Jean Laffite was an elegant scoundrel who, with his band of pirates, plundered British, American and Spanish vessels in the early 1800s while operating out of his stronghold at Barataria Bay, south of New Orleans.
When Louisiana Gov. William C. C. Claiborne put a $500 reward on Laffite’s head, the flamboyant pirate responded by posting signed wanted posters offering $1,500 to anyone who delivered Claiborne to Baratria.