THE RUSSIAN AMERICAN COMrANY. 77 



it is entitled to compensation, and specifying the method of fixing; the 

 compensation. 



8. Permission is given to bring into the ports of New Arcliangel, on 

 the island of tSitka, of St. Paul, on the island of Kadiak, and into such 

 otliers as may be subsequently found convenient for the purpose, all 

 kinds of merchandise (except intoxicating beverages, jiowder, and arms) 

 on board both Russian and foreign vessels. 



9. Special regulations shall be prescribed concerning the importation 

 of intoxicating liquors and the sale thereof in the Colonies, as well as 

 the furnishing of arms and powder, such regulations to be of such a 

 character as not to impose onerous restrictions u])on the inhabitants, 

 and at the same time to guard against abuses and injurious conse- 

 quences. 



10. The Aleuts and other peaceful natives within the Colonies are 

 relieved from compulsory labor in behalf of the Russian American Com- 

 pany. They shall be allowed to settle in localities which they may find 

 convenient, and shall be free to absent themselves from the places of 

 their residence, subject only to such rules of police as may be estab- 

 lished by the board of administration of the Colonies. 



11. All the inhabitants of the Colonies permanently residing therein 

 shall be classified either as natives or as colonial residents, to which lat- 

 ter class shall belong the Creoles, the now so-called colonial citizens, and 

 the immigrants who may in future arrive in the Colonies. The natives 

 shall have the right of electing their chiefs and the colonial citizens 

 shall be governed by elective elders. Both the chiefs and elders sliall 

 be confirmed by the chief manager of the Colonies and be liable to re- 

 moval by him, in which latter case it shall be his duty to order a new 

 election. 



12. The period of obligatory service to the Russian American Com- 

 pany by Creoles educated at the exy)ense of the Company, either in the 

 Colonies or outside, is limited to five years. 



13. It shall be lawful for Russian subjects, as well as for foreigners 

 who have become Russian subjects, to settle at all points of the colonial 

 territory not actually occupied by establishments of the Company or 

 present colonial inhabitants, and to occuj)y for their dwellings, out- 

 buildings, and tilling all necessary areas of unoccupied lands. 



14. Until further orders from the Government, the inhabitants of 

 the ( 'Olonies shall not be subject to any direct taxes, either in behalf of 

 the Crown or of the Russian x\merican Company. 



15. Every description of trade, except the fur trade, shall be free to 

 all the residents of the Colonies and to all Russian subjects without 

 distinction or limitation. 



As regards the fur trade: (a) Reserve to the Russian American Com- 

 pany until January 1, 1882, the exclusive right of engaging in the fur 

 trade within the following limits only: On the peninsula of Alaska, 

 taking for its northern boundary the line from Cape Douglas, in the 

 Bay of Kenai, to the upper shore of Iliarana Lake; ui)on all the islands 

 situated along the coast of that i^eninsula, nan^.ely, the Aleutian Islands, 

 the Commander Islands, the Kurile Islands, as well as upon the islands 

 situated in Bering Sea, and along the whole western shore^ of Bering- 

 Sea. As regards the region stretching northeast of the Alaska penin- 

 sula, along the whole of the coast up to the boundary line contiguous 

 with the possessions of Great Britain, and on the islands situated along 



' It is clear from the context that it is iutoided to refer to the eastern shore of 

 Boring Sea. 



