Presumeably born in France, jean Laffite approached piracy from a business perspective more than a nautical one.
Working with his brother out of Barataria Bay near New Orleans, they engaged in both piracy and privateering. They would attack anyone, not caring to differentiate between Spanish, American or British shipping. Trading their spoils in a vast number of ports in the area ensured they became well known and so there were a great many merchants willing to trade with them.
Laffite often found ingenious ways of escaping travel. After being arrested one time he simply did not turn up for his trial. When the governot offered a bounty of $750 for his arrest, Laffite offered a payment of $1500 to anyone who could capture the governor!
Laffite then allied himself with the British, aiding an attack on New Orleans in 1814 in return for money. He attempted to acquire more money by passing the details onto officials in New Orleans but they dismissed both him and his stories. Laffite slipped away as the British attacked and was later pardoned for all crimes against Britain in return for his help.
Laffite and his crew, however, were denied pirating rights in Barataria Bay and so moved on to Galveston which they took control of. The Laffite’s continued as pirates, operating out of Galveston until they were run out. They continued their acts of piracy around Central America until Jean died in 1821.
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