CHARTER OF 1821. 25 



lands, remains as heretofore under the highest protection of His Impe- 

 rial Majesty. 



II. 



It enjoys the privilege of hnnting- and fishing, to the exclnsion of all 

 other Kiissian or foreign subjects tliroughuut the territories long since 

 in the possession of Russia on the coasts of ^orthMest America, begin- 

 ning at the northern jxnnt of the island of Vaucouver, in latitude 51 

 north, and extending to Bering Strait and beyond, as well as on all 

 islands adjoining tliis coast and all those situated between this coast 

 and the eastern shore of Siberia, as well as on the Kurile Islands, where 

 the Company has engaged in hunting down to the south cape of the 

 Island Urupa, in latitude 4:5° 50'. 



III. 



To enjoy and use all that has been found or discovered within the 

 limits of the localities described, on the surface as well as in the bowels 

 of the earth, and all that they may hereafter discover, regardless of any 

 claims advanced by others. 



lY. 



To make new discoveries beyond the limits defined above; and such 

 newly discovered localities, if they have not been previously occupied 

 or taken possession of by other European nations or subjects of the 

 American United States, may be occupied by the Company as Eussian 

 possessions; but no permanent settlements must be established there 

 without highest permission. 



Y. 



The Company is permitted to establish in the future, as necessity may 

 require or its interests may demand, within the limits mentioned in sec- 

 tion ii, new settlements and fortifications to protect such settlements, or 

 to extend and improve original settlements, dispatching to those regions 

 ships with goods and rec^nforcements of men without interference. 



YI. 



In order that the Company alone may enjoy the exclusive rights be- 

 stowed upon it, and to pievent in the future any molestation or disturb- 

 ance on the part of Eussian subjects or foreigners, rules and regulations 

 have been established indicating how to proceed with those who either 

 intentionally or by accident violated the prohibition against visiting the 

 regions contained witliin the limits described in section ii of these 

 privileges. Thei-efore these rules must be strictly observed both by the 

 Company and by the oflicials concerned, 



YII. 



To carry on intercourse by sea with all adjoining nations and to trade 

 witli them with the consent of their respective governments, excepting 

 with the Cliinese Empire, the shores of which must not be visited by 

 the Company's ships. Care must also be taken that the Company's 

 ships do not engage in any traffic with other nations or in any other 

 intercourse prohibited by their respective governments. 



4 



