He was afraid that the British might not even be willing to give Portugal time to quell public opinion. Under the dual pressures of the British Government and domestic public sentiment, any step taken by the Portuguese Government could be a mistake, with consequences that would be devastating.
"Moreover, is it possible that your country's trade relations with Spain are a bit too close? If there are excessively close economic exchanges with Spain, your country's economy is easily influenced by Spain.
I suggest severing the railway connections with Spain, as only using railways with different track gauges can ensure the safety of Portugal's mainland.
