Official text prohibited actmental stateif conditionpenaltylegal term
Whoever, being a citizen of the United States, without the limits thereof, fits out and arms, or to fit out and arm or is concerned in furnishing, fitting out, or arming any private vessel of war or privateer, with intent that such vessel shall be employed to cruise or commit hostilities upon the citizens of the United States or their property; or
Whoever takes the command of or enters on board of any such vessel with such intent; or
Whoever purchases any interest in any such vessel with a view to share in the profits thereof—
Shall be or imprisoned not more than ten years, or both.
It is a federal crime for a U.S. citizen outside the U.S. to arm or help arm a private warship (privateer) meant to attack U.S. citizens or their property. Commanding or boarding such a ship with that intent, or buying a share of its profits, is also a crime.