Did they still have legal privateers in the late 1700’s?
Off topic - Captain Kidd was actually a privateer (not a pirate) back in the 1600’s and hired by NY businessmen and backing of the king to go after pirates. I read a great book on the “TRUE” story of Captain Kidd, and it was very well documented and he followed the rules of engagement of being a privateer, but took the fall when he was too agressive. One was taking a ship flying a French flag which was okay, but the ship was actually Dutch or something and carrying Indian textiles. He was legal in taking it, but pissed the Dutch and Indians off - who were friends with the British. There are actually the legal documents (shipping records, seals, etc.) still in London that prove his innocence but were not brought up in his kangaroo court trial.
A quick internet search found the followong on:
Privateers and Mariners in the Revolutionary War
The 13 Colonies, having declared their Independence, had only 31 ships comprising the Continental Navy. To add to this, they issued Letters of Marque to privately owned, armed merchant ships and Commissions for privateers, which were outfitted as warships to prey on enemy merchant ships. Merchant seamen who manned these ships contributed to the very birth and founding of our Republic.
Comparison of Navy vs. Privateers in Revolutionary War
........................Continental Navy.....Privateers
Total ships.................64.............1,697
Total guns on ships........1,242..........14,872
Enemy ships captured........196............2,283
Ships captured by enemy.......?............1,323