Shelikhov-Golikov Company

The Shelikhov-Golikov Company (SGC) was a Russian fur trading venture, founded by Irkutsk entrepreneurs Grigory Shelikhov and Ivan Larionovich Golikov in 1783. Formed in Eastern Siberia during the 1780s along with several competing companies, the SGC had operations in Kurile Islands and areas that later became Russian America. Russian ventures had been focused on maritime operations under promyshlenniki, though costs had continued to rise as more distant sea otter populations had to be exploited. Centered on the Kodiak and several Aleutian Islands, the majority of the company's indentured laborer was recruited among the Aleut and Alutiiq nations. A common practice amongst Russian companies was to take hostages from various villages, to force maritime hunters to gather otter furs. Shelikhov led aggressions on Kodiak Island against the indigenous Alutiiqs in 1784, known as the Awa'uq Massacre, where Russian employees killed over 2,000 people according to some estimates. In consequence of the massacre, the Island became fully controlled by the company.

Competing European traders were generally fellow Russian traders, principally the Lebedev-Lastochkin Company. Visiting British and American ships typically paid higher rates for furs when negotiating with Alaskan Natives, which undercut the SGC trading operations. These same merchants were often the only means of supply for the scattered Russian stations, leaving the company dependent on its commercial rivals. The United American Company was created out of rival Russian companies in 1797, including the assets of Lebedev-Lastochkin Company, ensuring its commercial dominance among Russian merchants. In the Ukase of 1799 the company was granted a monopoly among Russians in North America by Tsar Paul I, becoming the basis of the Russian-American Company.

Formation

Both of the partners were natives of Kursk, beginning their commercial cooperation in 1783. The company was funded by the men "to sail to the land of Aliaska, which is called America, to islands known and unknown, in order to trade in furs, make explorations, and arrange voluntary trade with the natives." It was also intended to sell fish and furs to ports in China, Japan, Korea, the Indian subcontinent and the Philippines.Ledonne, John P. ''Proconsular Ambitions on the Chinese Border: Governor General Iakobi's Proposal of War on China.'' Cahiers du Monde russe 45, No. 1/2 (2004), pp. 31–59. In return supplies needed in Eastern Siberia, including salt and rice, would be purchased.

Operations

The first company expedition was sent during 1783 under the command of Shelikhov, with the intention to make several permanent trading posts. The first post was created at Three Saints Bay on Kodiak Island in 1784. During that year, Shelikhov lead a small militia in the Awa'uq Massacre against Alutiiqs living on the island. Before Shelikhov's departure in 1786, Promyshlenniki, Aleuts from the Fox Islands and Alutiiq created company stations on Cook Inlet, Cape Saint Elias and Afognak Island.Tikhmenev (1978), p. 17. Shelikov's commercial activities in the Aleutian Islands during 1790 and 1791, with creation of several additional ventures. These included the Baptist Company (named after a SGC vessel), the Unalaska Company and the Northeastern Company. The operational quarters were moved to Pavlovskaya in 1792.

Interest in monopoly

Shelikhov departed for Irkutsk on 22 May 1786, intending to inform the Imperial Government of his commercial activities. Both he and his partner Golikov sought a monopoly amongst Russian fur traders in North America from Empress Catherine II. It was argued that only a single consolidated Russian company could be effective against British and American entrepreneurs active in the region.Borneman, Walter R. ''Alaska: Saga of a Bold Land.'' New York City: HarperCollins. 2003, pp. 73–76. Government subsidies were petitioned for as well, hoped to bolster the operational capacity of the company.Lincoln, W. Bruce. ''The Conquest of a Continent: Siberia and the Russians.'' New York City: Random House. 1994, pp. 136–139. Additionally, soldiers of the Russian Imperial Army were requested to be stationed at company outposts.

Ivan V. Yakoby, the Governor-General of Irkutsk, forwarded the requests from the merchants. The official noted that because "those charged with collecting the iasak had often misused their powers", many Alaskan Natives "shunned any allegiance and had attempted to take vengeance on the Russians in any way they could."Tikhmenev (1978), p. 20. and advised the iasak be made voluntary for the indigenous of the New World. The College of Commerce supporting giving Golikov and Shelikhov "a noninterest-bearing loan of 200,000 rubles, to be repaid in installments over twenty years..." as the financial advisors felt the Imperial Government could draw profits by "collecting 10 percent duties for imported and exported goods."Tikhmenev (1978), p. 23. The Empress gave gifts to two men, pleased of the "new lands and peoples" discovered by the merchants. Despite the support of government officials, Catherine refused to stray from her laissez-faire economic policies and declined granting a monopoly to the Irkutsk entrepreneurs.

Later period

With Shelikhov's death in 1795 his widow, Natalia Shelikova, was left in control of the company. Golikov soon departed, and became a partner with Nikolai Mylnikov, another Irkutsk based fur trader. The assets remaining in Natalia's control were renamed to the American Company. Natalia delegated more responsibilities of the daily operations in Russian America upon Aleksandr Andreyevich Baranov, and used her son-in-law, Nikolai Rezanov to curry favor with the Imperial Court. Tsar Paul I was found to be far more receptive to a Russian fur monopoly than his deceased mother. Rezanov was able to broker an amalgamation between the American Company and the rival Irkutsk Company of Mylnikov on 20 July 1797,Tikhmenev (1978), p. 49. creating the United American Company.Barratt, Glynn. ''Russia in Pacific Waters, 1715–1824.'' Vancouver, B.C.: University of British Columbia Press. 1981, pp. 104–105 Natalia sold her assets to the UAC for ₽600,000 and reinvested a third of the proceeds as capital in the new venture. Two years later the Russian government announced the Ukase of 1799, which granted a fur monopoly in Russian America to the United American Company and established the Russian-American Company.

Chief Managers

See also

*Awa'uq Massacre

References

{{Russian America
Russian-American Company
Russian America
Defunct companies of Russia
Fur trade
Companies based in Irkutsk