Privateer's first appeared as early as the 13th century in England but it really didn't start to catch on until the late 16th century when the French & Dutch had caught on to it. In America it was big time during the revolution uptil the war of 1812, piracy & smuggling was was the prefered trade in pre revolutionary times. This was a fantastic training ground to test the waters for what would later become the Colonial Navy. Depending on where one sat would determine weither one was a pirate or a privateer. Drake was consided both as was Raleigh, Grace O'Malley, Kidd, John Paul Jones, Henry Morgan was knighted & later hunted pirates, from his writings in "Sea Grammer" maybe Captain John Smith. Privateering was finally outlawed around the time of the American Civil War. On a last note Buccaneers preyed on all except their own nation were as privateer's on onnlllyyyy those at war with their nation & pirates preyed on all & that seems to have been where the gold was. Barry