2020-09 Putnal
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/26/2020
Confederate imprint, entitled "AN ACT To amend an act entitled 'An Act recognizing the existence of war between the United States and the Confederate States, and concerning the Letter of Marque, Prizes and Prize Goods, approved May 6th, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-one." With changes to the privateer bounty regulation and a request for inventors of new naval vessels to deposit their plans with the Southern Government. Issued May 21, 1861. Rebel Archives stamp on verso. Fine condition. The Confederate privateers were privately owned ships that were authorized by the government of the Confederate States of America to attack the shipping of the United States. Although the appeal was to profit by capturing merchant vessels and seizing their cargoes, the government was most interested in diverting the efforts of the Union Navy away from the blockade of Southern ports, and perhaps to encourage European intervention in the conflict. The captured vessels and cargo fell under customary prize rules at sea. Prizes would be taken to the jurisdiction of a competent court, which could be in the sponsoring country or theoretically in any neutral port. If the court found that the capture was legal, the ship and cargo would be forfeited and sold at a prize auction. The proceeds would be distributed among owners and crew according to a contractual arrangement. Privateers were also authorized to attack an enemy's navy warships and then apply to the sponsoring government for direct monetary reward, usually gold or gold specie (coins).
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