The researcher in the UK is particularly fortunate as the primary sources for privateer records are all housed in the National Archives at Kew .

There are three basic sources the Register of Letters of Marque, the Declarations and the Bail bonds.

As for Letters of Marque they went with the vessel and are most likely to be found amongst the prize court records of the United States – presuming of course the vessel was captured.

The opposite is of course true and Kew has American letters of marque amongst the prize cases from the UK Admiralty court.

The Register ADM 7/319 [National Archives reference code]

The register covers the issuing of letters against all hostile powers of the period not just those taken out against the United States . It was there for possible for a vessel to carry letters against several enemy powers.

The Register, gives the following information;

Vessel name, Type, ship, brig etc. Commander, Tonnage and Armament

The Declaration HCA 25/205

The Declaration amplifies the data contained in the Register providing;

Home port, Crew size, Stores, and named crew: Mate, Gunner, Boatswain, Carpenter, Cook, and Surgeon. Lastly it gives the owner's of the vessel.

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Update as of September 2008 the Register is complete and image of that Declaration linked to it.

The listing has been given alphabetically, so as to show vessels which may have gone out under several commissions - the number liking to the image is the number of the Commission in the Register.