Letters of Marque

"*Letters of Marque. You will offer what amounts to a full pardon. Jack will be free, a privateer in the employ of England."
"Somehow I doubt Jack will consider employment the same as being free.*"
―Cutler Beckett and Will Turner[src]

**Letters of Marque** are official documents granting legitimacy and pardon to a pirate. Signed by the King of England, these powerful letters give pirates permission to become a privateer, and legally attack enemy vessels during wartime. The Letters of Marque are used by Lord Beckett to blackmail Will Turner into retrieving Jack Sparrow's compass in "Dead Man's Chest." With blank spaces waiting to be filled, the letters are returned to Beckett with the surprising name of James Norrington.

## Text

*George, By the Grace*

*of God of England, Scotland, France & Ireland*

*King Defender of the Faith, & Whereas we having taken into Our Consideration the Injuries, Spoils and Acts of Hostility committed by Pirates, Sea Rovers and divers others wicked and ill disposed persons who, against the Laws of Nations commit many and great Piracies Robberies and Depredations unto and upon the Ships, Goods and Persons of our Subjects to the great Hindrance and Discouragement of Trade and Navigation and the great Danger and Hurt of our loving Subjects, and all others navigating the seas upon their lawful Occupations. We did there fore order that General Reprisals be granted against the Ships and Goods Reprisals be granted against the Ships and Goods of said Pirates, Sea Rovers or Declared Enemies of the Crown of England. And Whereas he is thought fittly qualified and hath equipped and furnished a Ship where of he be Commander. Know Ye therefore that we do hereby grant commission to and authorize him to fight, take, suppress and destroy any Pirates, Sea Rovers or other Subjects and Vessels of the Declared Enemies of the Crown of England in what place soever they are met with the Ships, Vessels, and Goods to take and make prize of. And we do command the company of the Ship to obey him as their Captain, and in the execution of his commission, we command he observe and follow the Orders and Instructions herewith given. And we do hereby request all Governors and Commanders in Chief, of any of His Majesty's Territories, Islands, Provinces or Plantations where the said Commander shall arrive with his said Vessel and Men. And all Admirals, Vice Admirals, and Commanders of His Majesty’s Ships of War and others that may happen to meet her at Sea to permit the said Commander and said Vessel, Men, and the Prizes taken, freely and quietly to pass and repass, without giving or suffering, or the Authority thereby this Captain, and in the execution of his commission, we command he observe and follow the Orders and Instructions herewith given. And we do hereby request all Governors and Commanders in Chief, of any of His Majesty's Territories, Islands, Provinces or Plantations where the said Commander shall arrive with his said Vessel and Men. And all Admirals, Vice Admirals and the Reprisals be granted against the Ships and Goods of said Pirates, Sea Rovers or Declared Enemies of the Crown of England. And Whereas he is thought fittly qualified and hath equipped and furnished a Ship where of he be Commander. Know Ye therefore that we do hereby grant commission to and authorize him to fight, take, suppress and destroy any Pirates, Sea Rovers or other Subjects and Vessels of the Declared Enemies of the Crown of England in what place soever they are met with the Ships, Vessels, and Goods to take and make prize of. And Whereas he is thought fittly qualified and hath equipped and furnished a Ship where of he be any Pirates, Sea Rovers or other Subjects and Vessels of the Declared Enemies of the Crown of England in what place soever they are met with the Ships, Vessels, and Goods to take and make prize of. And we do command the company of the Ship to obey him as their Captain, and in the execution of his commission, we command he observe and follow the Orders and Instructions herewith given. And we do hereby request all Governors and Commanders in Chief, of any of His Majesty's Territories, Islands, Provinces or Plantations where the said Commander shall arrive with his said Vessel and Men. And all Admirals, Vice Admirals, and Commanders of His Majesty’s Ships of War and others that may happen to meet her at Sea to permit the said Commander and said Vessel, Men, and the Prizes taken, freely and quietly to pass and repass, without giving or suffering, or the Authority thereby granted in In Witness, we have caused our Great Seal of England to be affixed to these Presents. By the Grace of God, I hereby commission*

*\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_*

*as Privateer for His Majesty's Navy*

*George R*

*Lord Cutler Beckett*