French corsairs now a small museum. French corsairs Corsairs () were privateers, authorized to conduct raids on shipping of a nation at war with France, on behalf of the French crown. Seized vessels and cargo were sold at auction, with the corsair captain entitled to a portion of the proceeds. Although not French Navy personnel, corsairs were considered legitimate combatants in France (and allied nations), provided the commanding officer of the vessel was in possession of a valid letter of marque ( or , the latter giving "corsairs" their name), and the officers and crew conducted themselves according to contemporary admiralty law.
Louisa (Quasi-War privateer) Louisa (Quasi-War privateer) The Louisa was an American merchant ship that gained fame in 1800 while sailing as a privateer out of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, during the Quasi-War with France. The owners of the Louisa obtained a letter of marque that authorized her captain to act against French merchant shipping during the war. She was armed with twelve 6-pounder guns and manned by a crew of thirty men (including officers). In August 1800 several French privateers that sailed out of Algeciras, in southern Spain, attacked her off Gibraltar. Her captain, Thomas Hoggard (or Thomas Haggard), was wounded and taken below to