Excerpts from the Charter of the Dutch West India
Company, 1621
This
charter was issued by the government of the Netherlands to form a
joint stock company funded by private investors, which both would
be guaranteed a monopoly on trade with Asia and be defended by the
Dutch state. Along with the similarly organized English East India
Company, the DWI Co. established a model for alliance between
government and capital in the early modern period.
Be it known, that we knowing the prosperity of these countries,
and the welfare of their inhabitants depends principally on
navigation and trade, which in all former times by the said
Countries were carried on happily, and with a great blessing to
all countries and kingdoms; and desiring that the aforesaid
inhabitants should not only be preserved in their former
navigation, traffic, and trade, but also that their trade may be
encreased as much as possible in special conformity to the
treaties, alliances, leagues and covenants for traffic and
navigation formerly made with other princes, republics and people,
which we give them to understand must be in. all parts punctually
kept and adhered to: And we find by experience, that without the
common help, assistance, and interposition of a General Company,
the people designed from hence for those parts cannot be
profitably protected and mantained in their great risque from
pirates, extortion and otherwise, which will happen in so very
long a voyage. We have, therefore, and for several other important
reasons and considerations as thereunto moving, with mature
deliberation of counsel, and for highly necessary causes, found it
good, that the navigation, trade, and commerce, in the parts of
the West-Indies, and Africa, and other places hereafter described,
should not henceforth be carried on any otherwise than by the
common united strength of the merchants and inhabitants of these
countries; and for that end there shall be erected one General
Company, which we out of special regard to their common
well-being, and to keep and preserve the inhabitants of those
places in good trade and welfare, will maintain and strengthen
with our Help, Favour and assistance as far as the present state
and condition of this Country will admit: and moreover furnish
them with a proper Charter, and with the following Priveleges and
Exemptions, to wit, That for the Term of four and twenty Years,
none of the Natives or Inhabitants of these countries shall be
permitted to sail to or from the said lands, or to traffic on the
coast and countries of Africa from the Tropic of Cancer to the
Cape of Good Hope, nor in the countries of America, or the
West-Indies, beginning at the fourth end of Terra Nova, by the
streights of Magellan, La Maire, or any other streights and
passages situated thereabouts to the straights of Anian, as well
on the north sea as the south sea, nor on any islands situated on
the one side or the other, or between both; nor in the western or
southern countries reaching, lying, and between both the
meridians, from the Cape of Good Hope, in the East, to the east
end of New Guinea, in the West, inclusive, but in the Name of this
United Company of these United Netherlands. . . .
II. That, moreover, the aforesaid Company may, in our name and
authority, within the limits herein before prescribed, make
contracts, engagements and alliances with the limits herein before
prescribed, make contracts, engagements and alliances with the
princes and natives of the countries comprehended therein, and
also build any forts and fortifications there, to appoint and
discharge Governors, people for war, and officers of justice, and
other public officers, for the preservation of the places, keeping
good order, police and justice, and in like manner for the
promoting of trade; and again, others in their place to put, as
they from the situation of their affairs shall see fit: Moreover,
they must advance the peopling of those fruitful and unsettled
parts, and do all that the service of those countries, and the
profit and increase of trade shall require: and the Company shall
successively communicate and transmit to us such contracts and
alliances as they shall have made with the aforesaid princes and
nations; and likewise the situation of the fortresses,
fortifications, and settlements by them taken. . . .
***
V. And if it should be necessary for the establishment, security
and defence of this trade, to take any troops with them, we will,
according to the constitution of this country, and the situation
of affairs furnish the said Company with such troops, provided
they be paid and supported by the Company.
VI. Which troops, besides the oath already taken to us and to his
excellency, shall swear to obey the commands of the said Company,
and to endeavour to promote their interest to the utmost of their
ability.
VII. That the provosts of the Company on shore may apprehend any
of the military, that have inlisted in the service of the
aforesaid company, and may confine them on board the ships in
whatever city, place, or jurisdiction they may be found; provided,
the provosts first inform the officers and magistrates of the
cities and places where this happens.
VIII. That we will not take any ships, ordnance, or ammunition
belonging to the company, for the use of this country, without the
consent of the said company.
IX. We have moreover incorporated this company, and favoured them
with privileges, and we give them a charter besides this, that
they may pass freely with all their ships and goods without paying
any toll to the United Provinces; and that they themselves may use
their liberty in the same manner as the free inhabitants of the
cities of this country enjoy their freedom, notwithstanding any
person who is not free may be a member of this company. . . .
***
XXXIX. We have moreover promised and do promise, that we will
defend this Company against every person in free navigation and
traffic, and assist them with a million of Builders, to be paid in
five years, whereof the first two hundred thousand guilders shall
be paid them when the first payment shall be made by the members;
Provided that we, with half the aforesaid million of Builders,
shall receive and bear profit and risque in the same manner as the
other members of this Company shall.
XL. And if by a violent and continued interruption of the
aforesaid navigation and traffic, the business within the limits
of their Company shall be brought to an open war, we will, if the
situation of this country will in any wise admit of it, give them
for their assistance sixteen ships of war, the least one hundred
and fifty lasts burthen; with four good well sailing yachts, the
least, forty lasts burthen, which shall be properly mounted and
provided in all respects, both with brass and other cannon, and a
proper quantity of ammunition, together with double suits of
running and standing rigging, sails, cables, anchors, and other
things thereto belonging, such as are proper to be provided and
used in all great expeditions; upon condition, that they shall be
manned, victualled, and supported at the expense of the Company,
and that the Company shall be obliged to add thereto sixteen like
ships of war, and four yachts, mounted and provided as above, to
be used in like manner for the defence of trade and all exploits
of war: Provided that all the ships of war and merchant-men (that
shall be with those provided and manned as aforesaid) shall be
under an admiral appointed by us according to the previous advise
of the aforesaid General Company, and shall obey our commands,
together with the resolutions of the Company, if it shall be
necessary, in the same manner as in time of war; so
notwithstanding that the merchantmen shall not unnecessarily
hazard their lading. . . .
Source:
https://avalon.law.yale.edu/17th_century/westind.asp