The law, for instance, lately promulgated for the abolition of the carrier system (carregadores) is but one of several equally humane enactments against this mode of compulsory labor, but there is very little probability of the benevolent intentions of the Legislature being carried into effect.
Loanda is regarded somewhat as a penal settlement, and those who leave their native land for this country do so with the hope of getting rich in a few years, and then returning home.

They have thus no motive for seeking the permanent welfare of the country.

The Portuguese law preventing the subjects of any other nation from holding landed property unless they become naturalized, the country has neither the advantage of native nor foreign enterprise, and remains very much in the same state as our allies found it in 1575.

Nearly all the European soldiers sent out are convicts, and, contrary to what might be expected from men in their position, behave remarkably well.

A few riots have occurred, but nothing at all so serious as have taken place in our own penal settlements.