Appendix
Letter 1
Paris, 30 de Março de 1897
Messrs Henry Burnay & Cº
(…)
There is here a wonderful discovery for electric traction. The Cie des Omnibus de Paris after every type of research for the electrical systems and others will adopt the Serpolet engine.
It has already ordered 60 vehicles but tries to preserve this decision secret because of the treaties it tries to endorse at low prices for the oil and coal derivatives.
The Serpolet system works with steam and a burner for oil residuals and coal gaz. It is very small, very light and climbs all the slopes.
Tomorrow I am going to see a vehicle at work, from the Cie des Omnibus de Paris. I think we shall send one to Lisbon for trial. The patent for England was sold at a high price. If we adopted this system we should not need the authorisation for using electricity and the initial expenditure would be much lower. The traction cost per km is 25 to 30 cents per vehicle for 50 passangers. If we adopted this system it would be necessary to secure contracts with the Gas Companies of Lisbon and Oporto even before the trials in order for them to buy the gross oils that result from the gas distillation as they are produced without any purification.
I believe that we discard those oils in Portugal. Couteaux may assure a low price.
Accept, dear Sirs, my friendly salutations
Burnay
I plan to leave Paris next Friday the 2nd April to Vernet and be in Lisbon on the next Friday the 9th of April.
Bibliographical References
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