A Commission from the Royal Adventurers of England, trading in Africa, to Captain Benjamin Simmonds, Captain of the AFRICAN FRIGOTT and authorising him to seize vessels infringing the monopoly of the said company. Includes partial wax seal at the bottom.

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Administrative / biographical background
The Royal African Company was a mercantile company set up by the Stuart family and London merchants to trade along the west coast of Africa. It was led by James, Duke of York, Charles II's brother. Its original purpose was to exploit the gold fields up the Gambia River identified by Prince Rupert during the Interregnum, and it was set up once Charles II gained the English throne in the Restoration of 1660. Originally known as the Company of Royal Adventurers Trading to Africa, by its charter issued in 1660, it was granted a monopoly over English trade with West Africa. With the help of the army and navy, it established forts on the West African coast that served as staging and trading stations and was responsible for seizing any English ships that attempted to operate in violation of the company's monopoly. In the prize court, the King received half of the proceeds and the company half. Benjamin Symonds was appointed Lieutenant of the KENT in 1666 later the same year he was promoted to the command of the EXPEDITION. In 1668 he became Captain of the SWALLOW.