Privateering and Piracy in the Colonial Period: Illustrative Documents

"Privateering and Piracy in the Colonial Period" by J. Franklin Jameson is a historical account published in the early 20th century. The work compiles a collection of original documents that shed light on privateering and piracy as they relate to the American colonial experience. The book explores the significance of these maritime activities not just as acts of violence or commerce, but as crucial components of economic life and military strategy during the colonial era. The opening of the volume outlines the purpose of the collection, emphasizing the importance and often overlooked aspects of maritime history during the colonial period. It explains that the National Society of the Colonial Dames of America commissioned the work to provide access to previously unprinted historical documents that reflect both privateering and piracy. It highlights the legal distinctions and practical overlaps between these two practices while introducing the documents that will follow, each illuminating different facets of maritime activities and their impact on colonial America.