letters of marque

• Documento legal histórico emitido por un gobierno que autorizaba a un barco privado (corsario) a atacar y capturar naves enemigas durante la guerra. Esta práctica está actualmente obsoleta según el derecho internacional.

A historical legal document issued by a government authorizing a private ship (a privateer) to attack and capture enemy vessels during wartime. The practice is now obsolete under international law.

1. Government authorization for privateeringC2formal

   A legal document issued by a government authorizing a private ship (a privateer) to attack and capture enemy vessels during wartime.

   patente de corso

   • The captain proudly displayed his letters of marque from the Crown.
   • Letters of marque were common during the age of sail.
   • Privateers operated under the authority of letters of marque.