One of four letters of Marque and Reprisal issued to the London Privateer 'Active', c. 1807. Dated 16 October. Licence to act against French vessels.
Letters of Marque were licences to carry out privateering activity against a specific enemy. These were issued to a syndicate of London merchants, Benjamin Fayle, Richard Chambers and John Benjamin Hooper of Dove Court, Lombard Street, London. The 'Active' was a captured prize brig of 122 tons, armed with fourteen 6-pounder guns. Of her crew of 25 men, one third were to be Landsmen belonging to the Port of London. She was commanded by Edward Oates.
The document has an intact wafer seal impressed with the three-decked warship under full sail. The head of the document is ornately printed in black ink with the head of George III in the letter 'G' , the Royal Arms and various allegorical figures.
