Letter of Marque
Versailles, 10 March 1693
Louis
(1. Admiral)
Alexandre de
Bourbon, comte de Toulouse,
Admiral of France, to all who shall see these present letters,
Greeting.
His Majesty having declared war on the Catholic King, on the supporters of
the usurper of the Crowns of England and Scotland, and on the Estates
General of the United Provinces, for the reasons set forth in the
declarations that His Majesty has caused to be published throughout his
kingdom and the lands and lordships owing him obedience; and His Majesty
having commanded us to enforce what is contained in these declarations, in
those matters which it has pleased His Majesty to commit to our charge; in
accordance with the particular orders given by His Majesty we have given
leave, power and permission to
(2.
Captain Name)
Matthieu de Wulf of
(3. Home
Port) Dunkirk to arm and equip the cutter
(4.
Ship Name) Revenge,
of twenty tons burthen or thereabouts, presently in the said port of Dunkirk,
with whatever men, cannon, ball, powder, and lead, and other provisions
and munitions as shall be necessary for him to put to sea and attack
pirates and corsairs, and other lawless men, and also the subjects of the
Catholic King, of the Estates General, of the supporters of the usurper of
the Crowns of England and Scotland, and other enemies of the state, in
whatever places he may encounter them, on the coasts of their own
countries, in their ports or on their rivers, and even on land in such
places as the said Captain
deWulf
shall deem fitting to make landings to assail the said enemies, utilizing
all the means and actions permitted by the laws of war; to make them
prisoner, with their ships, weapons, and other possessions.
The said deWulf
is hereby charged to observe, and to see that his crew
observe, the Maritime Ordinances;
to display during his voyage the flag and ensign of the King, and our own;
to register this present letter at the record office of the nearest
Admiralty; to draw up a roll signed and certified by himself, containing
the names and surnames, birthplace and dwelling of all the members of his
crew; to return to the same port, or to another port in France within our
jurisdiction, and there to make a report before the officers of the
Admiralty, and no others, of whatever has happened during his voyage; he
is to inform us and send to the Secretary General of the Navy his said
report and its attached documents that the whole may be ordered by the
Council as is fitting.
We request and require all kings, princes, potentates, lords,
estates, republics, friends, or allies of this crown, and all others whom
it may concern, to accord the said Matthieu deWulf every favor,
help, assistance and shelter in their ports, with his ship, crew, and
whatever he may have captured during his voyage, without offering or
allowing that he should suffer any let or hindrance; engaging to do the
same for them when they shall request it.
We order
and command all officers of the Navy and any others under our authority to
allow him to pass freely and surely with his said ship, arms, crew, and
any prizes he may have made, without offering or allowing that he should
suffer any let or hindrance, but affording him all the help and assistance
he may need.
This present letter is not valid after a year from its date of
issue. As proof of which we have signed, and had these letters
countersigned and sealed with the seal bearing our arms by the Secretary
General of the Navy.
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