Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-01-24
THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY.


Charter of the Royai African Company-The
Papers Of Nathaniel Macon of North Caro-
nna-PrIntipg in Virginia In 1852. &C.. Sc.
a meeting of the Executive Commit
tee Of the Virginia Historical Society
was held in the rooms Of the Society
in the Westmoreland Clubhouse Fri
day eyening-present: Messrs. Henry
lin the chair, Valentine, Cottrell, and
Brock corresponding secretary.
A long list of gifts of books, relics,
and manuscripts was reported, among
the last highly-interesting document
from George Fortunatus Judah, ESQ.,,
Searcher Of Records, Spanish Town.
Jamaica, British West Indies; hand
somely-engrossed copy Of the Royal
Charter granted by King Charles H.,
September q, 1868, to the Royal Afri-
can Company, the named head of which
was Tour dearest Brother James, Duke
of York, " and associated with him were
numerous "Adyenturers," of varied
degree, presenting many names now
familiar in Virginia. The Royal Afri-
can Company-the executive of which
consisted Of a Governor manned in the
charter as the Duke of York, a sub
Governor, deputy Governor, and
Council Of twenty-four members,
to hold office for year, and
to be elected annually thereafter
was the successor Of a preceding mo-
nopoly (which had come to proftlesS
grief of " Letters Patent dated Janu-
airy 10, 1862, granted "unto our Con-
sort Queen Katherine Mary, the Queen
our Mother (since dcceased), our dearest
Brother James, Duke of York, and |
Others" as the " Royal Adventures Of !
England trading into Africa" and was
empowered to trade solely to and with
- all and singular the Regions, Coun-
trys, Dominions, Territories, Cont
nents, Coasts and places now or at any !
time hereafter called or known by the
name or names Of Guinney Buyney, and
Angola, and South Barbary," given alb
solute government over the same, coast
and interior; authorized to make laws,
raise and train armies, and to exercise
= Marshall Law" being subject only to
payment Of the legal customs for i'm
porting into the British Dominions. and
- the rendering to US, our heirs and
two elephants whenever we,
Dur heirs and successors, or any Of
hem, shall arrive, land, or come into
the places mentioned" Said do
etc., shall not be visited,
requented, or traded with by any other
If our subjects we hereby pro-
libit" them " directly and indirect
y" from so visiting, trading, or traf-
icing in or importing "gold, silver,
ed wood, elephants teeth, negro slares,
lydes, wax, gums, graynes, or any
'ther the commodities of the said coun-
ry."
1.-The said company to have and use
common seal engrayen and set forth
n manner and form following (that is
o say) on the one side the image Of
ur royal persons in our Parliament
nd royal robes, and the other side an
lephant, bearing castle supported by
wo negroes or black Moores."
So profitable to the Royal African
company did the traffic in slaves be-
ONE that when the supply in the Bri-
lsh American Colonies became greater
han could be proftably employed their
Importation was persisted in, notably in
'irginia, despite OF most strenuous re-
lonstrance from the Virginia Assembly,
Ihich body indeed levied an impost at
everal times, varying from el to e20
n each negro imported into the Colony,
ut the enactments were negatived by
10 British Board Of Trade; and it is
mply evidenced that the American
)lonists were poWerless 10 prevent the |