Charter of Merchant Rights for Aleksandr Bergessøn
Penn, by the authority of the Crown of Ealdormere, Baron Ramshaven, and Lucia, by the same authority Baroness Ramshaven, to all people to whom these presents shall come, greetings.
Whereas We find that it will considerably add to the welfare of Our barony and of Our subjects that the commerce, trades, and navigation in Our lands and territories should grow, be increased, and improved by all suitable means; and whereas by the reports of experienced and trustworthy gentles we have received reliable and certain intelligence that there are situated by the waters of the Inland Seas many rich countries and islands with which it will not only be possible to carry on a valuable commerce from Our barony, but it is also most likely that the said people may likewise be made to know the glory and might of Our barony by the mutual intercourse and trade.
Therefore, we have as far as in Our power concluded that the advantages, profits, and welfare of Our barony and faithful subjects will be much improved and increased by the discovery of new commercial relations and navigation; and We understand that our well-beloved subject, Lord Aleksandr Bergessøn, has made large advances and investments towards commercial ventures. Thus by Our will We have given and granted unto Lord Aleksandr and to his heirs the proper permissions to raise and maintain a merchant vessel, crew, and means of defence for such vessel and crew. We also extend the following privileges:
That first, during the time of twelves months none of Our subjects and inhabitants of Our lands shall be allowed to sail and trade in anybody but Lord Aleksandr's name and behalf North of Cove Island, or Westward to Saginaw Bay or the Straits of Mackinac, while the ships and goods of all who have dared to trade there without Our and this consent and permission shall be confiscated;
That second, he be exempt from payment of all duties on all goods which he imports to or exports from Our barony and territories, and that he shall have permission to export and pass the said goods through Our customs offices as often as it may be necessary without paying further duties;
That third, We take his concern as a ward into Our protection, promising to defend and guard with the power of Our barony in free commerce and navigation against all and everybody in special who should hinder and damage him in his good and lawful undertaking; and if any violence should be made against him, We will come to his assistance and relief as the occasion may require and the circumstances of Our barony and the Kingdom of Ealdormere will allow;
That fourth, We will not take, nor have taken by any means into Our or Our barony's service his ship, nor any ordnance, ammunition, money, goods, or merchandises, unless it may be done with the free, thorough, and joyous consent and approval of Lord Aleksandr;
That fifth, We give him full authority, consent, and command to treat pirates and declare enemies, who want to damage him in his trade by force, as disturbers of the public peace; and he shall take, punish, and proceed against them in the same manner as it is usually done.
As compensation for all these advantages, assistance, franchises, and privileges, We decree that Lord Aleksandr provide the sale of the goods and produce of foreign lands to Us, Our heirs, and Our subjects before the sale of such goods to other lands. We further charge that he must advise Us and Our officers at once of all news and communications which they receive from foreign lands, so that We may know how to arrange and direct our affairs accordingly.
Done this 14th Day of July, Anno Societatis LIII, as we hold court in the Great Hall of Northgaetham, at the Fifth Baron's Brouhaha, whereof we place our hands and seal.
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