Over ten thousand seamen were made prisoners at a time when England sorely needed them for drafting into her navy.

To lose them was a far more serious matter than for General Washington to capture as many Hessian mercenaries who could be replaced by purchase.
In some respects privateering as waged a century and more ago was a sordid, unlovely business, the ruling motive being rather a greed of gain than an ardent love of country.

Shares in lucky ships were bought and sold in the gambling spirit of a stock exchange.

Fortunes were won and lost regardless of the public service.

It became almost impossible to recruit men for the navy because they preferred the chance of booty in a privateer.