Catalogue description High Court of Admiralty: Prize Court: Warrants, Bonds and Bails for Letters of Marque

This series comprises warrants, bonds and bails for letters of marque concerning the Prize Court of the High Court of Admiralty.

These warrants were sent by the Lord High Admiral or Commissioners of the Admiralty to the Judge of the High Court of Admiralty, requiring him to issue letters of marque to the commanders of private vessels. Security had to be given on the commander's correct performance of his articles, so a bond was taken from persons who stood surety for the commander. From 1696 the bond was replaced by the bail. From 1689 a certificate was issued by the Deputy Marshal of the Court to say the sureties were sufficient; and from 1759 the sureties swore an affidavit. The early warrants and bonds were filed separately, but from 1689 to 1815 the case papers are folded together. Some registers in this series concern the issue of letters of marque, 1625 to 1668. Further Declarations (Bonds) for 1549-1696 and 1795-1813 are in HCA 25

High Court of Admiralty, Prize Court, 1660-1875