The Rules for Ransoming apply to ships that carry a Letter of Ransom. Letters of Ransom are issued by privateers to ships that have been attacked by them. Ships that carry such a letter are free from attacks from other privateers who have to let them pass unmolested. A captain usually gets several of these letters with him when he goes privateering. The Rules instruct a privateer on how and when to use the letters. Failure to comply with these rules can result in stiff sentences for Captains as wel as crews. The unauthorized copying of Letters of Ransom or forging by merchants is also heavily penalized when discovered.
Ransoming is a common practice among privateers. Usually persons or cargoes are taken from the ships and held for ransom. The family or owners have to pay a ransom to get their relatives or posessions back. Cargoes, or parts of cargoes are generally less popular as objects for ransoming than persons.