Letters Of Marque (Noun)
Meaning
A license to a private citizen to seize property of another nation.
Classification
Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents.
Examples
- During the American Revolution, Congress issued letters of marque to private ships, allowing them to prey on British merchant vessels.
- The concept of letters of marque has its roots in medieval Europe, where monarchs would grant licenses to private citizens to attack and plunder enemy ships.
- The privateer's captain held a letter of marque, authorizing him to seize the cargo of any Spanish galleon he encountered on the high seas.
- Despite being essentially a license to pillage, letters of marque were often decorated with elaborate calligraphy and official seals.
- In the 17th century, the French government issued letters of marque to encourage private citizens to attack Dutch merchant ships and disrupt trade.