The economic institution proposed in this petition for founding colonial settlements was rejected in favor of which alternative?
a. publicly owned monopolies
b. state funded settlements
c. mercantilist systems
d. joint-stock companies

REASONS OR MOTIVES for the raising of a PUBLIC STOCK to be employed for the peopling and discovering of such countries as may be found most convenient for the supply of those defects which this Realm of England most requires. . . .

Where colonies are founded for a public-[welfare], they may continue in better obedience and become more industrious than where private men are absolute backers of a voyage. Men of better behavior and quality will engage themselves in a public service, which carries more reputation with it, than a private, which is for the most part ignominious in the end, because it is presumed to aim at a profit and is subject to rivalry, fraud, and envy, and when it is at the greatest height of fortune can hardly be tolerated because of the jealousy of the state.

—"Reasons for Raising a Fund to Settle America on the Value of Colonies to England," 1607

If this is the accompanying petition, then the answer is D. JOINT-STOCK COMPANIES