CARE OF GREAT BRITAIN. 23 



5. To extend tbeir uavigatiou to all adjoiuiug uations and liold busi- 

 ness intercourse with all surrounding Powers, upon obtaining their 

 free consent for the purpose, and under our highest protection, t® 

 enable them to prosecute their enterprises with greater force and 

 advantage. 



6. To employ for navigation, hunting, and all other business, free 

 and unsuspected people, having no illegal views or intentions. In 

 consideration of the distance of the localities where they will be 

 sent, the provincial authorities will grant to all persons sent out as 

 settlers, hunters, and in other capacities, passports for seven years. 

 Serfs and house-servants will only be employed by the Company with 

 the consent of their laud-holders, and Government taxes will be paid 

 for all serfs thus employed. 



7. Though it is forbidden by our highest order to cut Government 

 timber anywhere without the ])ermission of the College of Admiralty, 

 tills Company is hereby permitted, on account of the distance of the 

 the Admiralty from Okhotsk, when it needs timber for repairs, and 

 occasionally lor the construction of new ships, to use freely such tim- 

 ])er as is re([uired. 



8. For shooting animals, for marine signals, and on all unexpected 

 emergencies on the mainland of America and on the islands, the Com- 

 pany is permitted to buy for cash, at cost i)rice, from the Government 

 artillery magazine at Irkutsk yearly 40 or 50 ponds of powder, and 

 from tbe Nertchinsk mine 200pou(1s of lead. 



9. If one of the partners of the Company becomes indebted to the 

 Government or to private persons, and is not in a condition to pay them 

 from any other property except what be holds in the Company, such 

 property cannot be seized for the satisfaction of such debts, i)ut the 

 debtor shall not be permitted to use anything but the interest or 

 dividends of such property until the term of the Company's privileges 



expires, when it will be at his or his creditors' disposal. 

 27 10. The exclusive right most graciously granted to the Com- 



pany for a period of twenty years, to use and enjoy, in the above- 

 described extent of country and Islands, all profits and advantages 

 derived from hunting, trade, industries, and discovery of new lands, 

 prohibiting the enjoyment of tlioso ju'otits and advantages not only 

 to those who would wish to sail to those countries on their own 

 account, but to all former hunters and trappers who have been engaged 

 in this trade, and have their vessels and furs at those places; and 

 other Companies which may have been formed will not be allowed to 

 continue their business unless they unite with the present Company 

 with their free consent; but such private Co i panics or traders as 

 have their vessels in those regions can either sell their projierty, or, 

 with the Company's consent, remain until they have obtained a cargo, 

 but no longer than is required ibr the loading and return of their 

 vessel; and after that nobody will have any i)rivileges but this one 

 Company, which will be protected in the enjoyment of all the advan- 

 tages mentioned. 



11. Under our highest protection, the Russian-American Company 

 will have full control overall above-mentioned localities, and exercise 

 judicial powers in minor cases. The Company will also be permitted 

 to use all local facilities for fortifications in the defence of the country 

 under their control against foreign attacks. Only partners of the 

 Company shall be employed in the administration of the new posses- 

 sions in charge of the Company. 



In conclusion of this our most gracious order for the benefit of the 

 Russian-American Company under highest protection, we enjoin all our 

 nulltary and civil authorities in the above-mentioned localities not only 

 not to prevent them from enjoying to the fullest extent the privileges 

 granted by us, but in case of need to protect them with all their power 

 from loss or injury, and to render them, upon application of the Com- 

 pany's authorities, all necessary aid, assistance, and protection. 



To give eft'ect to this our most gracious < )rder, we subscribe it with 

 our own hand, and give orders to confirm it with our Imperial seal. 



Given at St, Petersburgh, in the year after the birth of Christ, 1799, 

 the 27th day of December, in the fourth year of our relgu. 



'Signed) Paul. 



