jean lafitte shipwreck found jean lafitte shipwreck found

[36] The proclamation was printed in the nationally read Niles' Weekly Register. This has become the common spelling in the United States, including places named after him.[1]. [38] Following the reward offer, Lafitte wrote Claiborne a note denying the charges of piracy. However, reports suggest that the anglers had been fishing for . There were no chests. And the ship berry bros found look for gold on land nearby. and an infant son[who?]. North of Tatum, in the middle of the woods, lies . . The Temple was located just North of what is today Little Lake, in Lafittes time it was Little Lake Barataria, where Bayou Perot and Bayou Rigolets meet. They had 3 children together: Jean Antoine Lafitte, Lucien Jean Lafitte, and Denise Jeanette Lafitte. Dissatisfied with their role as brokers, in October 1812 the Lafitte brothers purchased a schooner and hired Captain Trey Cook to sail it. Is his last name spelled Lafi tte or Laffi te? The Historic New Orleans Collection, 1983.123.8. There are many stories about what happened to Lafitte and where he died. Jean Lafitte was a French pirate and privateer who operated from New Orleans, Louisiana. Get monthly email updates and the chance to win a prize. Lafitte, a one-time resident of Louisiana and privateer, is believed by some to , The treasure already found was Spanish Silver, not Gold. Merchants and planters were eager to buy the goods and slaves Lafitte smuggled into south Louisiana. So next time you're walking past the . By 1810, their new port had become very successful; the Laffites had a profitable smuggling operation and also started to engage in piracy. [85] Almost half of the combined crew refused to sail as pirates; Lafitte allowed them to leave aboard his largest ship, the brig General Victoria. Pinkerton is a mysterious figure. he found that there had already been a small colony established, founded by Spaniard . An attorney representing Lafitte argued that the captured ships had flown the flag of Cartagena, an area at peace with the United States. For the town named after him, see. His treasure . Louisiana State University alumnus (Geaux Tigers), fanatic of all things sports, pugs, and Star Wars, and teller of the occasional dad joke. THE LEGACY OF JEAN LAFITTE IN SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA By W. T. Block Reprinted from TRUE WEST, Dec., 1979, p. 26ff; . [7] After his three children were grown, Lafitte fell sick in his 50s. The smugglers often held letters of marque from multiple countries, authorizing them to capture booty from differing nations. The American warship which captured him turned Lafitte over to the local authorities, who promptly released him. The Mystery of the Final Years of Jean Lafitte . [6] According to Ramsay, Lafitte's widowed mother migrated with her two sons, the elder Pierre and Jean, from Saint-Domingue to New Orleans in the 1780s. He is considered something of a historic anti-hero in Louisiana and around the Gulf of Mexico, having engaged in smuggling and piracy for a number of years yet - during the Battle of New Orleans in 1815 - helped defend the city from the . The smugglers wounded one of the officers and safely escaped with the contraband. States officials granted him legal authority to pirate and capture British [93], In June 1822, Lafitte approached the officials in the Great Colombia, whose government under General Simn Bolvar had begun commissioning former privateers as officers in its new navy. In a personal note, Lafitte reminded Blanque that his brother Pierre was still in jail and deserved an early release. Before we dive On this occasion Lafitte's ship had been in dire danger of attack as he prepared to enter the Calcasieu Pass, for he found that the New Orleans revenue cutter "Lynx" was engaged in antislaving patrols between him and the mouth of . Only six houses survived as habitable.[80]. The Laffites subsequently became spies for the Spanish during the Mexican War of Independence. [75] Lafitte interviewed all newcomers and required them to take an oath of loyalty to him. There were a number of gum trees growing in the shape of a ship and it was thought this could be the site of one of Lafitte's ships. [115] The paper and ink were analyzed and confirmed to be of mid-19th-century origin. unclear why Lafitte had to bury his treasure or even where he was last seen. 419 Decatur St So, where could It was specifically intended to prohibit trade with the United Kingdom, as tensions were increasing between the two countries. [77], At its peak the colony had more than two thousand inhabitants and 120 separate structures. The judge ruled that Patterson should get the customary share of profits from the goods that had already been sold, but he did not settle the ownership of the ships. A grand jury indicted Pierre Lafitte after hearing testimony against him by one of the city's leading merchants. In January 1808, the government began to enforce the Embargo Act of 1807, which barred American ships from docking at any foreign port and imposed an embargo on goods imported into the US. Britain and the United States declared war in June 1812, but until 1814, most of the fighting took place on the east coast or northern border of the United States. It reads that a cache of ancient gold coins was found near Jefferson island. In 1821, the schooner USS Enterprise was sent to Galveston to remove Lafitte from the Gulf. [114][115] When the historical society could not authenticate the claim, Laflin approached Louisiana author Stanley Arthur. His warnings were not believed at fi rst and the U.S. Army and Navy went ahead with a planned attack on Lafittes base at Grand Terre. (Davis (2005), p. 436). Many from the area have taken artifacts from there, including coin. The Mystery of the Final Years of Jean Lafitte . On January 21, Jackson issued a statement praising his troops, especially the cannoneers and "Captains Dominique and Beluche, lately commanding privateers of Barataria, with part of their former crews and many brave citizens of New Orleans, were stationed at Nos. [17], Based in New Orleans, Pierre Lafitte served as a silent partner, looking after their interests in the city. What: Lecture and book signing. These questions He was accompanied by six gunboats and a tender. His men burned the Maison Rouge, fortress, and settlement. Thousands of miles away, and two centuries later, from where Laffite made his name, in Lincolnton, North Carolina, people continue to visit . Another site near Niblett's Bluff, 40 Gums, had previously been searched. [88] In October or November 1821, Lafitte's ship was ambushed as he attempted to ransom a recent prize. ), privateer and smuggler who interrupted his illicit adventures to fight heroically for the United States in defense of New Orleans in the War of 1812. There are Sale of the slaves and additional cargo generated $18,000 in profits. The Indians in the Mandeville area helped him escape to the Pearl River. [102] Ramsay believes that over time, almost "every foot of Grande Isle has been spaded for pirate gold". Check out our jean lafitte selection for the very best in unique or custom, handmade pieces from our prints shops. Galveston after his adventures in Louisiana. This story was told to me several years ago by a man in his 80 s Back in 1940 or 41 two men hired to clean up around what is said to be Lafittes red house disapeared after a few days. On February 13, he escaped, likely with outside help. To this day, Lafittes final resting place is unknown. I always heard that an area Boat Company Owner started his business with a 5 gallon bucket of silver taken from that area. 1512. [34] Biographer Jack Ramsay speculates that the voyage was intended to "establish [Lafitte] as a privateering captain". Nice little interesting overview but the bit many accounts say lafitte settled in Galveston casts unnecessary doubt, The settlement in Galveston (Campeche) is firmly established in the history, theres even a museum there about it. this mystery still has historians, researchers, and treasure hunters alike Discover New Orleans' rich cultural mix. JEAN LAFITTE (1778 DEC 27 - 1823 . Jean Lafitte, a one-time resident of Louisiana and privateer, is believed by some to have buried a large cache of treasure somewhere in the bayous of Louisiana. (In English documents, his last name was often spelled Lafitte, but Laffite was the spelling used by Jean and his brother Pierre.) Look it up. The men working for Lafitte were called Baratarians because the waterways they used for smuggling were located in an area called Barataria (the Barataria Preserve of Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve is located in this area). What books would you recommend about this pirate? War & Affiliation War of 1812 / American. Forced to leave the city, Lafitte decided to set up shop on a small island in Barataria Bay, about 40 miles south of New Orleans, to continue his smuggling ways. On September 3, 1814, the British ship HMS Sophie fired on a pirate ship returning to Barataria. knowledge (or educated guess) of Lafitte being the best privateer around, United [89], Over the next few months, Lafitte established a base along the coast of Cuba, where he bribed local officials with a share of the profits. Jackson agreed to do so. What if these stories are factual? [58] On December 19, the state legislature passed a resolution recommending a full pardon for all of the former residents at Barataria. The name Jean Lafitte is almost legendary around the upper areas of the Texas coastline. Lafitte was granted a commission and given a new ship, a 43-ton schooner named General Santander in honor to Vice-President General Francisco de Paula Santander. . Josh Gates investigates the legends swirling around the storied life and death of French pirate Jean Lafitte who is reputed to have buried treasure at sites in coastal Louisiana. With the threat of imprisonment Actually, his men attacked several American ships but apparently did not kill any crewmen, possibly because they did not fight back. When he attacked some United States ships, the government sent in troops to capture him. A smuggler of epic proportions, Jean Lafitte had an army of privateers with as many as 1,000 men ultimately making him an invaluable asset for America in the War of 1812. You will see it gets its name from the treasure being buried there. He withdrew his battered troops and ended French involvement in North America, selling the US what became known as the Louisiana Purchase in 1803: French-claimed lands west of the Mississippi River. It's okay, because we're here to bust them! Collectively they were known as "Number thirteen". Though Lafitte's home is gone, this property across the street from the Port of Galveston contains the ruins of a later structure and a trove of ghost tales. "[55], When General Andrew Jackson arrived in New Orleans on December 1, 1814, he discovered the city had not created any defenses. But remember Lafittes black dogs are still around dont go a hunting unless you are prepared to suffer the consequences. [56] It had approximately 1,000 unseasoned troops and two ships for its use. He was given a burial at sea in the Gulf Of Honduras and speculation about the whereabouts of his treasure hoard has . into these uncharted waters, we need to know more about who Lafitte was. Robertson was incensed by Lafitte's operation, calling his men "brigands who infest our coast and overrun our country". Governor Claiborne of Louisiana once offered a $500 reward to anyone who captured Jean Laffite; Laffitte offered a counter reward of $5,000 to anyone who captured the governor. [61] The British began advancing upon the American lines on December 28, but were repulsed by an artillery crew manned by two of Lafitte's former lieutenants, Renato Beluche and Dominique Youx. The smuggler became the lawful owner of the slaves and could resell them in New Orleans, or transport them for sale in other parts of the Deep South, which was the major slave market of the time. They might have been businessmen in New Orleans or independent privateers before becoming associated with the smugglers of Barataria. Resentful of the raid on Barataria, Lafitte's men refused to serve on their former ships. That night his remaining men reboarded the General Victoria and destroyed its masts and spars, crippling the ship, but they left the crew unharmed. [5] No samples of his writing survive, except his signature; his surviving letters were always written by a secretary. In November 1822, he made news in the American press after escorting an American schooner through the pirate-infested area and providing them with extra cannon balls and food.[96]. ships as a last-ditch effort to gain an advantage in the pivotal Battle of New After Lafitte's men abducted a Karankawa woman, warriors of her tribe attacked and killed five men of the colony. Founded in 1805 by the infamous pirate Jean Lafitte, the legendary Lafitte Trading Company is dedicated to preserving New Orleans' rich pirate history, culture & traditions. Lafitte's fate has remained a mystery for 183 years. If you were thoroughly acquainted with the nature of my offenses, I should appear to you much less guilty, and still worthy to discharge the duties of a good citizen. Here, there would be lots of different activities for the kids. The Baratarians invited the British officers to row to their island. Constructed in the 1720s, the structure stands today as possibly the oldest building in the United States housing a bar (Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop Bar).[105][106]. [5], Lafitte's native language was clearly French, though the specific dialect is a matter of some debate. A representative of the smuggler would purchase the slaves at the ensuing auction, and the smuggler would be given half of the purchase price. 1776 - ca. Most of these battles took place at or near Chalmette Plantation, now Chalmette Battlefield and part of Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve. Families with the surname Lafitte have been found in Louisiana documents from 1765. He was born in Port-au-Prince on the Caribbean island now known as Haiti, where his father was a tanner who made a comfortable enough living to educate his sons well. below! In 1821, the schooner USSEnterprise was sent to Galveston to remove Lafitte from the Gulf. His game was spread far and wide and there were those who feared and hated him. At this time an English captain offered Lafitte $30,000 and a commission to help the British attack New Orleans. The business was so profitable because Lafitte was selling smuggled, foreign goods to the people of New Orleans. He seemed to think the whole world was against him, and he determined to be against the world. In 1948, John Andrechyne Laflin approached the Missouri Historical Society with a French-language manuscript he claimed was a journal Lafitte kept from 1845 until 1850. Due to escalating violence from the Haitian Revolution, in early 1803 Pierre boarded a refugee ship for New Orleans. Lafitte essentially developed Galveston Island as another smuggling base. Ramsay believes that Lafitte died of a fever in 1826 or 1827 on, Ramsay believes the documents were written by Laflin's ancestor, Matthew Laflin (18031854), who may have convinced his descendants that he was Jean Lafitte. Rumors abounded that he had changed his name after leaving Galveston and disappeared, that he was killed by his own men shortly after leaving Galveston, or that he had rescued Napoleon and that both had died in Louisiana. In her children's story, Victor and the Pirate: A Story of New Orleans During the War of 1812 (1947), Ruby Lorraine Radford features a fictional child who encourages Lafitte to defend New Orleans. In approximately 1784, his mother married Pedro Aubry, a New Orleans merchant, keeping Jean with her. Theres In 1812, several Baratarians including both Pierre and Jean Lafitte were captured but jumped bail. British forces sought access to the Mississippi River to gain control of the interior of the US. By 1805, Laffite was operating a warehouse in New Orleans to help distribute the goods smuggled by his brother Pierre Lafitte. When they had disembarked and were surrounded by his men, Lafitte identified himself to them. [82] Lafitte reportedly took immense amounts of treasure with him, and was accompanied by his mulatta mistress[who?] [117] Laflin had been previously accused of forging letters purportedly from Abraham Lincoln, Andrew Jackson, and Davy Crockett. He was said to use it as a base for arranging the transfer of smuggled goods. The captured schooner was not considered useful for piracy and so after they had unloaded its cargo, the Lafittes returned the ship to its former captain and crew. The Spanish ships were heavily armed privateers or warships and returned heavy fire. In later years, he was described as having "a more accurate knowledge of every inlet from the Gulf than any other man". Wheres your backyard? His reading and writing abilities, therefore, remain unclear. Pierre was to inform about the situation in New Orleans. Our exclusive brands & quality merchandise are created to inspire a unique & recognizable Joie de vivre~Pirate Lifestyle with worldwide appeal! They were tried for piracy, and found guilty. there were treasure legends, and the most common story is that Lafitte stranded a ship, a Spanish ship with gold, in Matagorda Bay in Corpus and was taking it to St. Louis on some wagon trains over roads that don . [44], Captain Nicholas Lockyer, the commander of the Sophie, had been ordered to contact the "Commandant at Barataria". The stairs run beside it. Jean Lafitte (c. 1780 - c. 1823) was a French pirate and privateer who operated in the Gulf of Mexico in the early 19th century. during the Battle of New Orleans. [2] Some sources say that his father was French and his mother's family had come from Spain. Many of the Baratarians settled in New Orleans or in the Barataria area and some of their descendants still live there today. Rogers started his own pirate fleet in 1818. . If you study your info you will be lost. Walk in the footsteps of the men who fought at 1815's Battle of New Orleans. Workers would reload goods into smaller batches onto pirogues or barges, for transport through the many bayous to New Orleans. [18] Seamen flocked to the island, working on the docks or at the warehouses until they were chosen as crew for one of the privateers.[19]. Another account says Lafitte married Christina Levine at the age of seventeen. Lafitte was associated with the three original sites of the park: he roamed the streets of New Orleans French Quarter, navigated the swamps of the Barataria Preserve, and helped the Americans win the Battle of New Orleans at Chalmette Battlefield. Those looking for Gold, Diamonds, Jewelry etc wont find it. Believing that the Americans would eventually prevail in the war against Britain, Lafitte thought he could more easily defeat the US revenue officers than he could the British Navy. He was evidently able to speak English reasonably well and most likely had a working knowledge of Spanish. Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop is named after him. This would later be used to his great advantage. Legend holds that the Pirate Jean LaFitte, or in some other versions Santa Anna, left treasure at Hendrick's Lake near Tatum. During this time in New Orleans, Lafitte became a very rich man, acquiring extraordinary amounts of money, ships, and weapons. Lafitte always insisted that if he committed any crime, it was smuggling, and he blamed American laws for forcing him into illegal activities. LINCOLNTON, N.C. (WBTV) - In the 1820s, pirate Jean Laffite, a smuggler from the Gulf Coast area in Louisiana, allegedly faked his death. Guests could've been able to enter Laffite's crypt near the Haunted Mansion. The city of Cartagena in present-day Colombia had rebelled against Spain and gave permission through letters of marque for privateers, including Lafittes men, to capture Spanish ships and the goods and slaves on board. One of the pirate's captains had attacked an American merchant ship. Jean had taken the helm of a band of pirates when the U.S. found itself at war with . Lafitte knew that his new business outfit was hidden well enough that U.S. officials wouldnt be able to find him. Lots of glass also. Though much of his life has been obscured by legend and time, the story of 19th-century French pirate Jean Lafitte is nonetheless one of intrigue, crime, and heroics. Enslaved Africans there gained their independence from France in 1804 and renamed this territory as Haiti. Following Lafitte's departure from the Texas coast in 1821, James and Mary Campbell remained in the region, ultimately settling on a plot of about 1500 acres at Campbell's Bayou (Articles, 1998). In 1978, Congress created Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve, combining Chalmette National Historical Park (established in 1938) with the Louisiana state park and authorizing a visitor center in the French Quarter. By 1812 Lafitte was the leader of the Baratarians with headquarters on Grand Terre, a barrier island in the Gulf of Mexico near Grand Isle. A privateer has permission from a government at war to capture any enemy ships. A hurricane in September resulted in flooding of most of the island, and several people died. He was chased all over the Gulf of Mexico by the U.S. Navy, all his ships burned except for his flagship, The Pride. Jean was sent to Galveston Island, a part of Spanish Texas that served as the home base of Louis-Michel Aury, a French privateer who claimed to be a Mexican revolutionary. Jean Pierre, her son with Jean Lafitte, died at 17 during a cholera epidemic in New Orleans in October 1832. . Most of the people were locals, from Lafourche Parish, the southern part, mainly Cut Off and Larose and the Gheens area, and also from the Des Allemands location. According to HendricksLake.com, created by author and independent researcher Gary L. Pinkerton, this is where six wagons of silver stolen by Jean Lafitte from a ship called the Santa Rosa were allegedly washed up. She placed Pierre to be raised by extended family elsewhere in Louisiana. Other documents of the period place his birthplace as St. Malo or Brest. [91] When Lafitte and other pirates operating in the area began attacking merchant ships carrying legal goods to Cuba, they angered Cuban officials. If they refused the offer, the letters informed Lafitte that the British had orders to capture Barataria to put an end to their smuggling. Even the date and place of his birth and death are unknown. Lafitte eventually returned to smuggling at Galveston Island in Spanish Texas until he was forced out by the U.S. Navy in 1820. He and his older brother Pierre spelled their last name Laffite, but English language documents of the time used "Lafitte". [60], On December 23, advance units of the British fleet reached the Mississippi River. I have a metal detector. 70130, Download the official NPS app before your next visit. 5 , Mexican outpost further south along the Gulf Coast, Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve, Sam Houston Regional Library and Research Center, List of people pardoned or granted clemency by the president of the United States, "FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS: GENERAL QUESTIONS", "Jean Laffite as a Father | Historia Obscura", "The Legend of Jean LaFoote Advertising Week 360 AW360", "Cinnamon Crunch (Cap'n Crunch) Cereal | MrBreakfast.com", "Then and Now: Lafitte's Anchor at Disneyland Park", "20 Things You May Not Know About Disneyland's Pirates of the Caribbean Ride", "History and a Behind the Scenes Look at the Pirates of the Caribbean Attraction in Disneyland", "Why is the Name Jean Lafitte Everywhere at Disneyland", History of the second war between the United States of America and Great Britain: declared by act of Congress, the 18th of June, 1812, and concluded by peace, the 15th of February, 1815, Jean Lafitte: Gentleman Pirate of New Orleans, "Jean LaFitte's piratical topsail schooner", History, photos and movies about Jean Lafitte, Paris Declaration Respecting Maritime Law, Jim Hawkins and the Curse of Treasure Island, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Jean_Lafitte&oldid=1142807831, Recipients of American presidential pardons, Pages using embedded infobox templates with the title parameter, All articles with specifically marked weasel-worded phrases, Articles with specifically marked weasel-worded phrases from July 2018, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, pirate, privateer, spy, naval artillery officer, slave trader. Other variations of the mystery say Lafitte buried the treasure in multiple Treasure hunter Christian Roper is searching for Jean Lafitte's buried treasure that could be worth over 50 million dollars today - he meets with Rick and Ma. . Other variations of the mystery say Lafitte buried the treasure in . [10], Sources indicate that Lafitte was sharp and resourceful, but also handsome and friendly, enjoying drinking, gambling, and women. . "Jean Laffite Revealed". The corsairs aimed the artillery at the Karankawa, killing most of the men in the tribe. (He was actually more of a land based businessman than a privateer or pirate at sea.) "I think he realized very quickly in Galveston that it was not going to work, as evidenced by how short lived that . [4], Some sources speculate that Lafitte was born in the French colony of Saint-Domingue (known as Haiti since it gained independence in 1804). the treasure be today? jean lafitte shipwreck found. He and his older brother Pierre spelled their last name Laffite, but English language documents of the time used "Lafitte".This has become the common spelling in the United States, including places named after him. Suzanne Johnson features a living Lafitte in her urban fantasy series, Jean Laffite is a character in the historical fiction novel Ashes & Ecstasy by Catherine Hart, Published March 1st 2000 by Leisure Books (first published November 1st 1985), In the 1960s and 70s a barefoot cartoon pirate named, Lafitte: the pirate of the Gulf a book from 1836, This page was last edited on 4 March 2023, at 13:45. This story first appeared in a local newspaper in the 1920s from an unnamed source and has no basis in fact. The boys were given a basic Catholic education. The Barataria chief then had 1100 men under his . Over the next few months, the British Navy increased patrols in the Gulf of Mexico, and by August they had established a base at Pensacola. but what is clear is that he settled in the New Orleans area with his mother That was problematic for New Orleans merchants, who had relied heavily on trade with Caribbean colonies of other nations. According to Ramsay, Lafitte, his elder brother Pierre, and his widowed mother migrated from Saint-Domingue to New Orleans in the 1780s. 1823) was a French pirate and privateer in the Gulf of Mexico in the early 19th century. [83] Two weeks after setting sail, they captured a Spanish ship, which they sent to Galveston, hoping the Longs would smuggle the goods to New Orleans. [23], The brothers soon acquired a third ship, La Diligente. well as the fortunes left on the merchant ships that he captured. "I'm proud of them. The United States government passed the Embargo Act of 1807 as tensions built with the United Kingdom by prohibiting trade. Having lived [59] With Lafitte's encouragement, many of his men joined the New Orleans militia or as sailors to man the ships. For the Hix boys, the legend of Jean Lafitte was always their family's little secret. in south Louisianas bayous for so long, Lafitte had also become an expert with The mysterious sunken pirate ship contained about $5 million in silver and gold coins. [50], Lafitte committed himself and his men for any defensive measures needed by New Orleans. [20] As the schooner did not have an official commission from a national government, its captain was considered a pirate operating illegally. Stories of the buried treasure of Jean Lafitte can be found all over the state of Louisiana. Jean Lafitte (also spelt Laffite, c. 1780 to c. 1820 CE) was a Franco-American leader of pirates and privateers who captured merchant vessels of various states in the Gulf of Mexico from 1810 to 1820. His knowledge of the swamps helped him to make quick getaways. [9], Acknowledging that details of Lafitte's first twenty years are sparse, Davis speculates that Lafitte spent much time at sea as a child, probably aboard ships owned by his father, a known trader. Luckily, there is more info from Sotto himself about this project that can be found here. on Grand Terre. Others formed three artillery companies. Jean Lafitte, a famous pirate, buried his treasures along the coasts of Florida. So, if you google Money Hill in Abita Springs ,La . There were also those who considered him a hero. [16] Barataria was far from the US naval base, and ships could easily smuggle in goods without being noticed by customs officials. 1417 Harborside Drive, Galveston, TX ( Directions) One of over 200 historical markers on the island, this marker is located at the former house Maison Rouge of notorious pirate Jean Lafitte. Catiche died July 2, 1858, around the age of 65. Who was Jean Laffite? The benefits of Jean Lafitte agreement to the British were numerous and well calculated. Details: $10; galvestonhistory.org. In the summer of 1814, Pierre was arrested and jailed in New Orleans, but he escaped from jail under mysterious circumstances in September. He found his first Spanish gold coin in the year 2017. even tales that the treasure was not intentionally buried. Lafitte named his colony Campeche, after a Mexican outpost further south along the Gulf Coast.