Privateer 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 (fr. "Lettre de Marque" or "Lettre de Course"), and the officers and crew conducted themselves according to contemporary admiralty law. By acting on behalf of the French Crown, if captured by the enemy, they could
Louisa (Quasi-War privateer) his cabin. However, "Louisa" fought off the attack, and Hoggard was taken ashore at Gibraltar, where he subsequently died. The USS Haggard (DD-555) was named in honor of the bravery of "Louisa"s captain and crew in the action off Gibraltar. Famous privateers 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