Charter and supplemental charter of the Hudson\'s Bay Company
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Hudson\'s Bay Company >> Charter and supplemental charter of the Hudson\'s Bay Company
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CHARTER
AND
SUPPLEMENTAL CHARTER
OF THE
HUDSON'S BAY COMPANY
THE
ROYAL CHARTER
FOR INCORPORATING
THE HUDSON'S BAY COMPANY.
A.D. 1670.
CHARLES THE SECOND, by the Grace of God, King of England, Scotland,
France, and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, &c. To ALL to whom these
Presents shall come, greeting: WHEREAS Our dear and entirely beloved
Cousin, Prince Rupert, Count Palatine of the Rhine, Duke of Bavaria and
Cumberland, &c. Christopher, Duke of Albemarle, William, Earl of Craven,
Henry, Lord Arlington, Anthony, Lord Ashley, Sir John Robinson, and
Sir Robert Vyner, Knights and Baronets, Sir Peter Colleton, Baronet,
Sir Edward Hungerford, Knight of the Bath, Sir Paul Neele, Knight,
Sir John Griffith and Sir Philip Carteret, Knights, James Hayes, John
Kirke, Francis Millington, William Prettyman, John Fenn, Esquires,
and John Portman, Citizen and Goldsmith of London, have, at their
own great Cost and Charges, undertaken an Expedition for Hudson's Bay
in the North-west Part of America, for the Discovery of a new Passage
into the South Sea, and for the finding some Trade for Furs, Minerals,
and other considerable Commodities, and by such their Undertaking, have
already made such Discoveries as do encourage them to proceed further
in Pursuance of their said Design, by means whereof there may probably
arise very great Advantage to Us and Our Kingdom. AND WHEREAS the said
Undertakers, for their further Encouragement in the said Design, have
humbly besought Us to incorporate them, and grant unto them, and their
Successors, the sole Trade and Commerce of all those Seas, Streights,
Bays, Rivers, Lakes, Creeks, and Sounds, in whatsoever Latitude they
shall be, that lie within the entrance of the Streights commonly
called Hudson's Streights, together with all the Lands, Countries
and Territories, upon the Coasts and Confines of the Seas, Streights,
Bays, Lakes, Rivers, Creeks and Sounds, aforesaid, which are not now
actually possessed by any of our Subjects, or by the Subjects of any
other Christian Prince or State. Now KNOW YE, that We being desirous to
promote all Endeavours tending to the publick Good of our People, and
to encourage the said Undertaking, HAVE of Our especial Grace, certain
Knowledge, and mere Motion, given, granted, ratified, and confirmed,
and by these Presents for Us, Our Heirs and Successors, DO give, grant,
ratify and confirm, unto Our said Cousin Prince Rupert, Christopher, Duke
of Albemarle, William, Earl of Craven, Henry, Lord Arlington, Anthony,
Lord Ashley, Sir John Robinson, Sir Robert Vyner, Sir Peter Colleton,
Sir Edward Hungerford, Sir Paul Neele, Sir John Griffith, and Sir
Philip Carteret, James Hayes, John Kirke, Francis Millington, William
Prettyman, John Fenn, and John Portman, that they, and such others
as shall be admitted into the said Society as is hereafter expressed,
shall be one Body Corporate and Politique, in Deed and in Name, by the
Name of The Governor and Company of Adventurers of England, trading
into Hudson's Bay, and them by the Name of the Governor and Company of
Adventurers of England, trading into Hudson's Bay, one Body Corporate and
Politique, in Deed and in Name, really and fully for ever, for Us, Our
Heirs and Successors, WE DO make ordain, constitute, establish, confirm,
and declare, by these Presents, and that by the same Name of Governor
and Company of Adventurers of England, trading into Hudson's Bay, they
shall have perpetual Succession, and that they and their Successors,
by the name of the Governor and Company of Adventurers of England,
trading into Hudson's Bay, be, and at all Times hereafter shall be,
personable and capable in Law to have, purchase, receive, possess,
enjoy and retain, Lands, Rents, Privileges, Liberties, Jurisdictions,
Franchises, and Hereditaments, of what Kind, Nature or Quality soever
they be, to them and their Successors; and also to give, grant, demise,
alien, assign and dispose Lands, Tenements and Hereditaments, and to
do and execute all and singular other Things by the same Name that to
them shall or may appertain to do. And that they, and their Successors,
by the Name of The Governor and Company of Adventurers of England,
trading into Hudson's Bay, may plead, and be impleaded, answer, and
be answered, defend, and be defended, in whatsoever Courts and Places,
before whatsoever Judges and Justices, and other Persons and Officers,
in all and singular Actions, Pleas, Suits, Quarrels, Causes and Demands,
whatsoever, of whatsoever Kind, Nature or Sort, in such Manner and
Form as any other. Our Liege People of this Our Realm of England,
being Persons able and capable in Law, may, or can have, purchase,
receive, possess, enjoy, retain, give, grant, demise, alien, assign,
dispose, plead, defend, and be defended, do, permit, and execute. And
that the said Governor and Company of Adventurers of England, trading
into Hudson's Bay, and their Successors, may have a Common Seal to
serve for all the Causes and Businesses of them and their Successors,
and that it shall and may be lawful to the said Governor and Company,
and their Successors, the same Seal, from time to time, at their Will
and Pleasure, to break, change, and to make anew, or alter, as to them
shall seem expedient. AND FURTHER WE WILL, and by these Presents for
Us, Our Heirs and Successors, WE DO ordain, that there shall be from
henceforth one of the same Company to be elected and appointed in such
Form as hereafter in these Presents is expressed, which shall be called
The Governor of the said Company. And that the said Governor and Company
shall or may elect Seven of their Number in such Form as hereafter in
these Presents is expressed, which shall be called The Committee of
the said Company, which Committee of Seven, or any Three of them,
together with the Governor or Deputy-Governor of the said Company for
the time being, shall have the Direction of the Voyages of and for
the said Company, and the Provision of the Shipping and Merchandizes
thereunto belonging, and also the Sale of all Merchandizes, Goods, and
other Things returned, in all or any the Voyages or Ships of or for
the said Company, and the managing and handling of all other Business,
Affairs and Things, belonging to the said Company. AND WE WILL, ordain,
and grant by these Presents for Us, Our Heirs and Successors, unto the
said Governor and Company, and their Successors, that they the said
Governor and Company, and their Successors, shall from henceforth for
ever be ruled, ordered and governed, according to such Manner and Form
as is hereafter in these Presents expressed, and not otherwise: And
that they shall have, hold, retain, and enjoy the Grants, Liberties,
Privileges, Jurisdictions and Immunities, only hereafter in these
Presents granted and expressed, and no other. And for the better
Execution of Our Will and Grant in this Behalf, WE HAVE ASSIGNED,
nominated, constituted, and made, and by these Presents for Us, our
Heirs and Successors, WE DO ASSIGN, nominate, constitute and make,
our said Cousin, PRINCE RUPERT, to be the first and present Governor
of the said Company, and to continue in the said Office from the Date
of these Presents until the 10th November then next following, if he,
the said Prince Rupert, shall so long live, and so until a new Governor
be chosen by the said Company in Form hereafter expressed. AND ALSO
WE HAVE assigned, nominated and appointed, and by these Presents for
Us, Our Heirs and Successors, WE DO assign, nominate and constitute,
the said Sir John Robinson, Sir Robert Vyner, Sir Peter Colleton,
James Hayes, John Kirke, Francis Millington, and John Portman, to be
the seven first and present Committees of the said Company, from the
Date of these Presents until the said 10th Day of November then also
next following, and so until new Committees shall be chosen in Form
hereafter expressed. AND FURTHER WE WILL and grant by these Presents,
for Us, Our Heirs and Successors, unto the said Governor and Company and
their Successors, that it shall and may be lawful to and for the said
Governor and Company for the Time being, or the greater Part of them
present at any publick Assembly commonly called, The Court General to
be holden for the said Company, the Governor of the said Company being
always one, from time to time to elect, nominate and appoint one of the
said Company to be Deputy to the said Governor; which Deputy shall take
a corporal Oath, before the Governor and three or more of the Committee
of the said Company for the time being, well, truly, and faithfully to
execute his said Office of Deputy to the Governor of the said Company,
and after his Oath so taken, shall and may from time to time, in the
Absence of the said Governor, exercise and execute the Office of
Governor of the said Company, in such Sort as the said Governor ought
to do. AND FURTHER WE WILL and grant by these Presents, for Us, Our
Heirs and Successors, unto the said Governor and Company of Adventurers
of England, trading into Hudson's Bay, and their Successors, that they,
or the greater part of them, whereof the Governor for the Time being,
or his Deputy, to be one, from time to time, and at all Times hereafter,
shall and may have Authority and Power, yearly and every Year, between
the first and last Day of November, to assemble and meet together
in some convenient Place, to be appointed from time to time by the
Governor, or in his Absence by the Deputy of the said Governor for
the Time being, and that they being so assembled, it shall and may be
lawful to and for the said Governor or Deputy of the said Governor,
and the said Company for the Time being, or the greater Part of them
which then shall happen to be present, whereof the Governor of the
said Company, or his Deputy for the Time being to be one, to elect
and nominate one of the said Company, which shall be Governor of the
said Company for one whole Year, then next following, which Person
being so elected and nominated to be Governor of the said Company,
as is aforesaid, before he be admitted to the Execution of the said
Office, shall take a corporal Oath before the last Governor, being his
Predecessor or his Deputy, and any three or more of the Committee of
the said Company for the Time being, that he shall from time to time,
well and truly execute the Office of Governor of the said Company, in all
Things concerning the same; and that immediately after the same Oath so
taken, he shall and may execute and use the said Office of Governor of
the said Company, for one whole Year from thence next following. And in
like Sort We will and grant, That as well every one of the above named
to be of the said Company or Fellowship, as all others hereafter to be
admitted, or free of the said Company, shall take a corporal Oath before
the Governor of the said Company, or his Deputy for the Time being,
to such Effect as by the said Governor and Company, or the greater
part of them, in any publick Court to be held for the said Company,
shall be in reasonable and legal Manner set down and devised, before
they shall be allowed or admitted to trade or traffick as a Freeman
of the said Company. AND FURTHER WE WILL and grant by these Presents,
for Us, Our Heirs and Successors, unto the said Governor and Company,
and their Successors, That the said Governor, or Deputy Governor, and
the rest of the said Company, and their Successors for the Time being,
or the greater Part of them, whereof the Governor or Deputy Governor,
from time to time, to be one, shall and may from time to time, and at
all Times hereafter, have Power and Authority yearly, and every Year,
between the first and last day of November, to assemble and meet together
in some convenient Place, from time to time to be appointed by the
said Governor of the said Company, or in his Absence by his Deputy; and
that they being so assembled, it shall and may be lawful to and for
the said Governor or his Deputy, and the Company for the Time being,
or the greater Part of them, which then shall happen to be present,
whereof the Governor of the said Company, or his Deputy for the Time
being to be one, to elect and nominate Seven of the said Company,
which shall be a Committee of the said Company, for one whole Year
from then next ensuing, which Persons being so elected and nominated
to be a Committee of the said Company as aforesaid, before they be
admitted to the Execution of their Office, shall take a corporal Oath,
before the Governor or his Deputy, and any three or more of the said
Committee of the said Company, being their last Predecessors, that
they, and every of them, shall well and faithfully perform their
said Office of Committees in all Things concerning the same, and that
immediately after the said Oath so taken, they shall and may execute
and use their said Office of Committees of the said Company, for one
whole Year from thence next following. AND MOREOVER, Our "Will and
Pleasure is, and by these Presents, for Us, Our Heirs and Successors,
WE DO GRANT unto the said Governor and Company, and their Successors,
that when, and as often as it shall happen, the Governor or Deputy
Governor of the said Company for the Time being, at any Time within one
Year after that he shall be nominated, elected, and sworn to the Office
of the Governor of the said Company, as is aforesaid, to die or to be
removed from the said Office, which Governor or Deputy Governor not
demeaning himself well in his said Office, WE WILL to be removeable
at the Pleasure of the rest of the said Company, or the greater Part
of them which shall be present at their publick Assemblies, commonly
called, Their General Courts holden for the said Company, that then,
and so often it shall and may be lawful to and for the Residue of the
said Company for the Time being, or the greater Part of them, within a
convenient Time, after the Death or Removing of any such Governor, or
Deputy Governor to assemble themselves in such convenient Place as they
shall think fit, for the Election of the Governor or Deputy Governor
of the said Company; and that the said Company, or the greater Part
of them, being then and there present, shall and may, then and there,
before their Departure from the said Place, elect and nominate one
other of the said Company, to be Governor or Deputy Governor for the
said Company, in the Place and Stead of him that so died or was removed;
which Person being so elected and nominated to the Office of Governor
or Deputy Governor of the said Company, shall have and exercise the
said Office, for and during the Residue of the said Year, taking
first a corporal Oath, as is aforesaid, for the due Execution thereof;
and this to be done from time to time, so often as the Case shall so
require. AND ALSO, Our Will and Pleasure is, and by these Presents,
for Us, Our Heirs and Successors, WE DO grant unto the said Governor
and Company, that when, and as often as it shall happen any Person
or Persons of the Committee of the said Company for the Time being,
at any Time within one Year next after that they or any of them shall
be nominated, elected and sworn to the Office of Committee of the said
Company as is aforesaid, to die or to be removed from the said Office,
which Committees not demeaning themselves well in their said Office, We
will, to be removeable at the Pleasure of the said Governor and Company,
or the greater Part of them, whereof the Governor of the said Company
for the Time being, or his Deputy, to be one; that then, and so often,
it shall and may be lawful to and for the said Governor, and the rest of
the Company for the Time being, or the greater Part of them, whereof the
Governor for the Time being, or his Deputy, to be one, within convenient
Time after the Death or removing of any of the said Committee, to
assemble themselves in such convenient Place as is or shall be usual
and accustomed for the Election of the Governor of the said Company,
or where else the Governor of the said Company for the Time being,
or his Deputy, shall appoint. And that the said Governor and Company,
or the greater part of them, whereof the Governor for the Time being,
or his Deputy, to be one, being then and there present, shall, and may,
then and there, before their Departure from the said Place, elect and
nominate one or more of the said Company, to be of the Committee of the
said Company in the Place and Stead of him or them that so died, or were
or was so removed, which Person or Persons so nominated and elected to
the Office of Committee of the said Company, shall have and exercise
the said Office, for and during the Residue of the said Year, taking
first a corporal Oath as is aforesaid, for the due Execution thereof,
and this to be done from time to time, so often as the Case shall
require. And to the End the said Governor and Company of Adventurers of
England trading into Hudson's Bay, may be encouraged to undertake,
and effectually to prosecute the said design, of Our more especial
Grace, certain Knowledge, the mere Motion, WE HAVE given, granted and
confirmed, and by these Presents, for Us, Our Heirs and Successors, DO
give, grant, and confirm, unto the said Governor and Company, and their
Successors, the sole Trade and Commerce of all those Seas, Streights,
Bays, Rivers, Lakes, Creeks, and Sounds, in whatsoever Latitude they
shall be, that lie within the Entrance of the Streights commonly called
Hudson's Streights, together with all the Lands and Territories upon
the Countries, Coasts and Confines of the Seas, Bays, Lakes, Kivers,
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, with the Fishing of all Sorts of
Fish, Whales, Sturgeons, and all other Royal Fishes, in the Seas, Bays,
Inlets, and Rivers within the Premisses, and the Fish therein taken,
together with the Royalty of the Sea upon the Coasts within the Limits
aforesaid, and all Mines Royal, as well discovered as not discovered,
of Gold, Silver, Gems, and precious Stones, to be found or discovered
within the Territories, Limits, and Places aforesaid, and that the said
Land be from henceforth reckoned and reputed as one of our Plantations
or Colonies in America, called _Ruperts Land_. AND FURTHER, WE DO
by these Presents, for Us, Our Heirs and Successors, make, create and
constitute, the said Governor and Company for the Time being, and their
Successors, the true and absolute Lords and Proprietors, of the same
Territory, Limits and Places aforesaid, and of all other the Premisses,
SAVING ALWAYS, the Faith, Allegiance and Sovereign Dominion due to Us,
our Heirs and Successors, for the same TO HAVE, HOLD, possess and enjoy
the said Territory, Limits, and Places, and all and singular other
the Premisses, hereby granted as aforesaid, with their, and every of
their Rights, Members, Jurisdictions, Prerogatives, Royalties, and
Appurtenances whatsoever, to them the said Governor and Company, and
their Successors for ever, TO BE HOLDEN of Us, Our Heirs and Successors,
as of Our Manor of East Greenwich in our County of Kent, in free and
common Soccage, and not in Capite or by Knight's Service; YEILDING AND
PAYING yearly to Us, Our Heirs and Successors, for the same, two Elks
and two black Beavers, whensoever, and as often as We, Our Heirs and
Successors, shall happen to enter into the said Countries, Territories
and Regions hereby granted. AND FURTHER, Our Will and Pleasure is,
and by these Presents, for Us, Our Heirs and Successors, WE DO grant
unto the said Governor and Company, _and to their Successors, that it
shall and may be_ lawful, to and for the said Governor and Company,
and their Successors, from time to time, to assemble themselves, for or
about any the Matters, Causes, Affairs, or Businesses of the said Trade,
in any Place or Places for the same convenient, within our Dominions or
elsewhere, and there to hold Court for the said Company, and the Affairs
thereof; and that also, it shall and may be lawful to and for them, and
the greater Part of them, being so assembled, and that shall then and
there be present, in any such Place or Places whereof the Governor or
his Deputy for the Time being to be one, to make, ordain, and constitute,
such, and so many reasonable Laws, Constitutions, Orders and Ordinances,
as to them, or the greater part of them being then and there present,
shall seem necessary and convenient for the good Government of the
said Company, and of all Governors of Colonies, Forts and Plantations,
Factors, Masters, Mariners, and other Officers employed or to be
employed, in any of the Territories and Lands aforesaid, and in any
of their Voyages; and for the better Advancement and Continuance of the
said Trade, or Traffic and Plantations, and the same Laws, Constitutions,
Orders and Ordinances so made, to put in Use and execute accordingly,
and at their Pleasure to revoke and alter the same, or any of them, as
the occasion shall require: And that the said Governor and Company,
so often as they shall make, ordain, or establish, any such Laws,
Constitutions, Orders, and Ordinances, in such Form as aforesaid,
shall and may lawfully impose, ordain, limit and provide, such Pains,
Penalties and Punishments upon all Offenders, contrary to such Laws,
Constitutions, Orders and Ordinances, or any of them, as to the said
Governor and Company for the Time being, or the greater Part of them,
then and there being present, the said Governor or his Deputy being
always one, shall seem necessary, requisite, or convenient for the
Observation of the same Laws, Constitutions, Orders and Ordinances;
and the same Fines and Amerciaments shall and may by their Officers
and Servants, from time to time to be appointed for that Purpose levy,
take and have, to the Use of the said Governor and Company, and their
Successors, without the Impediment of Us, Our Heirs or Successors,
or of any the Officers or Ministers of Us, Our Heirs or Successors,
and without any Account therefore to Us, Our Heirs or Successors, to be
made. All and singular which Laws, Constitutions, Orders and Ordinances,
so as aforesaid, to be made, WE WILL to be duly observed and kept under
the Pains and Penalties therein to be contained; so always as the said
Laws, Constitutions, Orders and Ordinances, Pines and Amerciaments,
be reasonable, and not contrary or repugnant, but as near as may be
agreeable to the Laws, Statutes or Customs of this our Realm. AND
FURTHERMORE, of our ample and abundant Grace, certain Knowledge, and
mere Motion, WE HAVE granted, and by these Presents for Us, Our Heirs
and Successors, DO grant unto the said Governor and Company, and
their Successors, that they, and their Successors, and their Factors,
Servants and Agents, for them, and on their Behalf and not otherwise,
shall for ever hereafter have, use and enjoy, not only the whole, entire,
and only Trade and Traffick, and the whole, entire, and only Liberty,
Use and Privilege, of Trading and Trafficking to and from the Territory,
Limits and Places aforesaid; but also the whole and entire Trade and
Traffick to and from all Havens, Bays, Creeks, Rivers, Lakes and Seas,
into which they shall find Entrance or Passage by Water or Land out
of the Territories, Limits or Places, aforesaid; and to and with all
the Natives and People, inhabiting, or which shall inhabit within the
Territories, Limits and Places aforesaid; and to and with all other
Nations inhabiting any the Coasts adjacent to the said Territories,
Limits and Places which are not already possessed as aforesaid, or
whereof the sole Liberty or Privilege of Trade and Traffick is not
granted to any other of Our Subjects. AND WE of our further Royal Favour,
and of Our more especial Grace, certain Knowledge, and mere Motion,
HAVE granted, and by these Presents for Us, Our Heirs and Successors,
DO grant to the said Governor and Company, and to their Successors,
that neither the said Territories, Limits and Places, hereby granted
as aforesaid, nor any Part thereof, nor the Islands, Havens, Ports,
Cities, Towns or Places, thereof, or therein contained, shall be
visited, frequented or haunted, by any of the Subjects of Us, Our
Heirs or Successors, contrary to the true Meaning of these Presents,
and by Virtue of Our Prerogative Royal, which We will not have in that
Behalf argued or brought into Question; WE STREIGHTLY charge, command
and prohibit, for Us, Our Heirs and Successors, all the Subjects of Us,
Our Heirs and Successors, of what Degree or Quality soever they be,
that none of them directly or indirectly, do visit, haunt, frequent
or trade, traffic or adventure, by way of Merchandize, into, or from
any the said Territories, Limits or Places, hereby granted, or any,
or either of them, other than the said Governor and Company, and such
particular Persons as now be, or hereafter shall be, of that Company,
their Agents, Factors, and Assigns, unless it be by the Licence and
Agreement of the said Governor and Company in Writing first had and
obtained, under their Common Seal, to be granted, upon Pain that every
such Person or Persons that shall trade or traffick into or from any
of the Countries, Territories or Limits aforesaid, other than the said
Governor and Company, and their Successors, shall incur our Indignation,
and the Forfeiture, and the Loss of the Goods, Merchandizes, and other
Things whatsoever, which so shall be brought into this Realm of England,
or any the Dominions of the same, contrary to our said Prohibition,
or the Purport or true Meaning of these Presents, for which the said
Governor and Company shall find, take and seize, in other Places out
of our Dominions, where the said Company, their Agents, Factors or
Ministers, shall trade, traffick or inhabit, by Virtue of these Our
Letters Patent, as also the Ship and Ships, with the Furniture thereof,
wherein such Goods, Merchandizes, and other Things, shall be brought and
found, the one Half of all the said Forfeitures to be to Us, Our Heirs
and Successors, and the other Half thereof WE DO by these Presents
clearly and wholly for Us, Our Heirs and Successors, give and grant
unto the said Governor and Company, and their Successors. AND FURTHER,
all and every the said Offenders, for their said Contempt, to suffer
such other Punishment as to Us, Our Heirs and Successors, for so high
a Contempt, shall seem meet and convenient, and not to be in anywise
delivered until they, and every of them, shall become bound unto the
said Governor for the time being in the Sum of One Thousand Pounds
at the least, at no time then after to trade or traffick into any of
the said Places, Seas, Streights, Bays, Ports, Havens or Territories,
aforesaid, contrary to our express Commandment in that Behalf set
down and published. AND FURTHER, of Our more especial Grace, WE HAVE
condescended and granted, and by these Presents for Us, Our Heirs and
Successors, DO grant unto the said Governor and Company, and their
Successors, that We, Our Heirs and Successors, will not grant Liberty,
Licence, or Power, to any Person or Persons whatsoever, contrary to
the Tenor of these Our Letters Patent, to trade, traffick or inhabit,
unto or upon any the Territories, Limits or Places, afore specified,
contrary to the true Meaning of these Presents, without the Consent
of the said Governor and Company, or the most part of them. AND, OF Our
more abundant Grace and Favour to the said Governor and Company, WE DO
hereby declare Our Will and Pleasure to be, That if it shall so happen,
that any of the Persons free, or to be free of the said Company of
Adventurers of England trading into Hudson's Bay, who shall, before the
going forth of any Ship or Ships appointed for a VOYAGE, or otherwise,
promise or agree by Writing under his or their Hands, to adventure
any Sum or Sums of Money, towards the furnishing any Provision, or
Maintenance of any Voyage or Voyages, set forth, or to be set forth, or
intended or meant to be set forth, by the said Governor and Company, or
the more Part of them present at any publick Assembly, commonly called
Their General Court, shall not within the Space of twenty Days next
after Warning given to him or them, by the said Governor or Company, or
their known Officer or Minister, bring in and deliver to the Treasurer or
Treasurers appointed for the Company, such Sums of Money as shall have
been expressed and set down in Writing, by the said Person or Persons,
subscribed with the Name of said Adventurer or Adventurers, that then,
and at all Times after, it shall and may be lawful to and for the said
Governor and Company, or the more Part of them present, whereof the
said Governor or his Deputy to be one, at any of their General Courts
or General Assemblies, to remove and disfranchise him or them, and
every such Person and Persons at their Wills and Pleasures, and he or
they so removed and disfranchised, not to be permitted to trade into
the Countries, Territories, and Limits aforesaid, or any Part thereof,
nor to have any Adventure or Stock going or remaining with or amongst
the said Company, without the special Licence of the said Governor and
Company, or the more Part of them present at any General Court, first had
and obtained in that Behalf, any Thing before in these Presents to the
contrary thereof in anywise notwithstanding. AND OUR WILL AND PLEASURE
is, and hereby we do also ordain, That it shall and may be lawful,
to and for the said Governor and Company, or the greater Part of them,
whereof the Governor for the Time being, or his Deputy to be one, to
admit into, and to be of the said Company, all such Servants or Factors,
of or for the said Company, and all such others, as to them, or the
most Part of them present, at any Court held for the said Company,
the Governor or his Deputy being one, shall be thought fit and agreeable
with the Orders and Ordinances made and to be made for the Government
of the said Company. AND FURTHER, Our Will and Pleasure is, and by these
Presents, for Us, Our Heirs and Successors, WE DO grant unto the said
Governor and Company, and to their Successors, that it shall and may be
lawful in all Elections, and Bye-laws to be made by the General Court
of the Adventurers of the said Company, that every Person shall have
a number of Votes according to his Stock, that is to say, for every
hundred Pounds by him subscribed or brought into the present Stock, one
Vote, and that any of those that have subscribed less than one hundred
Pounds, may join their respective Sums to make up one hundred Pounds,
and have one Vote jointly for the same, and not otherwise. AND FURTHER,
Of Our especial Grace, certain Knowledge, and mere Motion, WE DO for Us,
Our Heirs and Successors, grant to and with the said Governor and Company
of Adventurers of England trading into Hudson's Bay, that all Lands,
Islands, Territories, Plantations, Forts, Fortifications, Factories, or
Colonies, where the said Company's Factories and Trade are or shall be,
within any the Ports or Places afore limited, shall be immediately and
from henceforth, under the Power and Command of the said Governor and
Company, their Successors and Assigns; saving the Faith and Allegiance
due to be performed to Us, Our Heirs and Successors aforesaid; and
that the said Governor and Company shall have Liberty, full Power and
Authority, to appoint and establish Governors, and all other Officers
to govern them, and that the Governor and his Council of the several and
respective Places where the said Company shall have Plantations, Forts,
Factories, Colonies, or Places of Trade within any the Countries, Lands
or Territories hereby granted, may have Power to judge all Persons
belonging to the said Governor and Company, or that shall live under
them, in all Causes, whether Civil or Criminal, according to the Laws
of this Kingdom, and to execute Justice accordingly. And, in Case any
Crime or Misdemeanor shall be committed in any of the said Company's
Plantations, Forts, Factories, or Places of Trade within the Limits
aforesaid, where Judicature cannot be executed for want of a Governor
and Council there, then in such Case it shall and may be lawful for
the chief Factor of that Place and his Council, to transmit the
Party, together with the Offence, to such other Plantation, Factory,
or Fort, where there shall be a Governor and Council, where Justice may
be executed, or into this Kingdom of England, as shall be thought
most convenient, there to receive such Punishment as the Nature of
his Offence shall deserve. AND MOREOVER, Our Will and Pleasure is,
and by these Presents, for Us, Our Heirs and Successors, WE DO GIVE
and grant unto the said Governor and Company, and their Successors,
free Liberty and Licence, in case they conceive it necessary, to send
either Ships of War, Men or Ammunition, unto any their Plantations,
Forts, Factories, or Places of Trade aforesaid, for the Security and
Defence of the same, and to choose Commanders and Officers over them,
and to give them Power and Authority, by Commission under their Common
Seal or otherwise, to continue or make Peace or War with any Prince
or People whatsoever, that are not Christians, in any Places where
the said Company shall have any Plantations, Forts or Factories, or
adjacent thereunto, as shall be most for the Advantage and Benefit of
the said Governor and Company, and of their Trade; and also to right
and recompense themselves upon the Goods, Estates or People of those
Parts, by whom the said Governor and Company shall sustain any Injury,
Loss, or Damage, or upon any other People whatsoever that shall any
Way, contrary to the Intent of these Presents, interrupt, wrong or
injure them in their said Trade, within the said Places, Territories,
and Limits, granted by this Charter. And that it shall and may be lawful
to and for the said Governor and Company, and their Successors, from
time to time, and at all Times from henceforth, to erect and build such
Castles, Fortifications, Forts, Garrisons, Colonies or Plantations,
Towns or Villages, in any Parts or Places within the Limits and Bounds
granted before in these Presents, unto the said Governor and Company,
as they in their Discretion shall think fit and requisite, and for
the Supply of such as shall be needful and convenient, to keep and be
in the same, to send out of this Kingdom, to the said Castles, Forts,
Fortifications, Garrisons, Colonies, Plantations, Towns or Villages, all
Kinds of Cloathing, Provision of Victuals, Ammunition, and Implements,
necessary for such Purpose, paying the Duties and Customs for the same,
as also to transport and carry over such Number of Men being willing
thereunto, or not prohibited, as they shall think fit, and also to
govern them in such legal and reasonable Manner as the said Governor and
Company shall think best, and to inflict Punishment for Misdemeanors,
or impose such Fines upon them for Breach of their Orders, as in these
Presents are formerly expressed. AND FURTHER, Our Will and Pleasure is,
and by these Presents, for Us, Our Heirs and Successors, WE DO grant
unto the said Governor and Company, and to their Successors, full Power
and lawful Authority to seize upon the Persons of all such English,
or any other Our Subjects, which shall sail into Hudson's Bay, or
inhabit in any of the Countries, Islands or Territories hereby granted
to the said Governor and Company, without their Leave and License in
that Behalf first had and obtained, or that shall contemn or disobey
their Orders, and send them to England; and that all and every Person
or Persons, being Our Subjects, any ways employed by the said Governor
and Company, within any of the Parts, Places, and Limits aforesaid,
shall be liable unto and suffer such Punishment for any Offences by
them committed in the Parts aforesaid, as the President and Council
for the said Governor and Company there shall think fit, and the Merit
of the Offence shall require, as aforesaid; and in case any Person
or Persons being convicted and sentenced by the President and Council
of the said Governor and Company, in the Countries, Lands, or Limits
aforesaid, their Factors or Agents there, for any Offence by them done,
shall appeal from the same; that then and in such Case, it shall and
may be lawful to and for the said President and Council, Factors,
or Agents, to seize upon him or them, and to carry him or them home
Prisoners into England, to the said Governor and Company, there to
receive such condign Punishment as his Cause shall require, and
the Law of this Nation allow of: and for the better Discovery of
Abuses and Injuries to be done unto the said Governor and Company,
or their Successors, by any Servant by them to be employed in the
said Voyages and Plantations, it shall and may be lawful to and for
the said Governor and Company, and their respective President, Chief
Agent or Governor in the Parts aforesaid, to examine upon Oath all
Factors, Masters, Pursers, Supercargoes, Commanders of Castles, Forts,
Fortifications, Plantations or Colonies, or other Persons, touching or
concerning any Matter or Thing, in which by Law or Usage an Oath may
be administered, so as the said Oath, and the Matter therein contained,
be not repugnant, but agreeable to the laws of this Realm. AND, WE DO
hereby streightly charge and command all and singular, our Admirals,
Vice-Admirals, Justices, Mayors, Sheriffs, Constables, Bailiffs, and
all and singular other our Officers, Ministers, Liege Men and Subjects
whatsoever, to be aiding, favouring, helping and assisting, to the said
Governor and Company, and to their Successors, and to their Deputies,
Officers, Factors, Servants, Assigns and Ministers, and every of them,
in executing and enjoying the Premisses, as well on Land as on Sea,
from time to time, when any of you shall thereunto be required; ANY
STATUTE, Act, Ordinance, Proviso, Proclamation, or Restraint heretofore
had, made, set forth, ordained, or provided, or any other Matter,
Cause or Thing whatsoever to the contrary in any wise notwithstanding,
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, we have caused these Our Letters to be made Patent;
WITNESS OURSELF at Westminster, the Second Day of May, in the Two and
Twentieth Year of Our Reign.