Privateer

A vessel owned by one or more private individuals, armed and equipped at his or their expense, for the purpose of carrying on a maritime war, by the authority of one of the belligerent parties. The commissions issued to such vessels are generally called "letters of marque." The treaty of Paris (g. v.) provides for the discontinuance of the use of privateers except as against such powers (of which the United States is one) as did not accede to such treaty, and the general policy of the United States is against their use.

See 1 Kent, Comm. 97.