The US Constitution still retains the right to issue "Letters of Marque And Reprisal." In other words, the government has the power to commission privateers in lieu of declaring war on a sovereign nation. It allows private citizens engage foreign powers in battle and claim spoils of war (provided they turn over a portion to the gov't). The practice was becoming less common during the drafting of the Constitution, and the Hague Convention essentially abolished it. The US wasn't so ready to give up the right in the first place (waiting until almost WWI), and some today think it should be reinstated as part of our current War on Terror.
#
No comments at this time.
|