Swedish East India Company / SOIC

  • Corporation
  • Regular
  • Trading
    Trading
  • Transport
    Transport
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Aut viam inveniam aut faciam.

I shall either find a way or make one.

History Manifesto Charter

History

The Swedish East India Company (Swedish: Svenska Ostindiska Companiet or SOIC) was founded in Gothenburg, Sweden, in 1731 for the purpose of conducting trade with the Far East. The venture was inspired by the success of the Dutch East India Company and the British East India Company and grew to become the largest trading company in Sweden during the 18th century.

Manifesto

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Charter

The Royal Privileges of the Swedish East India Company, granted by Royal Charter to Henrik König on 14 June 1731.

  1. The company will have the right to all trade and shipping east of the Cape of Good Hope as far as Japan excepting the port factories of other European nations, unless free consent had been obtained in advance.
  2. All departures and arrivals will be out of Gothenburg, and cargo is to be auctioned promptly in Gothenburg on arrival.
  3. The Swedish state is to receive 100 riksdaler per läst (c. 2.5 tonnes) and two riksdaler per läst to the city of Gothenburg, on each shipment, plus taxes.
  4. The company can use as many vessels it wants, but they are to be built and outfitted in Sweden unless something occurred that made is necessary to buy material from other countries.
  5. The ships are to fly the Swedish flag and carry Swedish ships’ papers.
  6. The company is free to use as much money as needed for the expeditions and were entitled to issue shares to finance the venture.
  7. The company is forbidden to bring Swedish coined silver in or out of the country. They were however allowed to trade with any other kind of silver.
  8. Once the ships are loaded for departure and when they returned, they were free to enter any port in Sweden.
  9. All the equipment, armament goods and stores needed for the company are exempted from Swedish customs.
  10. Goods from the ships are considered prioritized, and can be transported or stored toll-free on any road or in any town.
  11. The company’s officers will have the same authority as Swedish naval officers.
  12. The crew were exempted from service in the Swedish military.
  13. The company’s officers had the right to arrest and detain anyone in the crew who tried to desert or run away.
  14. When the cargo from the ships had been sold, the buyers should not have to pay any extra fees for the goods.
  15. The board of the company should always consist of at least three directors.
  16. The company was free to employ as many men needed for the ships. They could be Swedes or foreigners, as long as they were the most skilled.
  17. The company had the right to defend itself, to “oppose force with force”.
  18. The company was enjoined to maintain secrecy on finances and shareholders.