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| Field name | Value |
|---|---|
| Collection Reference Number | GLC00038.02 |
| From Archive Folder | Documents signed by Presidents of the Continental Congress authorizing privateers' capture of British vessels |
| Title | Instructions to the commanders of private ships or vessels of war, which shall have commissions or letters of marque and reprisal, authorizing them to make captures of British vessels and cargoes |
| Date | ca. 1 November 1777- 9 December 1778 |
| Author | Laurens, Henry (1724-1792) |
| Document Type | Government document |
| Content Description | Broadside with printed date of 3 April 1776. Signed by Laurens as President of Congress (indicating that signature and printed date do not coincide). Contains eleven articles created by Congress authorizing private American ships to capture British vessels. Instructs American captains to bring captured goods, ships, and persons to court in the colonies following capture. Forbids torture of captured persons, demanding civilized conduct. Requires captains to transmit a written account of capture to Congress. Demands that one third, "at the least, of your whole Company shall be Land-Men." Forbids the ransom of prisoners. |
| Subjects | Privateering Global History and Civics Continental Congress Prisoner of War |
| People | Laurens, Henry (1724-1792) |
| Place written | Pennsylvania |
| Theme | Naval & Maritime; The American Revolution; Government & Politics |
| Sub-collection | The Gilder Lehrman Collection, 1493-1859 |
| Additional Information | Laurens served as President of Congress 1 November 1777- 9 December 1778. |
| Copyright | The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History |
| Module | Settlement, Commerce, Revolution and Reform: 1493-1859 |