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OUT CUTLASES AND BOARD.
Salem was the foremost privateering port of the Revolution, and from this pleasant harbor, long since deserted by ships and sailormen, there filled away past Cape Ann one hundred and fifty-eight vessels of all sizes to scan the horizon for British topsails.

They accounted for four hundred prizes, or half the whole number to the credit of American arms afloat.

This preeminence was due partly to freedom from a close blockade and partly to a seafaring population which was born and bred to its trade and knew no other.

Besides the crews of Salem merchantmen, privateering enlisted the idle fishermen of ports nearby and the mariners of Boston whose commerce had been snuffed out by the British occupation.