American Letter of Marque, 1812

The Letter below is an example of an American letter of marque of an actual 

privateering commission issued by the government of the United States to the 

schooner Patapsco during the War of 1812.

JAMES MADISON,

 President of the United States of America

 
TO ALL WHO SHALL THESE PRESENTS, GREETING:

BE IT KNOWN, That in pursuance of an Act of Congress passed on the 

eighteenth day of June one thousand eight hundred and twelve, I have 

commissioned, and by these presents do commission, the private armed 

Schooner called the Patapsco of the burthen of 159 tons, or thereabouts, owned 

by Andrew Clopper, Levi Hollingsworth, Amos A. Williams and Henry Fulford of 

the City of Baltimore  

mounting 6 carriage guns, and navigated by 40 men,

 hereby authorizing James M. Mortimer Captain, and William Ross Lieutenant of 

the said schooner Patapsco and the other officers

 and crew thereof to subdue, seize and take any armed or unarmed British 

vessel, public or private, which shall be found

 within the jurisdictional limits of the United States or elsewhere on the high 

seas, or within the waters of the British

 dominions, and such captured vessel, with her apparel, guns and 

appurtenances, and the goods and effects which shall be found on board the 

same, together with the British persons 

and others who shall be acting on board, to bring within some port of the 

United States; and also to retake any vessel, 

goods and effects of the people of the United States, which may have been 

captured by any British armed vessel

 in order that proceedings may be had concerning such capture or recapture in 

due form of law, and as to right and justice shall appertain.

 The said James M. Mortimer is further authorized to detain, seize and take all 

vessels and effects, to whomsoever belonging, 

which shall be liable thereto according to the Law of Nations and the rights of 

he United States as a power at war, and

 to bring the same within some port of the United States in order that due 

proceedings may be had thereon. 

This commission to continue in force during the pleasure of the President of the 

United States for the time being.

Given under my hand and seal of the

 United States of America, at the city of Washington, 

he 17 day of September in the year of our Lord,

 one thousand eight hundred and 12

                          

 and of the Independence of the

                                          

                                            said states the Thirty seven.

By the President James Madison

James Monroe Secretary of State