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

双语律师Akira，国际知名法学院法律专业，擅长翻译各类与地产开发相关的法律文件。