34 



Are licrfiby declare it to be onr highest Imperial will to grant to this 

 conipaiiy for a period of twenty years the following rights and privi- 

 leges : 



I. By the right of discovery in past times by Eiissian navigators of 

 the northwestern part of America, beginning from the fifty-fifth degree 

 of north latitnde and of the chain of islands extending from Kam- 

 tchntkatothe north to America, and. southward to Japan, and. by right 

 of possession of the same by Russia we most graciously permit the 

 company to have the use of all hunting grounds and establishments 

 now existing on the northeastern coast of America, from the above- 

 mentioned fifty-fifth degree to Bering Strait, and also on the Aleutian, 

 Kurile, and other islands situated in the Northeastern Ocean. 



There could not have been a more distinct assertion of rights of sov- 

 ereignty and dominion, in virtue of discovery and possession, than is 

 made in this State paper. Neither could it have been more formally, 

 or completely stated that the sovereign will and power of Russia was 

 exerted by this Imperial ukase to secure to the '' Russian- American Com- 

 pany under (Russia's) highest protection" "the benefits and advan- 

 tages resulting * * * from the hunting and trading carried 

 on * * * in the northeastern seas and ailong the consts of Amer- 

 ica." There can be no reasonable doubt that this ukase covered Bering 

 Sea and all hunting and trading in those waters. The rights conferred 

 by this ukase were supported by the power of the army and navy of 

 Russia, pledged for that purpose. 



The exclusive character of these rights, as to all the world, is stated 

 in Article X of the regulations embodied in this ukase, as follows: 



X. The exclusive right is most graciously granted to the company 

 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 dis<'Overy of new lands, prohibiting the 

 enjoyment of these profits 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 companies or traders as have their vessels in those 

 regions can either sell their property or, with the company's consent, 

 remain until they have obtained a cargo, but no longer than is required 

 for the loading and return of their vessel; and after that nobody will 

 have any ])rivileges but this one company, which will be i)rotected in 

 the enjoyment of all the rights mentioned. 



The rights thus exclusively granted relate to huntinrj and trading. 

 The rights of free navigation and of fishing are not granted exclusively 

 to this company, but " all profits and advantages derived from hunting^ 

 trade, industries, and discoveries of now lauds" are so granted. 



