214: THE TREATY OF WASHINGTON. 



ocean or some recognized possession of anotlier Power, 

 and, secondly, in virtue of the discoveries and rights 

 of extension of Spain ; and Great Britain claiming in 

 virtue of discovery and possession, and of rights of ex- 

 tension of her actual admitted possessions in America. 



Thus we arrive at the question of what her actual 

 admitted possessions w^ere: which is the key to the 

 Treaty of June 15, 1846, the interpretation of which 

 was referred to the Emperor of Germany. 



On the restoration of Charles II., projects of colo- 

 nization and of remote commercial or speculative en- 

 terprises, which had been suspended in England dur- 

 ing the Civil War, began to be resumed with new 

 zeal, comprehending as well the East as the West 

 Indies. 



Among the great territorial charters of that day, 

 one of the most interestim? is that of the Hudson's 

 Bay Company, by which the King granted to sundry 

 persons, including the Prince Bupert, the Duke of 

 Albemarle, the Eaj'l of Craven, Lord Arlington, Lord 

 Ashley, Sir John Ilobinson, Sir Edward llungerford, 

 and others [in part, it will be perceived, the same per- 

 sons who obtained a grant of the two Caroliuas], 



" The sole trade and commerce of all those seas, straits, bays, 

 rivers, lakes, creeks, and sounds, in wliatsoever latitude they 

 sliall be, tliat lie "svithin the entrance of tlie straits commonly 

 called Hudson's Straits, together with all the lands and terri- 

 tories upon the countries, coasts, and confines of the seas, bays, 

 lakes, rivers, creeks, and sounds aforesaid, that are not already 

 actually possessed by or granted to any of our subjects, or 

 possessed by the subjects of any other Christian Prince or 

 State, Avith the fishing of all sorts offish, whales, sturgeons, and 



