Ukase of 1799

The Ukase of 1799 (Russian: Указ 1799 года) was a decree of Tsar Paul I issued on 8 July 1799 which claimed a southern border of Russian America along the 55th parallel north.[1] The United American Company was given a controlling interest in the chartered Russian-American Company and a monopoly of commercial activities in Russian America and on the Kuril Islands was granted for a period of twenty years.[1] Russian fur traders were forbidden to operate in Russian America unless affiliated with the RAC, although foreign traders were still allowed access.[1] The Company was also authorised to establish colonies where its directors deemed prudent.[1] The patent was later superseded by Tsar Alexander I's Ukase of 1821.