Forgive the ignorance (I gave away all the books some time ago) -- in the story under discussion is the ship the Surprise, and Aubrey still legit? Or the Leopard and Aubrey out of the service temporarily? If the first then privateer or letter of marque or whatever makes no sense, and Jed should rightly be flogged. If the second, then Aubrey might complain, but he might have a romantic bone in his overstuffed body, and anyway he isn't the singer of the song, is he? On the other hand, hands tended to be even more sticklers than their captains about their status. As long as we get to flog Jed, I am happy.

yours, Peter T. (whose nautical information is more along the lines of Stephen's).