Laffite, a pirate and smuggler, was appointed a deputy marshal by the sheriff of Ascension Parish, LA, so he could seize a number of illegally imported enslaved Africans.
Laffite would receive half the proceeds when the slaves were sold at auction.
File Unit: 574: United States v. Pierre Lafitte, 1813 - 1814
Series: Case Files, 1806 - 1932
Record Group 21: Records of District Courts of the United States, 1685 - 2009
Transcription:
[page 1]
Parish of ascension 23d Sept 1810
Mr Peter Lafite deputy marshal being duly Sworn deposes and Says that having been Summoned by the Sheriff of the 2d District to assist him in the [unclear, damaged: Re?sche] of A. Bayonne and L'Bourdier & four Slaves taken away with force from the Jail, that in the [unclear: Rechaerches?] made upon and about the plantation directed by the Said Lewis Bourdier he discovered a negro boy who was concealed in an out house ; this deponent verily believes the Said slave was purchased by the Said Lewis Bourdier, he Knowing him to be illegally imported, and the Said slave having been Known By M Peter N. Paillet Capt. of the spanish brig el Bolador to be a part of the Cargo of Said Brig I have Seized him according to my orders.
[at left] No 6
[red handwriting unclear: J H Hollund?]
Pierre Laffite - D M
Parish of Ascension. Territory of Orleans. Sept. 20. 1810
Personally came before me the above signed [unclear: Peeire] Laffite D. M. who upon the holy evangelist of Almighty God, made Oath that the facts set forth in the foregoing depositions are [unclear: substantially] true according to the best of his Knowledge & belief
[name unclear: Edwd. D. Turner]
Judge of P Ascension
[page 2]
Mr Peter Laffite being duly Sworn deposes and Says that Knowing Mr. Lewis Bourdier had in his possession certain Slaves which made a part of the cargo of el Bolador in which they were imported from africa by M Brouard, this deponent transported himself on the plantation of said Lewis Bourdier assisted by Mr. Peter N Paillet Capt of the said brig el Bolador and his [unclear, damaged: researches] on and about the Said plantation he discovered four negros who were concealed in a garret on the out house and this deponent verily believes the Said slaves were Concealed by the Said Lewis Bourdier he Knowing them to be illegally imported, and Mr Paillet having deposed before the Said deponent that he Knew the Said four Slaves to make apart of the Cargo of el Bolador [unclear: The] Said deponent Seized them according to his orders.
[at left] No 7.
[name in red unclear: J H Hollund]
[at right] Pierre Laffite - D M.
[check mark at far left] Parish of Ascension Territory of Orleans September 20 1810 Personally came before me the above signed Pierre Laffite D. M. who upon the Holy Evangelists of Almighty God made Oath that the facts set forth in the foregoing deposition are Substantially true according to the best of his Knowledge and belief.
