Ridleman Letter, 1819 Dec. 12. 1 letter. Location: Misc.: R. A letter written by a Mr. Ridleman to "Ogden" describes the capture of eighteen of Jean Lafitte's pirates by two U.S. revenue cutters. Ridleman writes that guards patrolled New Orleans in order to prevent a rescue of the pirates. He reports that the Creole guards were unable to capture three other of Lafitte's men in the New Orleans neighborhood of Faubourg Marigny. He tells that he participated in the patrol of the city, and he describes the various crimes, which occurred. In other news, he writes that the good prospects of the newly formed firm of Ridleman and Burke ended when Mr. Burke succumbed to the "fatal climate." He also describes the newly opened Theatre d' Orleans, and its gambler owner, Mr. Davis. The Theatre d' Orleans was the most important opera house in New Orleans in the first half of the 19th century.