Letters of Marque and Reprisal

Letters of Marque and Reprisal

Article 1, Section 8 of the Constitution gives eighteen specific powers to the the United States Congress. Among the eighteen powers, clause 11 of section 8 gives Congress the power to declare war, grant Letters of  Marque and Reprisal, and make rules concerning captures on land and water.   A Letter of Marque and Reprisal authorizes a private group, not in the U.S. military, to conduct military like operations outside the borders of the United States.  A Letter of Marque basically authorizes a private enterprise to commit piracy. It is reported that the operators of the Goodyear blimp Resolute were the recipients of the last Letter of Marque issued by Congress since the War of 1812.

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