Charter of the Southern Imperial Trade Company

[drtrollado 267]

 

 

 

CHARTER OF

THE SOUTHERN IMPERIAL TRADE COMPANY

 

Issued on 271, Second Age

 

PREAMBLE

I, the Merchant-Master of The Imperial Business Association, in collaboration with the associates and officers of the same entity, do hereby establish and adopt this Constitution for the orderly governance, management, and regulation of the affairs of the The Southern Imperial Trade Company (known thereafter as “the Southern Company”).

This Charter is drafted, granted, and proclaimed by the Imperial Business Association in the manner of ancient and honorable chartered companies, for the advancement of commerce, profit, and imperial interest in the Southern regions and in all lands and seas thereto adjoining or accessible.

 

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First Article 

Of the Name, Style, and Seal

The trading body herein constituted shall be styled The Southern Imperial Trade Company, commonly called The Southern Company.

The Southern Company shall bear and use a Common Seal, engraved with its name and such arms, devices, or symbols as the Governor-General shall approve, by which seal all deeds, contracts, and public instruments of The Southern Company may be ratified.

 

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Second Article

Of the Purpose and Ends

The Southern Company is founded for the discovery, opening, maintenance, and governance of trade in goods and commodities of all kinds.

Its ends shall include:

• The buying, selling, bartering, importing, and exporting of wares, spices, metals, textiles, victuals, and all other merchandise;
• The founding and maintenance of manufactories, comptoirs, warehouses, ports, roads, and stations of trade;
• The dispatch, arming, provisioning, and chartering of ships, caravans, convoys and guardsmen;
• The making of compacts, leagues, and treaties of commerce with princes, governors, cities, and peoples;

All acts incidental or necessary to the increase of trade, dominion of commerce, and profit.

 

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Third Article

Of the Term

The Southern Company shall endure in perpetuity, unless lawfully dissolved according to the provisions herein.

 

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Fourth Article

Of the Powers and Privileges

The Southern Company shall have power to:

• Acquire, hold, improve, lease, and alienate lands, buildings, ships, and goods;
• Raise capital by subscription, shares, ventures, or other instruments customarily used by chartered companies;
• Appoint factors, agents, captains, clerks, soldiers, and servants;
• Levy duties, fees, and charges upon its trade, where lawful or granted by privilege;

Where granted by lawful authority, The Southern Company may enjoy exclusive or preferential rights of trade within certain regions.

 

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Fifth Article

Of the Governor-General

The supreme executive authority of The Southern Company shall be vested wholly in a Governor-General, whose office is hereby constituted by the Imperial Business Association.

The Governor-General shall:

• Command, govern, and direct all civil, military, and commercial affairs of The Southern Company;
• Represent The Southern Company before sovereign powers, magistrates, and foreign princes;
• Appoint, suspend, or dismiss all officers, factors, captains, and servants of The Southern Company;
• Command the ships, forts, stations, and trading posts of The Southern Company, either personally or by deputy;
• Issue ordinances, instructions, and regulations binding upon all persons in the service of The Southern Company;
• Exercise all powers not expressly reserved by this Charter to the Founding Authority.

The lawful acts of the Governor-General, done in the name and service of The Southern Company, shall bind The Southern Company in all matters.

 

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Sixth Article

Of the Advisory Council

There shall be constituted a Council of Officers, serving solely in an advisory and consultative capacity.

The Council shall be appointed by, and serve at the pleasure of, the Governor-General.

The Council shall:

• Offer counsel and advice on matters of trade, finance, diplomacy, and governance;
• Review accounts, reports, and undertakings when commanded to do so;
• Present remonstrance or opinion, which the Governor-General may accept or disregard at his sole discretion.

The Council shall possess no executive, legislative, or coercive authority unless expressly delegated by the Governor-General.

 

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Seventh Article

Of the Officers and Servants

The officers and servants of The Southern Company shall be constituted chiefly in a militaristic and disciplined manner, suitable to the defense, enforcement, and advancement of trade.

The principal officers shall include:

• A Marshal of the Company, charged with overall command of armed forces, discipline, and security;
• A Treasurer of War and Trade, charged with monies, pay, spoils, accounts, and provisioning;.

Subordinate officers and servants shall include captains, lieutenants, ensigns, sergeants, gunners, sailors, guards, scouts, clerks of muster and supply, and such other ranks as the Governor-General shall ordain.

All officers and servants shall be bound by oath to loyalty, obedience, and martial discipline, and shall be subject to command, punishment, and reward according to the ordinances of The Southern Company and its Governor-General.

 

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Eighth Article

Of the Capital, Revenues, and Profits

The stock and capital of The Southern Company shall be raised, increased, and ordered according to such ventures and subscriptions as the Governor-General shall approve.

Profits shall be divided among shareholders, patrons, and adventurers according to their interest, after the setting aside of charges, reserves, and reinvestment.

True and orderly books of account shall be kept and rendered for inspection as commanded by authority.

 

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Ninth Article

Of the Conduct and Obligations

The Southern Company and all persons in its service shall conduct themselves with fidelity, discipline, and due respect for the laws and customs of the lands wherein they trade.

Fraud, mutiny, private trading without leave, and abuse of authority shall be punished according to the ordinances of The Southern Company and its Governor-General.

The Southern Company shall answer for the acts of its servants done in its name and service.

 

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Tenth Article 

Of the Amendments and Reservation of Authority

This Charter may be amended or interpreted by decree of the Imperial Business Association, or by the Governor-General acting with its leave.

No amendment shall overthrow the fundamental purposes of trade and governance herein declared.

 

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Eleventh Article

Of the Dissolution

The Southern Company may be dissolved by decree of the Imperial Business Association or by lawful necessity.

Upon dissolution, debts shall be satisfied and remaining assets distributed according to right, custom, and the claims of patrons.

 

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First Addendum

Of the Initial Private Subscription

Be it further declared that the Imperial Business Association, being the Founder and Creating Authority of The Southern Company, does hereby commit and inject the sum of Two Thousand (2,000) Minas for the upstarting, provisioning, and first setting in motion of the works of The Southern Company.

Said sum of Two Thousand Minas shall constitute the initial capital of The Southern Company and shall be placed at the full disposal of the Governor-General.

The Governor-General shall have authority to apply said funds toward ships, caravans, wages, stores, houses of trade, goods, provisions, arms, and all other necessities of the first ventures of The Southern Company.

By virtue of this subscription, the Imperial Business Association shall be recognized as Principal Patron of The Southern Company, enjoying precedence, honor, and profit as may be accorded by custom and ordinance, without prejudice to the supreme executive authority of the Governor-General.

This Addendum shall be held as equal in force to the foregoing Articles and read as one body therewith.

 

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Second Addendum

Of the First Governor-General

Be it further declared, ordained, and confirmed by the Imperial Business Association that Gennad var Vigo is hereby named, constituted, and established as the First Governor-General of The Southern Company.

Gennad var Vigo shall, from the moment of proclamation of this Addendum, assume all powers, dignities, authorities, and obligations of the office of Governor-General as set forth in the foregoing Articles of this Charter.

His authority shall be full and entire, extending over all officers, factors, servants, ships, stations, goods, and ventures of The Southern Company.

He shall hold said office according to the terms of this Charter and subject only to the superior authority of the Imperial Business Association.

This Addendum shall be held as equal in force to the Articles of the Charter and to Addendum I, and shall be read and enforced as one body therewith.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Imperial Business Association does hereby grant, seal, and proclaim this Charter of The Southern Imperial Trade Company, together with the foregoing Addenda, binding the Governor-General, all officers, servants, and successors of The Southern Company to its terms.

 

 

 

“DEFICIT DELENDA EST”

 

Penned and Signed by,

Franz Arthur,

Merchant-Master of the Imperial Business Association

 

 

Sebastien Jean-Chastel,

Merchant-Warden of the Imperial Business Association

 

Gennad var Vigo,

First Governor-General of the Southern Imperial Trade Company

 

Edited February 5 by drtrollado

[Publius 4098]

“Goodness, you know - our Imperial partners, they can read this!” Gennad said nervously to his consigliere, who read for this illiterate man. “Hrmm… Well, I am striking the deals…”

[Starfelt 1437]

Sébastien Jean Chastel read the charter slowly, the seal of the Imperial Business Association lending familiar weight to every page. When he finally lowered it, there was no hesitation in his approval. “This is the Association acting with purpose,” he said, voice calm but assured. “Not merely opening trade, but giving it structure and direction.”

He inclined his head slightly, already thinking ahead. “If guided with care, the Southern Company will strengthen Imperial commerce and carry that prosperity back to the capital. Rittersburg will feel its influence, and so will every merchant who stands beneath the IBA’s standard.”

[Anbennar 2351]

The Doctor, Executive Councillor of the Imperial Business Association, and President of the Board and CEO-CFO of the A-ELI, Inc., Elizar sílna Pinemaw; read this paper. Before putting it on their shelf for archival purposes. "We grow, likeminded intellectuals within the Imperial Business Association might just be the key to true economic liberty." They paused. "I hope that Mr. Vigo is successful in his endeavors. To future mutual prosperity and cooperation. We grow, and our competitors falter."