PHYSICAS E NATURAES 195 



lections to the Portuguese Government, being as they are a most abun- 

 dant supply of information to that Flora. 



A prompt decision is thus much to be wished, and we can only 

 hope to see the English Court of justice, in their full wisdom and dig- 

 nity, informed as they are to day, of ali the circumstances of the case, 

 put an end to the long debate, attending to ali legitimate convenien- 

 ces of the matter and the justice due to the Government of a friendly 

 nation. 



The terms in which the matter is to be decided seem to us olear 

 and simple. The Portuguese Government claimed as its ow^n property 

 the collections of an expedition which it had ordered ; the said coUec- 

 tions having been through anoíher's will disposed of in a testament. 

 Government thinks that its right has been fully estabhshed by the plea- 

 dings. If it be so recognised, the will of Dr. Welwitsch is annulled in 

 every thing respecting these collections, which ought then to be given 

 up to it without delay and hinderance. If not, the will is fully to be 

 accepted and Government will have but to submit to it in the impossi- 

 bility of doing otherwise. This last way of settling the case, offensive 

 to our supposed rights and interests, seems to us less disadvantageous 

 than the greater port of the compromises proposed, which would only 

 render illusory any acknowledgement of that right. 



Delegate by the Portuguese Government 



BERNARDINO ANTÓNIO GOMES 



