What was the Letter of Marque? Privateering Commissions Explained

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You might've remembered this scene from the Second Pirates of the Caribbean movie, where Cutler Beckett offers a Letter of Marque to Jack Sparrow. This will function as a pardon for Jack's crimes as a pirate, and simutaneously turn him into a servant of the crown - a Privateer.
Could this have happened in history? In practice, yes, but the situation has been oversimplified, and the terminology fumbled around.
Secondary sources
Privateering and Piracy in the Colonial Period - John Franklin Jameson
Pirates of the Americas(Vol1&2) - David F. Marley
The Sea Rover's Practice - Benerson Little
The Buccaneer's Realm - Benerson Little
Primary sources
A Privateer's Voyage Round the World - George Shelvocke
A Cruising Voyage Round the World - Woodes Rogers
William Dick's South Sea Voyage - William Dick
A New Voyage Round the World - William Dampier
Buccaneers of America - Volume 2 - Basil Ringrose
#pirates #letterofmarque #history #privateers #goldandgunpowder

[@ravenb3048]

Being a pirvateer is like being a pirate, except people are less sure as to how legal your operation is.

[@GoldandGunpowder]

Post-script notes:

[@thecreweofthefancy]

A friend had a typo and called somebody a pirateer. We have started using it jokingly to describe folks with a commission who didn't quite follow it.

[@TheAnimalLoverYT]

Pirates are so cool in my opinion

[@roflchiefmcjoflchief1791]

"A letter of Marque came from the king, to the scummiest vessel I'd ever seen"

[@merafirewing6591]

Legalised to be pirates to hunt down specific nation's ships.

[@gordonsmith8870]

Just in time for lunch 👍

[@nikevisor54]

Love your stuff man! Appreciate the explainers like this

[@Thanos2015]

Excellent content and very informative. You do an amazing job dude!

[@jeffjefferson2676]

I find your channel the best source on pirates.

[@lukef5370]

Great video. Very informative as usual.

[@clevermcgenericname891]

Thanks for the great video!

[@skeeverskeeyo7331]

Awesome Video!! I'd love to learn more about the Corsairs.

[@bookofroger]

I learn something new with every video!

[@unknowntrooper_2791]

Great to have a clarification video like this! Some new info to me at least. Cheers!🏴‍☠️

[@fire_tower]

The US Congress to this day holds the power to issue letters of marque as it is explicitly enumerated as a power in the US Constitution.

[@ged1798]

Awesome video mate 🏴🏴🏴♥️♥️

[@Captain_Cinnamon]

Me: I WANT MORE G&G.

[@TheRiverPirate13]

Very interesting subject! The Pirate Krewe I belong to "Krewe of the 13" has a Letter of Marque issued by the Royal Family of St. Augustine of Florida. It is displayed on the website. Having a Letter of Marque was kind of like a "Get out of Jail" free card back then! Lol!

[@88amona]

Awesome bro 👏