Letters of Marque

Letters of marque are official government licenses issued to private individuals or ships, authorizing them to attack enemy vessels during wartime. Essentially, they allow private parties to act as legal pirates against foes, capturing ships and cargo for profit. This practice was historically used by nations to augment their navies without directly increasing military forces. The letter specifies the scope and limits of such actions, providing legal protection and legitimacy. Today, letters of marque are largely obsolete, replaced by formal naval warfare, but they played a significant role in maritime history.