letter of marque

American  

Also letters of marque

noun

1. license or commission granted by a state to a private citizen to capture and confiscate the merchant ships of another nation.

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letter of marque British  

noun

1. a licence granted by a state to a private citizen to arm a ship and seize merchant vessels of another nation

2. a similar licence issued by a nation allowing a private citizen to seize goods or citizens of another nation

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Etymology

Origin of letter of marque

late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50

Example Sentences

"You're talking about issuing letters of marque effectively to a private sector organization to go do some sort of activity on behalf of that executive office of the president," Krebs told the Times.

From Salon

“The Astrea mounts nineteen guns, Captain Prince. If any of your crew has ever shipped on a privateer or a letter of marque ship they—ah—might be useful.”

From Literature

The document explicitly gives the legislative branch the power “to declare war, grant letters of marque and reprisal, and make rules concerning captures on land and water.”

From MSNBC

Constitution specifically provides for letters of marque for authorized private entities to take such actions.

From US News

He was known to have letters of marque, which sanctioned him to rob enemy ships, but he did not have them at the time of his capture.

From Time