Re: Pirates and Privateers

Karl sidenoted:

> Historical sidenote:
>
> Two cases in point:
> In 1848, the German states formed a federation, which also had
a Navy.
> Until the British Government recognised the joint German flag,
the ships
> officially were registered in the various states.

To which the proper reply is:
"Why should non-recognition by a bunch of ignorant foreigners
have any effect on the reality of our government?"