Completed the following sentence: English merchants in Lisbon were in a privileged position with exemptions from local tax and regulations. Stephens was signed on for seven years apprenticeship, but his uncle's business failed and he was taken as a partner on by a successful merchant, George Medley.<unk> Stephens was signed on for seven years apprenticeship, but his uncle's business failed and he was taken as a partner on by a successful merchant, George Medley. ️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️ ąąąąąąąąąąąąąąą
️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️ Carvalho e Melo, however, enhanced his power by taking control of the situation.