F. N.
"Merchant Adventurers" (Vol. v., p. 276.).
—C. I. P. will find an account in Mortimer under the head "Of Commerce," &c., vol. ii. p. 164. et seq. It refers to Cabot's scheme, as also Chancellor's: the first charter of incorporation was granted 2 Phil. & Ma. (Feb. 6, 1554) by the name of "The Merchants Adventurers for the Discoveries of Lands, Countries, Isles, &c. not before known or frequented by the English," &c. In the year 1560, 2 Eliz., her charter confirmed all former charters and privileges to "the Company of Merchant Adventurers of England," and likewise granted them two ample charters, one in the sixth, the other in the twenty-eighth of her reign. In the former of the latter they are specially designated by Eliz. as "Merchant Adventurers."
[There are other particulars in connexion with them which I do not send you, reference being easy of access.]
J. EBFF.
Bolt Court, Fleet Street.
Anderson's History of the Origin of Commerce, 2 vols., London, 1764, contains some information on the subject of this Company, whose title was that of "Merchant Adventurers," and whose trade was chiefly with the Netherlands.
In 1604, James I., after concluding a treaty of peace and commerce with Spain, incorporated a company of merchants for an exclusive trade to Spain and Portugal; but this monopoly being found prejudicial to commerce, in the following year the patent was revoked by act of parliament.
If C. I. P. has not access to Anderson, and will communicate his address, I shall be happy to give him any information in my power on this subject.
BROCTUNA.