FUR-SEAL FISHERIES OF ALASKA, XV 



with branches at Algonak and Unalaska Island, and on Kenayan 

 andTshugatshain Bays. Numerous other companies were subsequently 

 formed, but in 1797 the different interests were consolidated and a new 

 company formed, with headquarters at Irkutsk, which made application 

 to the Czar for an imperial charter. The imperial commission, to whom 

 the application was referred, said : 



Having received information from all sides of disorders, outrages, and oppressions 

 of tlie natives caused in the colonies by parties of Russian hunters, as well as of 

 groundless claims advanced by foreign navigators to lands discovered by Russians, it 

 had some reason to hope that placing the business of that distant region in the hands 

 of one strong company would serve, on the one hand, to perpetuate Russian suprein- 

 acy there, and on the other would prevent many disorders and preserve the fur 

 trade, the principal wealth of the country, affording protection to the natives against 

 violence and abuse, and tending toward general improvement of their condition." 

 (Bancroft's Hist. Alaska, p. :J78.) 



In accordance with this recommendation an imperial ukase was 

 issued December 27, 1799, as follows : 



By the grace of a merciful God, we, Paul the First, Emperor and Autocrat of all the 

 Russias, etc. To the Russian American Company under our highest protection : 

 The benefits and advantages resulting to our Empire from the hunting and trading 

 carried on by our loyal subjects in the northeastern seas and along the coasts of 

 America have attracted our royal attention and consideration; therefore, having 

 taken under our immediate protection a company organized for the above-named pur- 

 pose of carrying on hunting and trading, we allow it to assume the appellation of 

 "Russian American Company," under our highest protection ; and for the purpose of 

 aiding the company in its enterprise we allow the commanders of our land and sea 

 forces to employ said forces in the company's aid if occasion requires it, while for 

 further relief and assistance of said company, and having examined their rules and 

 regulations, we hereby declare it to be our highest imperial will to grant to this 

 company for a period of twenty years the following rights and privileges: 



(1) By the right of discovery in past times, by Russian navigators, of the north- 

 eastern (western) i>art of America, beginning from the tifty-fifth degree of north lati- 

 tude and of the chain of islands extending from Kamtchatka to the north to America, 

 and southward to Japan, and by right ot possession of the same by Russia, we most 

 graciously permit the company to have the use of all hunting grounds and estab- 

 lishments now existing on the northeastern (western) coast of America, from the 

 above-mentioned fifty-fifth degree to Bering Strait, and on the same also on the Aleu- 

 tian, Kurile, and other islands situated on the Northeasten Ocean. 



(2) To make new discoveries not only north of the fifty-fifth degree of north lati- 

 tude, but further to the south, and to 'occupy the new lands discovered, as Russian 

 jiossessions, according to prescribed rules, if they have not been previously occupied 

 by any other nation, or been dependent on another nation. 



(3) To use and profit by everything which has been or shall be discovered in those 

 localities, on the surface and in the bosom of the earth, without any competition by 

 others. 



(4) We most graciously permit this company to establish settlements in future 

 times, wherever they are wanted, according to their best knowledge and belief, and 

 fortify them to insure the safety of the inhabitants, a«d to send ships to those shores 

 with goods and hunters, without any obstacles on the part of the Government. 



(r>) To extend their navigation to all adjoining nations and hold bu.siness inter- 

 course with all surrounding powers upon obtaining their free consent for the purpose, 

 and under our highest protection, to enable them to prosecute their enterprises with 

 greatef force and advantage. 



(6) To employ for navigation, hunting, and all other business, free and unsuspected 

 people, having no illegal views or intentions. In consideration of the distance of 

 the localities where they will be sent, the provincial authorities will grant to all per- 

 sons sent out as settlers, hunters, and in other capacities, passports for seven years. 

 Serfs and house servants wiU only be employed by the company with the consent of 

 their landholders, and Government taxes will be paid for all serfs thus employed. 



(7) Though it is forbidden by our highest order to cut Government timber any- 

 where without the permission of the College of Admiralty, this company is hereby 

 permitted, on account of the distance of the admiralty from Okhotsk, when it needs 

 timber for repairs, and occasionally for the construction of new ships, to use freely 

 such timber as is required. 



