22 CASE OF GREAT BRITAIN. 



Russian traders. The increasing trade by foreigners, 

 togetlier with tlie nnmerous exploring and surveying 

 25 exi)editions dispatelied to the north-west coast of 

 America by various Powers, were no doubt distrusted 

 by the Russian traders; but at the same time these traders 

 were often obb'ged to depend on such foreigners for sup- 

 port and assistance. 



Xowherein the annals of the times previous to, and dur- 

 ing the operation of tlie Ukase of 1709, do we tind any 

 reference to attempts to interfere with or restrict the opera- 

 tions of foreigners upon tlie American coasts or in the 

 Aleutian Islands. Even the scieiitilic expeditions of the 

 period were often largely interested in trade as well as in 

 exploration, but all vessels meeting with the Russians 

 report a favourable, if not a hos])itable, reception. 



Such an attitude on the part of the traders and the Com- 

 Y)any is, in fact, strictly in accord with the Ukase of 1790, 

 which is ]»urely domestic in its character, and in which no 

 exclusive right^ against foreigners are asserted. 



UKASE OF 1799. 



The following is a literal translation of the Ukase in 

 question, taken from Golovuin, in '^Materialui dia Istoriy 

 Russkikh Zasseleniy," i., 77-80: 



Alaska, i)p.:H7i'- By the grace of a merciful God, we, Panl I, Emperor and Autocrat 

 3«"- of All the Russias, &c. To the Russian-American Company, under 



our highest protection, the beuetits and advantages resulting to our 

 I'jinpire from the liuntmg and trading carried on by onr loyal subjects 

 i n the north-eastern seas and along tlie coasts of America^ have attracted 

 our Ivoyal attention and consideration; therefore, having taken under 

 our inuuediate protection a Company organized for the above-named 

 ])urpfise of carrying on hunting and trading, we allow it to assume 

 the appellation of " Russian-American Couipany under our highest 

 protection;" and for the pur])oso of aiding tlie Company in its enter- 

 prises, we allow the Commanders of our land and sea forces to employ 

 said forces in the Company's aid if occasion recinires it, while for fur- 

 ther relief and assistance of said Comi)aiiy, and having examined 

 • their Rules and Regulations, we hereby declare it to be our highest 



Imperial will to grant to this Company for a period of twenty years 

 the following rights and privileges: 



1. By the right of discovery in past times by Russian navigators of 

 the nortli-eastern part of America, beginning from the a^tli degree of 

 north latitude and of the chain of islands extending from Kamschatka 

 to the north to America and southward to dapan, aud by right of ])os- 

 session of the same by Russia, we most graciously permit the 

 2(j Company to have the use of all liuiitiug grounds and establish- 

 ments now existing on the north-eastern [sic'] coast of America, 

 from the above-mentioned Both degree to Behriug Strait, and i n the 

 same also on the Aleutian, Kurile, and other islands situated in the 

 north-eastern ocean. 



'2. To make lunv discoveries not only north of the Suth degree of 

 north latitude but fartlier to the south, and to occnjiy tlui new lands 

 discovered, as Russian possessions, according to ])rescribed rules, if 

 they have not been previously occu]>ied by any other nation, or been 

 dependent on another nation. 



3. 'J'o use and prolit by (everything whi(di has lieen or shall l)e dis- 

 covered in those, localities, on tlu; surface and in the bosom of the 

 earth, without any comjietition by olliers. 



4. We most graciously permit tliis Com]iany to establish Settle- 

 ments in future times, wherever they are wanted, according to their 

 best knowledge aud belief, and fortify them to insure tlie saiety of 

 the inhabitants, aud to send ships to those shores with goods and 

 hunters, without any obstacles on tlie part of the Government. 



