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334> 



THE TREATY OF COMMERCE 



which it produced among the merchants of that 

 nation residing in the same place. They were 

 better able as a body to urge any petition to the 

 Portuguese government, and to transact the af- 

 fairs which interested them generally. However 

 their protection is sufficiently provided for in 

 other articles of the Treaty, and therefore it is 

 well that this privilege was given up : it was an 

 odious one, and not necessary ; and certainly 

 was not consistent with the basis of reciprocity 

 upon which the treaty was formed. 



Article 26th. This declares that the stipu- 

 lations existing concerning the admission of the 

 wines of Portugal into Great Britain, and the 

 woollen cloths of Great Britain into Portugal, 

 shall remain unaltered. * The article continues 

 thus. " In the same manner it is agreed, that 

 the favours, privileges, and immunities, granted 

 by either contracting party to the subjects of 

 the other, whether by Treaty, Decree, or Alvara\ 

 shall remain unaltered." t 



* I do not know how far good policy directs that prefer- 

 ence should be given to the Portugal wines over those of 

 other parts ; but it is rather hard that the people of Great 

 Britain should be obliged to drink the wines of Portugal. 

 when others of a superior flavour might be obtained, if re- 

 strictions did not exist against their consumption. 



f The privileges which British subjects have long enjoyed 

 in the dominions of the crown of Portugal are considerable. 

 I give as concise an account of them as I possibly can. 

 " D. Joam by the grace of God Prince Regent of Portugal, 

 &c. To all my Corregedores, &c. be it known, that Joam 



