Their very names told of the reasons of the American merchantmen for complaint--the reasons why they rejoiced that they were now to have their turn.

There were the "Orders-in-Council," the "Right-of-Search," the "Fair-trader," the "Revenge." Some were mere pilot-boats, with a Long Tom amidships and a crew of sixty men; others were vessels of 300 tons, with an armament and crew like a man-of-war.

Before the middle of July, 1812, sixty-five such privateers had sailed, and the British merchantmen were scudding for cover like a covey of frightened quail.
The War of 1812 was won, so far as it was won at all, on the ocean.

In the land operations from the very beginning the Americans came off second best; and the one battle of importance in which they were the victors--the battle of New Orleans--was without influence upon the result, having been fought after the treaty of peace had been signed at Ghent.

But on the ocean the honors were all taken by the Americans, and no small share of these honors fell to the private armed navy of privateers.