April--Following a bank crisis in New Orleans caused by a lack of specie (due to the capture of Spanish ships by the Baratarians), The Baratarian Association became the New Orleans Association. A group of influential New Orleans merchants and leaders joined with the Baratarian privateers under the leadership of mastermind Edward Livingston to form the new association. This organization hatched many unsuccessful plots to take over the Floridas and to seize Texas from Spain.
July 8--A federal grand jury led by Paul Lanusse in New Orleans denounced the Baratarians for smuggling and piracy and indicted Pierre Laffite, who was arrested by Pierre Duplessis and jailed at the Cabildo.
September 2-4--The British ship, HMS Sophie, arrived at Grande Terre. Captain Lockyer and two officers disembarked to confer with Jean and try to convince him to help with their invasion of New Orleans. The Baratarians kept them overnight in a jail, releasing them in the morning. Jean sent the British letters to his friend, Jean Blanque, with a request that he show them to Gov. Claiborne.
September 6--Adventurer Juan Pablo Anaya, Col. Ellis Bean and Dominique You arrived at Barataria to set in place a plot to overthrow Tampico and Texas only to be thwarted by Patterson's attack on Barataria a few days later, after Anaya and Bean went to New Orleans.
September 7--A $1,000 reward was posted for the return of Pierre Laffite who broke out of jail along with some slaves.
September 10--Patterson met with Gov. Claiborne and other leaders to discuss the British letters. Patterson urged an attack on Grande Terre, which was approved.
September 14--Jean and Pierre Laffite learned of Patterson's plans and left for the German coast home of Alexandre Labranche. Dominique You remained in charge at Grande Terre.
September 16--Patterson and Ross attacked Barataria, seizing ships and goods and taking several prisoners, including Dominique You and Barthalemy Lafon.
September 21--General Andrew Jackson issued a proclamation denouncing the Baratarians as hellish banditti.
November 30--Gen. Jackson arrived at New Orleans to prepare a defense against the British threat.
December 17--Gov. Claiborne issued a general order of amnesty suspending proceedings against the Laffites and Baratarians, and invited them to join in the defense of the city. A few days later, Jean Laffite met with General Jackson to offer his service and that of his men. They met at 109 Royal Street, the General's headquarters.
December 22--Jean Laffite went to the Temple to assist Major Michael Reynolds with defense preparations. Jean also apparently went to Donaldsonville to arrange transfer of flints and powder from the warehouse there to Chalmette. Pierre Laffite remained near General Jackson.
December 23--In a night battle against the British, Pierre guided Gen. Coffee and his men to the rear of de la Ronde's plantation to turn the British flank. Later, Pierre is entrusted by Edward Livingston to get his wife and child to safety away from the city. Sometime after this battle, the Laffites delivered needed flints and powder to Jackson's forces from their storage place at Donaldsonville. General Jackson's ship, the Carolina, opened fire on a surprised British camp. This was the first engagement of fire power in the Battle of New Orleans.