During the colonial period, privateering -- the authorized capture of foreign shipping for personal gain -- played an important role in the economy of many maritime cities in British North America and was an important method of waging economic, as well as military warfare. During times of war, ship owners were permitted to apply to the government for a license (letter or marque) to carry out activity that, without a license or at other times, would have been considered piracy.

The sloop Stephen & Elizabeth, owned by Richard Langdon, was among the Anglo-American ships receiving letters of marque during King George's War, and in June, 1740, was successful in the capture of a French ship off Hispaniola. Even more successful was the New York-based Oliver Cromwell, owned in part by Charles Nicoll, which received letters of marque during the French and Indian War.

Scope and contents:

The three volumes of manuscript records of colonial privateers that comprise this collection include two volumes relating to the sloop, Stephen & Elizabeth in June-September, 1740. These volumes include an itemization of provisions used on board ship during their cruise off Hispaniola, as well as an inventory and list of prices realized during sale at vendue in "Charlestown" (apparently Charleston, S.C., rather than Charlestown, Mass.). The third volume lists seizures by the New York-based Oliver Cromwell, during and immediately after the French and Indian War.

The value in these volumes lies more in the immaculate inventories of the prizes taken and prices realized, than in the rather slender documentation of privateering, per se.

Provenance:

Acquired, 1996.

M-3243
cat. 8/97 rsc

Subject index to the Privateers' Records

Back to brief guide

Return to:

Homepage	Manuscripts	Collections	Staff	Hours and policies