The American Experience of British Prize Law, 1776-1804

A detailed examination of one of the key issues for British-American relations, for international trade and for international law.


The taking of prizes, that is the capture of enemy vessels either by the Royal Navy or by private individuals licensed as privateers, was a crucial component of British naval strategy in the eighteenth century. The legality of prize-taking depended on the determination of the nationality or neutrality of both vessel and cargo - a major point of contention between...