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.
Line of succession to the French throne (Orléanist) Philippe de France, duc d'Anjou and his heirs male to inherit the French crown, on the one hand, and international recognition of Anjou's retention of the crown of Spain (as King Felipe V) on the other, were agreed to by negotiators for France, Spain and the other European powers who crafted and then obtained ratification of the treaty. Anjou officially signed the renunciation of any future claim for himself and his descendants to the crown of France, and the treaty incorporates the effects of his renunciation. That renunciation was formally ratified by King Louis XIV and registered, pursuant to French