PRIVATEERS ACT (1777). An Act for enabling the Commissioners for executing the Office of Lord High Admiral of Great Britain, to grant Commissions to the Commanders of Private Ships and Vessels, employed in Trade, or retained in His Majesty's Service, to take and make Prize of all such Ships and Vessels, and their Cargoes, as are therein mentioned, for a limited Time.

AUTHORIZATION TO TAKE AND MAKE PRIZES OF REBEL SHIPS AND CARGOES. Folio (12.5 inches). 17 George III, Chapter 7. General title leaf + pages 283-298. Royal coat of arms, headpiece ornament, and factotum initial. Text in Black Letter. Neatly extracted from a bound volume. The Prohibitory Act, 1776 (16 George III, Chapter 5), which banned all trade between Great Britain and the American colonies, was followed up by the Privateers Act, 1777 which empowered the British Admiralty to authorize commanders of British vessels (including those privately owner, involved in trade, or operating in official military service) to seize enemy ships owned and operated by American colonists and confiscate their cargoes. The Privateers Act, 1777 empowered privateers to participate in naval warfare, seize and lay claim to the vessels and cargo they captured, and divide up the booty among the crew (as adjudged by the Admiralty Courts). The law played a significant role in helping to disrupt colonial trade and assist with the war effort. The role of privateers became even more important in 1778 when France joined the war effort and used its comparatively large naval forces to help the American colonies in their struggle with Britain. The involvement of large-scale French fleets caused Britain to seriously consider the possibility of invasion or loss of its West Indian and Asian colonial holdings which were far more profitable and valuable to Britain than the thirteen colonies. British fears increased in 1779 when Spain joined the war and the Royal Navy was further stressed to maintain its fighting forces, protect trade, defend the home islands, and protect its colonial possessions.…