in his behalf made. And also for this that all and singular the goods wares & merchandize aforesaid of the value of four thousand and four dollars and Eighty nine cents as aforesaid and being goods wares and merchandize laden onboard a ship or vessel arriving [Guam?] a foreign port or place within four leagues of the Coast of the said United States and [unladen? for unloaded] from [aue for aft?] of the said ship or vessel before the said ship or vessel had arrived at the proper place for the discharge of her cargo or any part thereof and without the authorization of the proper officer or officers of the customs to [unlade? For unload] the same were afterwards [told?] between the Tenth day of November year 1812 and the seventeenth day of the same month at Barataria in the District aforesaid put and relieved into a certain Boat or Piroque Contrary to the Act of Congress in this behalf made and with intent to violate the same in which [inputing?] and receiving onboard the said Piroque of the goods or wares and merchandize aforesaid to the intent aforesaid the said Jean Lafite was then and there aiding & assisting contrary to the Act of Congress of the United States in such case made and provided. By reason of all which [prenusses?] and by virtue of the Act of Congress of the United States
States in such case made and provided the said Jean Lafite both forfeited and became liable to pay the said United States Tribe the value of the said good wares and merchandise amounting to the aforesaid sum of twelve thousand and fourteen dollars & fifty two Cents, Wherefore the said attorney prays the [Connseration? Possibly Consideration] of the Court upon the [ ?], that the heir Jean Lafite maybe duly cited to appear and [uns?] the [plaint? for complaint] and whose Judgement may be [rendered] against him in favour of the said United States for the aforesaid sum of twelve Thousand and fourteen Dollars and fifty Two Cents with costs of suit
[Signee circled] [?] N. Grymes
[?]
This primary source comes from the Records of District Courts of the United States.
National Archives Identifier: 251587
Full Citation: Petition Filed in Case of United States v. Jean Lafitte; 4/7/1813; 573: United States v. Jean Lafitte; Case Files, 1806 - 1932; Records of District Courts of the United States, Record Group 21; National Archives at Fort Worth, Fort Worth, TX. [Online Version, https://www.docsteach.org/documents/document/petition-lafitte, April 25, 2024]Rights: Public Domain, Free of Known Copyright Restrictions. Learn more on our privacy and legal page.