NYGiant
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Congress authorizes privateers to attack British ships.
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Because it lacked sufficient funds to build a strong navy, the Continental Congress gives privateers permission to attack any and all British ships on April 3, 1776.
In a bill signed by John Hancock, its president, and dated April 3, 1776, the Continental Congress issued "INSTRUCTIONS to the COMMANDERS of Private Ships or vessels of War, which shall have Commissions of Letters of Marque and Reprisal, authorizing them to make Captures of British Vessels and Cargoes."
Letters of Marque and Reprisal were the official documents by which 18th-century governments commissioned private commercial ships, known as privateers, to act on their behalf, attacking ships carrying the flags of enemy nations. Any goods captured by the privateer were divided between the ship’s owner and the government that had issued the letter.
Congress informed American privateers on this day that "YOU may, by Force of Arms, attack, subdue, and take all Ships and other Vessels belonging to the Inhabitants of Great Britain, on the high seas, or between high-water and low-water Marks, except Ships and Vessels bringing Persons who intend to settle and reside in the United Colonies, or bringing Arms, Ammunition or Warlike Stores to the said Colonies, for the Use of such Inhabitants thereof as are Friends to the American Cause, which you shall suffer to pass unmolested, the Commanders thereof permitting a peaceable Search, and giving satisfactory Information of the Contents of the Ladings, and Destinations of the Voyages."
The distinction between pirates and privateers was non-existent to those who faced them on the high seas. They behaved in an identical manner, boarding and capturing ships using force if necessary. However, privateers holding Letters of Marque were not subject to prosecution by their home nation and, if captured, were treated as prisoners of war instead of criminals by foreign nations.
https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/congress-authorizes-privateers-to-attack-british-vessels?cmpid=email-hist-tdih-2023-0403-04032023&om_rid=21539c69abde70e4e3fda02b9d14d1819c3badeaf5a2bcab48a023eefe0cd3d2
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OpanaPointer
St. Louis
MO USA
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Posts: 1875
Joined: 2010
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Congress authorizes privateers to attack British ships.
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Letters of Delegates to Congress: Volume 4 May 16, 1776 - August 15, 1776
John Hancock to Thomas Cushing
Dear Sir, Philada. June 6th. 1776.
I have just Time to acquaint you of the Success of two Privateers fitted out from this Port a few Months ago. They have taken three West India Ships loaden as per inclosed Invoice. The Dollars are actually safe landed at Egg Harbour in the Colony of New Jersey, and are on their Way to this City. The Captains of the Privateers thought it best to take the Money into their own Care; and for Fear any Accident should happen to either and the whole be lost or retaken, they divided the Money between them, and are now both arrived.
The Prizes are sent to New England where it is hoped they will get in safe.
By the next Post, I will do myself the Pleasure of writing more fully. I am, Sir, Your's sincerely, John Hancock
[P.S.] The Capt has this Moment come in, & informs me that the Money is now in this City, & offers it to Congress.(1)
RC (MHi). In the hand of Jacob Rush and signed by Hancock.
1 See Hancock to Philip Moore and James Craig, June 13, 1776, note.
Page 154
JUNE 6, 1776
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