Tlic Home of tlic Wolverene and Beaver. 23 



coasts, and confines of the sea, bays, lakes, rivers, 

 creeks and sounds aforesaid," that were not 

 previously granted to or in the possession of any 

 British subjects, or those of any other Christian 

 prince. Ail mines of gold, silver, gems or precious 

 stones, discovered, or to be discovered, within those 

 territories and limits, were also conveyed to the 

 Company. Of the territory itself, they were con- 

 stituted free and absolute proprietors, on condition 

 of paying yearly the sovereign two elks and two 

 black beavers ; but this only whenever the sovereign 

 should be within the limits of their territory. The 

 Company had power to make laws, constitutions 

 and ordinances, and to provide pains, penalties, and 

 punishments for their violation ; whilst fines for the 

 breach of laws thus made, were to go to the 

 Company. There was, however, one limitation to 

 these powers ; the laws, constitutions, orders, and 

 ordinances which the Company might make, and 

 the fines and amercements which they might impose, 

 were required to be " reasonable, and not contrary 

 or repugnant, but as near as may be agreeable to 

 the law, statutes or customs of the realm." 



How complete was the monopoly intended to be 

 conveyed by Charles II. may be seen by the stipula- 

 tion on the part of the King, that no other subjects 

 of Great Britain, except the few favoured individuals 



