letter of marque

• Lettre patente délivrée par un gouvernement en temps de guerre, autorisant un navire privé (corsaire) à attaquer et capturer des navires ennemis. Ce terme est aujourd'hui largement obsolète en droit international.

A historical government-issued license authorizing a private ship (privateer) to attack and capture enemy vessels during wartime. The term is now largely obsolete in modern 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.

   lettre de marque

   • The captain proudly displayed his letter of marque as proof of his legal authority.
   • Letters of marque were commonly used during the 17th and 18th centuries.
   • The privateer's letter of marque allowed him to seize the enemy merchant ship.