Although titled a "corsaire" (normally translated as corsair, i.e. pirate), the general appearance of La Comtesse Emeriau would suggest that she was actually a privateer, especially given that the Napoleonic Wars were still at their height in 1810. Privateers - privately owned vessels armed with cannon and operating against enemy trade in time of war - were a common feature of sea warfare during the age of sail and provided valuable support to the navies of the day.