THE SECOND LEVANT CHARTER ad. 



1592. 



deputies, shall and may by the space of twelve yeeres 



from the day of the date of these our letters Patents 



freely traffike, and use the trade of Marchandize as well 



by sea as by lande into and from the dominions of the 



sayde Grand Signor, and into and from Venice, Zante, A prtvijedge 



Candie and Zephalonia, and other the dominions of the •& r *t e East 



Signiorie and State of Venice, and also by lande through 



the Countries of the sayde Grand Signor into and from 



the East India, lately discovered by John Newberie, 



Ralph Fitch, William Leech, and James Storie, sent with 



our letters to that purpose at the proper costs and charge 



of the sayde Marchants or some of them : and into and 



from everie of them in such order, manner, forme, libertie 



and condition to all intentes and purposes as shall be 



betweene them of the sayde fellowshippe or companie 



of Marchantes of the Levant or the more part of them 



for the time being limited and agreed, and not otherwise, 



without any molestation, impeachment, or disturbance ; 



any lawe, statute, usage, or diversitie of Religion or faith, 



or any other cause or matter whatsoever to the contrarie 



notwithstanding. 



And that the sayde Governour and companie of 

 Marchantes of the Levant, or the greater part of them 

 for the better governement of the sayde fellowshippe and 

 companie, shall and may within fortie dayes next and 

 immediatly following after the date heereof, and so from 

 thence foorth yeerely during the continuance of this our 

 graunt, assemble themselves in some convenient place, 

 and that they or the greater parte of them being so 

 assembled, shall and may elect, ordaine, nominate, and 

 appoint twelve discreete and honest persons of the sayde 

 companie to be assistants to the sayde Governour, and to 

 continue in the sayde office of assistants, untill they shall 

 die or bee remooved by the sayde Governour and com- 

 panie or the greater part of them. And if it happen the 

 sayde assistantes or any of them to die, or be remooved 

 from their sayde office at anie time during the continuance 

 of this our graunt : that then and so often it shall and 



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