an agreement between two states for the exchange of their prisoners of war.

signifies also a letter of defiance, or a challenge to decide a controversy either in a tournament or in a single combat. See Duel.

CARTEL-Ship, a ship commissioned, in time of war, to exchange the prisoners of any two hostile powers; also to carry any particular request or proposal from one to another: for this reason, the officer who commands her is particularly ordered to carry no cargo, ammunition, or implements of war, except a single gun for the purpose of firing signals.