I've been reading a lot of the Aubrey-Maturin series and it opened my eyes to the internal conflicts in the Royal Navy regarding when a captain got paid and when he did not. What sail he was under, what sail his adversary was under, the battle situation, etc. Can anyone clarify exactly what the rules where and if they changed from nation to nation? Also, did it change over time? Where did this practice come from?
I'm afraid your questions are unclear (and I might be more likely to get more context than some, because I've read the Aubrey-Maturin series and the Hornblower series). Would you please explain?
After some thought: maybe you mean the rules for prize money, and under what flag == colours? (I'm not trying to be pedantic, for all love; the words have meaning. A captain's pay was his salary. I have not heard of sails having anything to do with income.)