Description
Privateers were persons and ships given authority to take ships and shipments by a government. The Dutch, English, and even some colonies issued privateering papers to manipulate trade. The line between Pirate and Privateer became a bit blurry in some cases, but in general, having a directive from some higher authority made a person a Privateer instead of a Pirate.
Several ships that frequented New Netherland were privateers including the La Garce.
For more information see: https://encyclopedia.nahc-mapping.org/object/ships-privateer