Letter of marque: Difference between revisions
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A '''letter of marque''' is an authorization given to a private ship owner and/or ship's captain by a government. The authorization allows the ship to act as a ship of war in naval engagements with the ships of another nation. A letter of marque would allow, for example, a private ship to engage a cargo ship and sink it, seize its cargo, or take its crew prisoner (or any combination of these). | A '''letter of marque''' is an authorization given to a private ship owner and/or ship's captain by a government. The authorization allows the ship to act as a ship of war in naval engagements with the ships of another nation. A letter of marque would allow, for example, a private ship to engage a cargo ship and sink it, seize its cargo, or take its crew prisoner (or any combination of these). | ||
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Revision as of 06:55, 4 November 2007
A letter of marque is an authorization given to a private ship owner and/or ship's captain by a government. The authorization allows the ship to act as a ship of war in naval engagements with the ships of another nation. A letter of marque would allow, for example, a private ship to engage a cargo ship and sink it, seize its cargo, or take its crew prisoner (or any combination of these).
The ability to grant a letter of marque is granted specifically to the U.S. Congress in both the Articles of Confederation and the Constitution, and also specifically denied to the states in both documents. The ability to grant a letter of marque is noted as one of the War Powers.