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Boat owners were using their fleet for trading, however, during war times they were allowed by the king (who signed a "lettre de marque" to be kept in a safe on a boat - a copy of a lettre de marque signed by Louis XV in 1745 and a safe are on the picture) to go after pirates and ennemies. The captain of the boat hence became a privateer during wars. Rules of engagement were very strict: the battle stopped when one boat could capture the other boat's flag in case of an ennemy boat; in case of engagement with pirates there was essentially no rule. The victor could keep part of the opponent's goods and had to give a large part to his king.