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more than one privateer, which likely led to an acquaintance with the Lafittes...is regarded as one of the persons financially interested in the pirates of Barataria, which he openly protects....also recently been admitted to practice before the federal district court.”
“Blanque appeared at Claiborne’s quarters asking for an audience. When they met, Blanque handed the governor the packet of correspondence he had received from Lafitte, and immediately tried to disassociate himself from the Baratarians by protesting curiosity as to why Lafitte had sent it to him when he had ‘no acquaintance with Lafitte.’ ... likely thinking he might need it later to establish that he was only an intermediary.
[On balance, most important to contemplate that Claiborne and Jackson were not easily given to accept offer of LaFittes. (Jackson, I believe, once referred to them a “hellish banditti.”) Blanque must have had the confidence of LaFittes or else they would have chosen someone else; moreover, Blanque must have been held in some esteem by Claiborne and Jackson.]
Remini
Jackson bio: Blanque owned number of ships used by pirates Internet
Latour archives - Blanque was “senator from state of Louisiana”
Arthur - Old New Orleans
...merchant, lawyer, banker, legislator, and - “this was told in whispers” - the man “higher up” in certain transactions relative to the importation of “black ivory” and goods upon which custom duty was not collected. M. Blanque earned this distinction...before the battle of New Orleans.
He came to NO on the frigate Surveillant, March 26, 1803, with Pierre Clement de Laussat. He soon won a position of importance ...and married Delphine Macarty [Madame Lalaurie]
Laussat - Memoirs
Laussat describes a conflict with one Burthe who before moving away from Louisiana wrote a public document criticizing both Laussat and Blanque, the latter being called “commissioner of war” by Laussat. Blanque and Laussat had served in the same army in France.
Laussat does not record what criticism was made of Blanque, but Blanque did write a rejoinder, which I cannot find.