2007-09-27 12:13:23 · 4 answers · asked by Emily S 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
War powers act !
2007-09-27 12:51:05 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's a letter of marque and reprisal issued by the Congress under its enumerated powers listed in Article One, Section Eight of the Constitution. However, issuing such a letter to arm a "privateer" vessel is now prohibited by an international treaty which we ratified.
The last time such letters were used was in the Barbary Pirates' War under President Jefferson because we had completely disbanded our Navy after the American War for Independence, although the 3rd Congress did enact a law to provide a Naval Armament in March of 1794, those four ships were inadequate in number to fight the Barbary Pirates.
2007-09-27 22:51:48 · answer #2 · answered by desertviking_00 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not positive of the exact name of the letter but you can register your private vessel with the coast guard. people generally do it so you don't have to register it with the state and avoid the taxes. it stems from when the coast guard first started and had limited resources for vessels. it gave them the power in time of need to comondeer privately owned, registered vessels for emergencies.
2007-09-27 21:04:33 · answer #3 · answered by brian c 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
A Letter of Marque and Reprisal
2007-09-27 19:49:01 · answer #4 · answered by oldhippypaul 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋