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If we can agree to the mere simple irrefutable fact, that in 1776 time period, the most powerful weapon (Hint the atom bomb of it's time) than known to man was "The Cannon."

With the Cannon ( I include Howitzer's with Cannon's, I admit my ignorance as to which weapon is truly superior, my money is on the Cannon's.)

Now, for those of you who have read this far, I invoke Article 1, Section 8, of the United States Constitution.

Ok, so now your saying this guy has been standing out in the Sun to long, without a hat on and has cooked his coconut, a.k.a. pea sized brain.

I give you a actual "American Letter of Marque, from 1812."

The Letter below is an example of an American letter of marque that was issued in the War of 1812 to Captain of the Prince of Neufchatel, comprising 18 guns and 129 men, by James Madison, President of the United States of America. This letter is archived in the Public Record Office in Richmond, Surrey in the UK (High Court of Admiralty HCA32/1342).

Letter of Marque carried by Captain Millin of the American privateer Prince of Neufchatel during the War of 1812.

James Madison, President of the United States of America,

To all who shall see these presents, Greeting:

BE IT KNOWN, That in pursuance of an act of congress, passed on the 26th day of June one thousand eight hundred and twelve, I have Commissioned, and by these presents do commission, the private armed Brig called the Prince Neufchatel of the burden of three hundred & Nineteen tons, or thereabouts, owned by John Ordronaux & Peter E. Trevall of the City & State of New York and Joseph Beylle of Philadelphia in the State of Pennsylvania Mounting eighteen carriage guns, and navigated by one hundred & twenty nine men, hereby authorizing Nicholas Millin captain, and William Stetson lieutenant of the said Brig and the other officers and crew thereof, to subdue, seize, and take any armed or unarmed British vessel, public or private, which shall be found within the jurisdictional limits of the United States, or elsewhere on the high seas, or within the waters of the British dominions, and such captured vessel, with her apparel, guns, and appertenances, and the goods or effects which shall be found on board the same, together with all the british persons and others who shall be found acting on board, to bring within some port of the United States; and also to retake any vessel, goods, and effects of the people of the United States, which may have been captured by any British armed vessel, in order that proceedings may be had concerning such capture or recapture in due form of law, and as to right and justice shall appertain.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naval_artillery_in_the_Age_of_Sail

One descriptive characteristic which was commonly used was to define guns by their pound rating — theoretically, the weight of a single solid iron shot fired by that bore of cannon. Common sizes were 42-pounders, 36-pounders, 32-pounders, 24-pounders, 18-pounders, 12-pounders, 9-pounders, 8-pounders, 6-pounders, and various smaller calibres. French ships used standardized guns of 36-pound, 24-pound, 18-pound, 12-pound, and 8-pound calibers, augmented by carronades and smaller pieces. In general, larger ships carrying more guns carried larger ones as well.