letters of marque

• Commission officielle délivrée par un gouvernement autorisant un navire privé (corsaire) à attaquer et capturer des navires ennemis en temps de guerre, ce qui est désormais obsolète en droit international. Le terme désigne aussi parfois des lettres de représailles.

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.

   lettres de marque

   • 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.