increase his power and add lustre to his name. The
commercial and historic advantages of prosperous
northeastern possessions were artfully instilled. At
the opportune moment Rezanov laid before him a
scheme, mature in every detail, for a great com-
pany that would add to the wealth of Russia, and
convince Europe of the sound commercial sense and
immortal wisdom of its sovereign. Without more
ado he obtained his charter.

This momentous instrument granted to the "Rus-
sian-American Company under our Highest Protec-
tion," "full privileges, for a period of twenty years
on the coast of northwestern America, beginning
from latitude 55 degrees north, and including the
chain of islands extending from Kamchatka north-
ward, and southward to Japan; the exclusive right
to all enterprises, whether hunting, trading, or build-
ing, and to new discoveries; with strict prohibition
from profiting from any of these pursuits, not only
to all parties who might engage in them on their
own responsibility, but also to those who formerly
had ships and establishments there, except those who
have united with the new Company." All private
traders who refused to join the Company were to
be allowed to sell their property and depart in
peace.

Thus was formed the first of the Trusts in
America; and the United States never has had so