Noun
a license to a private citizen to seize property of another nation
Source: WordNetAccording to Grotius, letters of marque and reprisal were akin to a "private war", a concept alien to modern sensibilities but related to an age when the ocean was lawless and all merchant vessels sailed armed for self-defense. Source: Internet
Furthermore, many privateers exceeded the bounds of their letters of marque by attacking nations with which their sovereign was at peace (Thomas Tew and William Kidd are notable alleged examples), and thus made themselves liable to conviction for piracy. Source: Internet
Benjamin Franklin had attempted to persuade the French to lead by example and stop issuing letters of marque to their corsairs, but the effort foundered when war loomed with Britain once again. Source: Internet
Davis responded with letters of marque to protect privateers from outlaw status. Source: Internet
Despite the attempt to end privateering around the world, nations continued issuing letters of marque. Source: Internet
For this reason, enterprising maritime raiders commonly took advantage of " flag of convenience " letters of marque, shopping for cooperative governments to license and legitimize their depredations. Source: Internet