ST. HELENA 19 



singular ships, vessels and boats and all manner of merchandise 

 and wares, clothing, implements, beasts, cattle, horses and mares 

 which are or remaine upon or within the premises, or any part 

 thereof, and belonging unto us in any manner or wise, and Wee 

 are pleased, and do by these presents for us, our heirs and suc- 

 cessors, grant unto the said Governour and Company of Merchants 

 of London trading into the East Indies, that for the better supply 

 of the said island (being a place of no trade or traffique) and of 

 the castles erected and placed and to be erected and placed in or 

 upon the said island or within the premises or limit ts thereof and 

 of the inhabitants thereof to send of this kingdom to the said 

 island and to the castles, fortifications, forts, garrisons, collonies, 

 plantations and inhabitants thereof, all kinde of clothing, 

 provisions, victuals, ammunition, ordinance and supplyments 

 necessary for such purpose without paying any custom subsidy 

 or other duty for the same ; as also to transport and carry 

 over such number of men being willing thereunto as they shall 

 think fitt ; and forasmuch as Wee have made such grant of the 

 said island and premises to the said Governour and Company of 

 Merchants of London trading into the East Indies and their suc- 

 cessors as before is mentioned, it is therefore needfull such powers, 

 and premises and jurisdictions be granted unto them as be requisite 

 for the good government and safety thereof, and of the inhabitants 

 thereof ; Know yee therefore further, that reposing especiall trust 

 and confidence in theire fidelitye, justis, wisdome, provident cir- 

 cumspection, have granted and by these presents for us, our heirs 

 and successors, do grant unto the said Governour and Company 

 of Merchants of London trading into the East Indies, and their 

 successors that it shall and may be lawfull to and for the said Gov- 

 ernour and Company of Merchants of London for the time being, 

 or the major part of them, present at any publique assembly, 

 commonly called the Generall Court for the said Company, the 

 Governour of the said Company or Deputy being alwaies one, or 

 for the said Governour or his Deputy or Committees for the time 

 being or the major part of them, present att any assembly commonly 

 called the Generall Court of Committees holden for the said Com- 

 pany, the Governour or his Deputy likewise being alwaies one 

 from time to time ordain, make establish, and under theire common 

 seal to publish any laws, orders, ordinances and constitutions, 

 whatsoever, for the Government and other use 

 Company's of the said island and premises and the inhabitants 

 Legislative thereof ; and the same, or any of them againe 

 Power. and from time to time to revoak, abrogate and 

 change, as they in their directions shall think fitt 

 and convenient ; and also to impose, limitt and provide such 

 paines, punishments, and penalties by fines, amerciaments, im- 

 prisonments of body, and where the quality of the offence shall 

 require, by taking away life and member as to the said Governour 

 and Company for the time being, or the majority of them present 

 at any such Generall Court or to the said Governour, or his Deputy 



