very extensive traffic with the world. It may even become one of the great entrepôts for the supply of many of the European markets, as the railways now in course of construction will afford facilities for conveying its imports, not merely to the interior of Portugal and to Spain, but also to more distant parts of Europe.
It is, indeed, sad to look, as I now do, from the window of my
hotel upon the beautiful but lifeless Tagus—to think what it is by nature, what it was in commerce, and what it might be under wise and liberal laws. The future is in the hands of your own people, and the members of your chamber might become instruments of great good by the dissemination of statistical and other information bearing upon the questions on which you have invited my opinion. You have happily a free press, which will enable your chamber to do so to great advantage. I return to England to-morrow. When I reach home I shall forward to you copies of the works you desire to possess, as also other publications which may be of service to you. Much useful information might also be obtained from the various ministers and consuls resident in this city; and I am sure they will only be too happy to assist you in the laudable object you have in view, for the countries they represent, especially England and France, are deeply interested in every measure tending to create greater intercourse between your country and their own.
I am, Sir, Your very obedient and faithful servant, W. S. Lindsay. To A. J. P. Serzedello, junior, Esq., &c. &c. &c., Secretary to the Commercial Association, Lisbon.
APPENDIX No. 7. Summary of the Acts passed for the Regulation of Passenger Ships.
The first separate Act for regulating passenger ships was the
43 Geo. 3, cap. 56. By this Act the number of passengers to be
carried in any British vessel was limited to one person, including
the crew, for every two tons of the unladen part of the
ship, and in foreign ships two persons for every five tons.
