letters of marque

letters of marque (mahrk). A license authorizing a private citizen to engage in reprisals against citizens or vessels of another nation. • Congress has the exclusive power to grant letters of marque (U.S. Const. art. I, § 8, cl. 11), but it has not done so since the 19th century.

— Also termed letters of marque and reprisal.

“[F]ormerly it was not uncommon for a state to issue ‘letters of marque’ to one of its own subjects, who had met with a denial of justice in another state, authorizing him to redress the wrong for himself by forcible action, such as the seizure of the property of subjects of the delinquent state.” J.L. Brierly, The Law of Nations 321 (5th ed. 1955).

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词条贡献者

法律翻译家欣，毕业于德国顶尖的高级翻译学院，专注翻译各类与体育诉讼有关的法律文件。