ABSTRACT
In all sea ports consuls and consuls general were much involved with seamen and although they were not permanent residents they were a most important sector of the consul’s responsibilities. In the outports, vice consuls were appointed from among the merchants trading there and they reported to the consul general in Lisbon any difficulties they were experiencing. Although the merchants were the most important of the consul’s charges, many British people other than merchants lived and worked in Portugal and the Portuguese Atlantic islands, for whom he was responsible. Thomas Maynard was made agent for the troops in addition to his normal duties and the English merchants also did much to assist them. The merchants, had begun to blame Maynard’s unpopularity with the government for the non-observance of the terms of the treaty. Maynard was one of the few consuls appointed by the Commonwealth government to keep their posts after the Restoration.
