meta_pixel
Tapesearch Logo
Log in
Astonishing Legends

Coronado's Children and the Pirate Laffite Part 2

Astonishing Legends

Scott Philbrook

History, Society & Culture

4.69.8K Ratings

🗓️ 26 April 2020

⏱️ 152 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

After a long and successful piratical career in the Gulf of Mexico, the United States government finally, and firmly, requested the Laffite brothers leave Galveston Island forever. On May 7, 1821, Jean Laffite left without protest, but not before he had his men torch his Maison Rouge headquarters and all buildings within the settlement of his Campeche compound. It’s also likely he took with him his massive hoard of ill-gotten booty, possibly loaded onto four ships, one of which was his vessel, the Pride. But the corsair life was in their blood, and Laffite could not leave it nor the Gulf. He and his men would continue to take prizes there and in the waters off Cuba and Central America until his debated end sometime between 1823 and 1826. The mysteries of his legend would continue to live on, as the search for his millions never ceased. Although no one has publicly claimed to find his treasure, our interview guest, Cody Hix, may have found tantalizing clues leading to Laffite’s lost ship. Cody, his brother Chuck, and their cousin Jay Hix-Jones appeared in an episode of Expedition Unknown with Josh Gates. During their segment, they not only outlined their theory on a family connection to Laffite’s lineage but also find evidence of a possible shipwreck in a promising location. Join us tonight as we dive deeper into the background of Cody’s family history and the details of their amazing find. We’ll also discuss the even more persistent and enduring tales than that of Laffite’s buried treasure, those of the ghost of his tormented soul. One legend has it that due to Laffite’s eternal guilt over his crimes, his spirit searches for an honorable and beneficent seeker to whom he will reveal his treasure. Perhaps he has finally found worthy heirs.

For more information on this episode visit our website!

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0

Come with us on an Odyssey through mountain forest and sand.

0:10.0

Wow, that is so refreshing!

0:13.0

Discovering untold stories from people connected with this land.

0:17.0

It's a place that's really special to me and it's changed my life.

0:21.0

Through place and time will transport you away.

0:24.0

Warriors fell on either side, young men lying.

0:29.0

No need to pack. Just hit play.

0:35.0

Come and explore with the National Trust podcast.

0:39.0

Cutch up with all our adventures and discover a new series in Spring 2023,

0:44.0

available on your favourite podcast app.

0:48.0

Astonishing Legends would like to thank ExpressVPN, the Great Courses Plus, Mint Mobile,

0:54.0

our contributors at patreon.com and you, our listeners, for making tonight's show possible.

0:59.0

Last week we introduced you to the Paratical Empire of Jean Lafitte,

1:04.0

a sophisticated operation that enjoyed prosperity for years in both New Orleans and New York.

1:11.0

Eventually, it ran its course.

1:15.0

But the question is, does the story end there?

1:19.0

At one point, Jean and his brother Pierre were taking in $41 million a year in income,

1:25.0

into day's dollars.

1:28.0

Their organization captured at least 100 ships in the Gulf of Mexico.

1:32.0

Many of them were in the same place.

1:37.0

Many of them, Spanish ships, laden with treasures stolen from Mexico.

1:44.0

There's no question he sold much of it, but it's hard to imagine he didn't keep a

...

Please login to see the full transcript.

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Scott Philbrook, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of Scott Philbrook and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.

Copyright © Tapesearch 2025.