The sun. (Wilmington, Del.) 1897-19??, 1898-05-01
OLD-TIME PRIVATEER
f;racy in Warfare Which Found in
Thomas Jefferson Il Defender---TWo
Captures Near Havana.

s. much speculation has recently been
INDUCED in regarding the possibilities Of
privateering il Spain shall be permitted
to engage therein during the war, tln.t
aglimpse OF what has been accomplished
by such tactics in other wars is apropcs.
AT the outset, however, it may be well
to clearly understand that privateefs are
vessels belonging to one or more private
individuals, licensed by the Government
in time of war, to seize, plumber and
destroy the ships and other property of
the enemy, wherever found.
Privateering, which has in the some
what remote past been a very popular
and profitable industry, and which has
betn advocated by even such diStin-
yuish men as Thomas Jefferson, was q
common pursuit Of the early American
colonisis, whenever Il war between Eng
land, the mother country, and some
foreign power furnished the occasion for
its employment.
70 those who have looked askance
through modern spec,acles at privateer-
ing as species of piracy too hideous to
be considered in connection with the
amenities of the nineteenth century war
fare, the following argument of Jeffer-
son, advanced in behalf of privateerlng
during the war of 1912, will be very,
interesting.
ut is just as honorable as any other
marine warfare. War is simply con-
test between nations that are trying to
see which can do the other the most
harm. Who carries ON war? Armies
are formed and navics manned by indi-
viduals. What difference to the sufferer
is it that his property is taken by nj
tional or private armed vessel"
The first American priv n OF whose
exploits an authentic record is preserved
was Captain Regnier Tongrelow, of the
New York Galley, who began operations
in 1904, during the war OF the Spanish
succession, in which England and France
had become involved on opposite sides.
Captain Regnier Tongrelow, OF New
York, who was little better than pirate
in that role, was in July, 1907, cruising
off Havana on one of his numerous ex-
petitions, when the Governor sent out
tHo privateer sloops to take him.
Instead of that, however, Tongrelow
took them. This performance so enraged
the Spaniards that they sent a ship a
brigantine and a sloop in pursuit OF the
daring New Yorker.
This squadron Captain Tongwlow
found it prudent to avoid and he re-
ceived an ovation on h $ return home.
1t was his last exploit, and shortly there
after nc retired with competency for
the rest of his days. The Peace of
Utrecht was signed in l7l3, and there
upon privateering ceased for time.
During the Revolutionary War the
weapon OF privateering was turned with
terrible effect against the country which
had first taught the colonies to employ
it in her own behalf.
Privateers were commissioned by the |
Continental Congress before the adop
ton of the Declaration OF independence,
and the colonies were recommended to
erect courts of justice to dispose of the
prizes to be captured, while a scheme Tor
distributing prize money to the crews OF
boil; regular cruisers and privateers was
approved.
The privatcers became very bold as
jhe war progressed, seeking prizes in all !
parts of the world, and on the coast and
II the harbors of Great Britain herself.
Among the most daring privatcprs of
his period was Captain Thomas lrlx.
on, ~h" took so many prizes in the
English Channel that England was led
% demonstrate with France for admitting
our armed vessels into her ports.
On one oCcasi II, with vessel of 20
guns; ne successfully beat off ship of 81
guns Which had. been sent out to capture
hin. During the fight ball passed
through the side OF his vessel and lodged
II her mainlnast.
Jack Sutton, forecastle man, seizing
he ball, and an opportunity to prepetrate