GREENLAND Company. A joint stock of 40,000l. was by statute to be raised by subscribers, who were incorporated for 14 years from the first of October 1693, and the company to use the trade of catching whales, &c. into and from Greenland, and the Greenland seas; they may make bye-laws for the government of the persons employed in their ships, &c. Stat. 4 and 5 W. III. cap. 17. This company was farther encouraged by parliament in 1696; but partly by unskillful management, and partly by real losses, it was under the necessity of entirely breaking up, before the expiration of the term assigned to it, ending in 1707. But any person who will adventure to Greenland for whale-fishing, shall have all privileges granted to the Greenland company, by 1 Anne, cap. 16. and thus the trade was again laid open. Any subjects may import whale-fins, oil, &c. of fish caught in the Greenland seas, without paying any customs, &c. stat. 10 Geo. I. cap. 16. And ships employed in the Greenland-fishery are to be of such burden, provided with boats, so many men, fishing-lines, harping irons, &c. and be licensed to proceed; and on their return shall be paid 20s. per ton bounty, for whale-fins, &c. imported; 6 Geo. II. cap. 33. The bounty was afterwards increased; but has been lately diminished, and since this diminution, the trade has increased. See Whale-fishery.