Page "Confederate States Navy" Paragraph 18

President Davis was not confident of his executive authority to issue letters of marque and called a special session of Congress on April 29 to formally authorize the hiring of privateers in the name of the Confederate States.

On May 6 the Confederate Congress passed " An act recognizing the existence of war between the United States and the Confederate States, and concerning letters of marque, prizes, and prize goods.

" Then, on May 14, 1861, " An act regulating the sale of prizes and the distribution thereof ," was also passed.

Both acts granted the president power to issue letters of marque and detailed regulations as to the conditions on which letters of marque should be granted to private vessels, the conduct and behavior of the officers and crews of such vessels, and the disposal of such prizes made by privateer crews.

The manner in which Confederate privateers operated was generally similar to those of privateers of the United States or of European nations.