And this we may also gather from the prohibition of _Charles_ the ninth, denying the _Birkarli_ the priviledge of trafficking in _Lapland_, as they had formerly done. The words of the injunction published in the year 1602 are to this purpose; _And we do utterly forbid the_ Birkarli _any more to trade for skins or other commodities, as they have formerly used_. Before this time therefore they were either the only, or chief Merchants in _Lapland_, whither when they had brought their merchandise, they went round the Country purchasing all the skins they could, of which afterwards they made great sums of mony. And this they continually did till the time of _Gustavus_ the first, when that priviledge began to be denyed them; by which they were grown so rich and powerfull, and what is the common consequent thereof, proud and haughty.
But neither could _Gustavus_ provide against all their arts and evasions; for tho he took from them all power over the _Laplanders_, yet they being better skilled in the commodities of the Country and constitution of the People then others, did still, tho not so openly, keep correspondence and trafic with them, till in the year 1602, in the time of _Charles_ the ninth, they were forbid by the forementioned injunction, at any time, or in any place, to hold any commerce with them, and the monopoly of all skins was annext to the Crown; a certain rate being set at which they were to be sold. The words of the Edict are thus: “Whatsoever skins are found in _Lapland_, we do command and enjoyn our Governors to buy up for our use, according to the statute and rate in that case provided.” And this was also again enforced in the year 1610, only in this there was a clause inserted, that the skins of _Elkes_ should be brought into the Kings tresury _gratis_. The clause runs thus: “And we do command all _Laplanders_ in our name to bring to our Governors all saleable skins, for which they shall return the worth in other commodities, as is by statute provided; but the skins of _Elkes_ they shall seize upon for our use, not giving any consideration for them; if any man shall take this beast, it shall be lawfull for him to keep the flesh for his own private use, but the skin shall belong to Us and our Crown.” But their trading is now grown more general, and they have of late years learned to deal more freely and openly with other Nations; for they that dwell among the mountains that divide _Norway_ and _Swedland_, deal both with the _Norwegians_ and _Swedes_, and they that live more Northerly and Easterly with the _Russians_ and _Finlanders_.