"_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.]