English Merchants Ships and Goods concluding that they must have reparation made for the publique damage of the Commonwealth which they would be willing to accept of in any honorable manner and were willing to that purpose if the Ambassador had sufficient power to treat with him to that effect In summe after sometime the Count Del Sa Lord Chamberlain of the Kingdom of Portugal arrived in England in the quality of an Ambassador extraordinary who after many Conferences Addresses and large Offers made obtained a Peace upon condition to repay great Sums of monyes towards the satisfaction of the losses of the English Merchants During the stay of this Ambassador his brother D. Pantaleon Sa Knight of Malta led by I know not what frantick madness made a great uproar upon the New Exchange in London where some English were by him and his followers murdered for which several of his retinve were hanged and himself notwithstanding the earnest solicitations of his brother afterwards beheaded upon Tower-hill when the government of England was changed from a strange kinde of Commonwealth to a stranger kinde of Monarchy under a Protector But to return back again to the affairs of the Kingdom of Portugal The Earl of Castle Melhor who had been sent Vice-Roy into Brazile had so good success that with the assistance of those Portugueses before in the Kingdom he expulsed the Hollanders out of all their Garrisons there except the strong Fortress of Recif which was built upon a Rock wholly invironed by the Sea This animated the United States of the Netherlands to endeavour a revenge and recovery of that country and to that end and purpose a Potent Fleet was set out and notwithstanding the very earnest endeavours and large offers of the Portuguese Ambassador at the Hagne set sail to reconquer that Kingdom but not with that success which was expected for the expedition proved wholly fruitless and after so great an expence the States were so highly discontented that the Admiral Wittison was arrested at the Hague to answer such things as should be objected against him concerning that voyage It much concerns that King who hath to deal with enemies too potent for him to strengthen himself with such Alliance as may most advantage him and endammage his foe This consideration made King Iohn of Portugal about the year 1652. send an Ambassador to the young Duke of Savoy who by reason of the scituation of his Country had good and frequent opportunites to annoy the Catholique King and divert him from turning his whole Force upon this Kingdom offering reciprocal Marriage between that Duke and his Daughter and the young Prince Theodosio and Savoy's Sister But this his intention was I suppose diverted if not wholly hindred by the great power of Cardinal Mazarine in France who designed one of his Nieces as a fit match for Eugenius young Duke of Savoy 'T is not at all safe nor fit for a Subject to grow too rich at least not to exceed his Soveraign in Treasure for he thereby layes himself open to the envy and suspicion of his Prince nor is it possible that any who hath managed a publique employment can be so without faults as that somewhat cannot be laid to his charge to render him at a Kings mercy Sufficient example of this we have in D. Phillip de Mascarendas Vice-Roy of Goa in the East-Indies who having for many years officiated in that high imployment had gathered up an infinite Mass of Riches and now being called home thought in peace and quiet to enjoy what with a penurious and industrious hand he had been many years storing up but the King being informed that he had indeed such a vaste treasure in Gold Diamonds Pearls and other Jewels as he could not with his own honor or safety permit a Subject to enjoy easily found out them who were ready to form complaints against him which were as readily listned to by the Kings Councel who presently drawing up a charge against him for having used an arbitrary power oppressed and abused the Subjects and Merchants trading thither c. caused the Ship wherein he came with all the riches laden on it to be seized on for the Kings use and himself for sometime imprisoned nor had it been a wonder if he had made a forfeiture of his life as well as of the greatest part of his Estate The strength of the Hollanders at Sea had been the greatest obstacle to the Portuguese not wholly regaining there ancient possession in Brazile but the Wars wherein the Hollanders had involved themselves with England proving so powerful a diversion the Portuguese took the advantage to reduce Recif which with several Forts that encompassed it and some few other were the onely places that held out against them Against this therefore with a sufficient Land-force came Don Francisco Barreto governor of Pernambuco whilst the Portuguese Navy consisting of 65 Sayl blocked it up by Sea and first by storm took the Fort of Salines and thence coming before that of Burracco found it already abandoned and blown up be the defendants he next proceeded to the new Fortress the next and strongest Fort to that of Recif and well manned and munitioned Thus having made a sturdy resistance was at length forced by the Portugal which so amazed the Hollanders that though they had fifteen hundred men and six months provisions in Recif yet they agreed to yield it upon honorable tearms on the 26 of Ianuary 1654. being twenty four years after they had taken it from the Portugals THe conditions upon which this stronge fortess was surrendred up were to this effect 1. That D. Francisco Bareto should forget all Acts of Hostility made by the Hollanders against the Portugals by Sea and Land 2. That all persons whatsoever even the Jews in Recif and Maurice town though Rebells against the King of Portugals should be pardoned 3. That all Hollanders should be free to carry away those goods they actually possessed 4. That they should have sufficient numbers of Ships able to pass the Equinectial Line with Iron-guns for their transportation 5. That the Hollanders married with Portugal Woman or Natives there should be dealt so withal as if they had married Dutch Women and should with the consent of the women have power to carry them away with them 6. That those who would stay there under the obedience of the Portugals should be used as well as if they were native Portugals and as to their Religion should live as other strangers do in Portugal 7. That all forts about Recif and Maurice-town viz. the port of St. Bastions Boa Vista St. Austines Convent the Castle of Maurice-town that of the three Bastions the Brum with it's Redoubt the Castle of St. George and all others should be surrended to the aforesaid D. Francisco Barreto governor of Pernambucco with all the Ordnance and Ammunition presently after the signing of these Articles 8. That the Hollanders should be free to remain in Recif and
this speech of the Archbishops His Majesty returned answer in expressions equal to his love and greatness That the weight of the Scepter and subjection to the Crown were things always dissonant to his Genius That he had of late years given them sufficient testimony of it whilst they were not more affectionate in offering then he was ready to deny the taking upon him the weight of the Kingdom That his now condescending to their desires was onely to provide for the kingdom which had been acquisted and agrandized with the blood of his Predecessors and to take it from the hands of those who besides their unjustly possessing it had rendred themselves unworthy of it by endeavouring by all means to ruine it in sum he concluded with thanks for their love offering himself ready to adventure his health and life for their preservation the redeeming them from slavery and maintaining of their priviledges This short discourse ended His Majesty went to the great Church in the same order as before where being set in a Chair of Estate raised upon a Stage for that purpose with a Christal Scepter in his right hand at which stood the Lord Constable and behind him the Lord Chamberlain there was placed before him a Table Covered with Cloth of Gold and a Cushion thereon upon the Cushion lay a Gold Crucifix and a Messal Here the Archbishops of Lisbon and Braga administred the ensuing Oath to the King WE swear and promise by the grace of God to rule and govern you well and justly and to administer justice as far as humane frailty will permit to maintain unto you your Customs Priviledges and liberties granted unto you by the Kings our Predecessors So God help us God and this his holy Gospel This Oath being administred the three Estates to wit the Clergy Nobility and Commons took the following Oath of Allegiance to his Majesty one for every one of the Estates pronouncing these words I Swear by this holy Gospel of God touching corporally with my hand That I receive for our King and lawful Soveraign the High and Mighty King Don John the fourth our Soveraign and do homage unto him according to the use and custom of his Kingdoms This and the Ceremonies attendant ended his Majesty accompanied with all his Nobles returned to his Palace whether notwithstanding it was a very great rain all the Grandees went bare-headed where there was a most sumptuous Banquet prepared but his Majesty gave himself wholly to consult of preparations for the War shewing thereby that Kings in their greatest felicity and delights should not forget affairs of State and taking care for the preservation of their Subjects But amongst debates of the War abroad there happened one of an affair neer home concerning the placing or displacing Officers of State and because His Majesty knew that the charge of such Officers must needs be with the resentment of many and that there is nothing more alienates the minds of men then to see themselves undeservedly deprived of their honors he took away onely the places of two to wit that of the Providitore of the Custom-house because he was Son in Law to Diego Soarez and brother in Law to Vasconsellos the late deservedly slain Secretary and that of the Count of Castanhie who was President of the Tribunal or Court of Conscience because he was too much interessed with His Catholick Majesty As for the Infanta Margarita di Mantoua late Vice-Queen and the Marquess Della Puebla kinsman to Olivarez the Castle called Pasos de Angiobregas was assigned them with fourteen thousand Crowns a year for maintenance An honorable prison it was nor could they desire any thing but liberty which show'd a great nobleness of minde in King Iohn but Princes always do like Princes and much it demonstrates the Magnanimity of the mind to honor our enemies though they be our prisoners Nor must we here forget the magnanimous and couragious Carriage of the Dutchess of Mantoua late Vice-Queen during these confusions and distractions for King Iohn sending to ascertain her that she should want none of those civilities that were suitable to a Princess of her high birth provided she would forbear all discourse and practises which might infuse into any an ill opinion of his present Government She returned thanks to the Duke for she would not stile him King for his complement but withal fell into a grave Exhortation to those Nobles that carried the message telling them That they should lay aside all vain hopes and not cozen themselves but return to their old Allegiance according as they were obliged by Oath which if they did she doubted not to finde them all pardon The rest of the Castilians of Authority were confined in the Castle and all the souldiers took the Portuguese pay either because they believed doing so to be most for their interest or else because being most of them linkt in parentage with the Portugusses they believed the Portugal interest to be their own Shortly after Lucia now Queen of Portugal Sister to the Duke of Medina Sidonia with her Son the Prince Theodosio arrived at Lisbon who were received with all imaginable expressions of joy the Queen was soon after solemnly crowned and the Prince installed at whose installation the Nobles and Grandees of the Realm took to him the following Oath WE acknowledge and receive for our true and natural Prince the high and excellent Prince D. Theodosio as Son Heir and Successor of our Soveraign Lord the King and as his true and natural Subjects we do him homage in the hands of the King and after the death of our true and natural King and Soveraign of these Kingdomes of Portugal and Algarve and beyond Sea in Affrica Lord of Guiana of the Conquests Navigations and Commerce in Ethiopia Arabia Persia India c. we will obey his Commands and Decrees in all and through all both high and low we will make War and maintain Peace with all those that His Highness shall Command us And all this we swear to God upon the holy Cross and the holy Gospel These Ceremonies performed withal fitting solemnity the King to show that the good of His Subjects was his onely care called an Assembly of the three Estates of the Kingdom who being convened and the King seated in His Royal Throne Don Emanuel D' Acugna Bishop of Elvas made a Speech to them to the following purpose THat one of the first laws of nature was the uniting of men together from whence Cities and Kingdoms had their Original and by which they after defended themselves in War and maintained themselves in Peace That for that cause His Majesty had called this assembly to consult for the better service of God defence in War and Government in Peace That there could be no service of God without union of Religion no defence without union amongst men no Regular Government without union of Councils That His Majesty did expect to be informed by his loyal Subjects what was for
came as far as the Carpetting making low reverence as the Ambassadors bowed when they came near Her Majesty made them be covered but afterwards they spoke with their Hats off In conclusion the Queen told them that she much desired to hold Correspondence with Her Majesty of Portugal In fine on the 13th of Iune 1641. a Peace was absolutely concluded with the Portugal notwithstanding the earnest endeavors of Don Alonzo Cardenas Leiger Ambassador for Spain who by gifts and promises even as far as the restitution of the Palatinate endeavored to hinder it The Embassadors that were sent to the King of Denmark notwithstanding the great Traffick and Commerce that had formerly bin held between that Kingdom and Portugal were not by reason of the great interest the House of Austria had with those Kings received yet the King gave all possible respect otherwise to them From thence they passed into Sweden and were magnificently entertained at the yong Queens Court at Stockholm where a League was soon concluded and the Ambassadors dismissed according to the custom of that Nation with Gold Chains and the Queens Portraicture in a Meddal of Gold The Ambassador D. Tristano De Mendoza Hurtada that was sent to the States of the Vnited Provinces was received with the like magnificence and seeming affection and a Truce concluded with the Kingdom of Portugal for ten years for a Peace the States would not assent to because they having conquered many places in Brasile Angola c. which belonged to the Crown and Kingdom of Portugal could not make restitution of them by reason they now belonged to the West-India Company nor could the King of Portugal allow the Conquest as things of right belonging to his Crown and depending on it But now we come to treat of a more solemn Embassie to wit that to the Pope Long was it debated in the Assembly of Estates whether an Ambassador should be sent to Rome immediately or a more opportune conjuncture of time be expected Some were of the opinion that the sending an Ambassador without further delay would be a testification of their duty and incline the Popes Holiness to acknowledge Don Iohn the lawful Heir and rightful King of Portugal which would extreamly further and advance the Affairs of the kingdom But others there were who conceived those things rather desirable than feasable and were of the opinion they should rather stay till a fitter opportunity alledging that the King of Spain's present power at Rome might probably oppose the Reception of their Ambassador that although the Pope never was in his heart a Spaniard yet he would never yield to show himself an enemy to the Catholick King That the Spaniards cunningly fomenting the opinion which all the world had entertained that his Holiness did in all things favor the French interest would from such a Reception draw as much as ever they could ask or desire That for this cause the Pope that he might not seem their enemy had always granted them whatever they desired That therefore they thought it convenient first to sound his Holiness before they run the hazard of the disgrace and affront which might fall upon His Majesty and the whole kingdom That in case the Pope should decline the reception of the Ambassador to whom could they repair or appeal to vindicate the injury done to the Crown That many Popes had been sâ— fascinated to the interest of their own family that the world had very great occasion to believe that their designs tended rather to what was best for themselves then to what was best indeed That the Portugal Nation had as much reason to distrust the Sea of Rome as any whilst they had to their cost had examples how they onely pursued their own ends As particularly Gregory the thirteenth who at first seemed so affectionate to the kingdom of Portugal that he imployed the utmost of his power for the interest of his own family approved of all that King had done That there was none who had more to give or at least who had more to promise then the Catholique King so that in any business of competition he must necessarily gain the better But notwithstanding all these Arguments to the contrary upon the promises of the King of France to be a Mediator at the Sea of Rome for the reception of their Ambassadors by the suffrage of some few voices to make the major part it was concluded That Ambassadors should immediately be sent to Rome And in pursuance of this Vote the King immediately made choice of two reverend and able persons to wit Michael De Portogallo Son to the Count Vimioso of the blood Royal Bishop of Lamego and D. Patableone Rodriguiz Bishop of Elvas No sooner was the news arrived at Rome of their being landed in Italy but the Spaniards in Rome mustred themselves together with resolution either to oppose their entrance or at least hinder their reception whilst on the other side the French Portugal and Catalonians assembled themselves together resolving to hazard their dearest blood in their cause His Holiness seeing these preparations on both sides feared lest his country should be made the seat of a petty war and considering that in any case the dishonor would accrue to him if whilst under his command and protection the person of an Ambassador should be violated strictly commanded all his Guards to take special care to prevent the violencies in tended The Spaniards by this order hindred from what they purposed their Ambassadors openly protested that if his Holiness did receive the Portugal Ambassador they would immediately leave Rome But notwithstanding these protestations and all other opposition they could possibly make in November 1641. the two Portugal Ambassadors being met by divers Cardinals Princes and Cavaliers well armed entred into Rome and were conducted to the Palace of the French ambassador who received them with al respect possible still giving them the precedence Hereupon several Manifesto's are scattered abroad by the two Spanish Ambassadors the Marquess De los Veles and D. Iohn Chiumarrero labouring to prove that his Holiness ought not to receive the Ambassadors of the Duke of Braganza as they stiled him First because he was a tyrant and usurper of that Kingdom which had been in the quiet possession of the Catholick King these sixty years Secondly because he was a Rebel and a perjured person having sworn Allegiance to the Catholique King Thirdly that the reception of these Ambassadors would animate other Subjects of the Catholique King to Rebellion But whilst the Spanish Ambassadors are violently shooting such Paper-Bullets the Portugueses used all their endeavors both by them selves and the French Ambassadors who had express order from the most Christian King his Master to that purpose to prevail with the Pope to give them audience and admit their Embassy but his Holiness was so fearful to displease the Spaniard lest he should afterwards take occasion to revenge himself upon his Nephew 's that he utterly declined
foment discords between us upon presumption of this trivial innovation The King my Master sends me to continue and preserve our common and ancient peace whereof I am to make a render unto the Parliament of the Commonwealth of England in His Majesties behalf as proceeding from a perfect sincerity in his Royal breast and whereunto he is chiefly drawn by the motive of his singular esteem and love he bears unto this English Nation And this as the main point I shall recommend unto you both in regard of your greater good and ours and as a thing of highest concernment that we reflect how little it can be pleasing to Almighty God and how derogatory it must needs be to our reputation on both sides to give the least beginning of discord between two Christian Nations so well affected to one another as we are It is manifest unto the Parliament of the Commonwealth of England and to all Europe besides in how wonderful a manner such as was onely possible to God the King my Master was restored to his Kingdoms and how the divine Majesty whose handy-work this was doth by his especial care and grace defend and continue this restoration Which as it doth dayly more appear by the victories we have over our enemies at home so again it is seen in our remotest and most distantial dominions in the East-Indies where even at a huge distance His Majesty possessing the hearts of his people enjoyes that greatest peace in the world and is secure in Affrica relying thereupon his prosperous and happy powers To conclude the King my Master lest any thing should be wanting to render him compleatly happy hath according to the wish of an ancient Christian Author for securing the prosperity of the Roman Empire a faithful Senate puissant Armies and a most obedient people Fortifications in the judgement of wisest politicians conducing and necessary both to defend and increase Empires and Kingdoms Now in this good condition of not onely gaining and conserving friends but also of vanquishing our enemies the King my Master loves and embraces peace as the chiefest good amongst humane things holding it forth to all Kingdomes and Commonwealths but especially to this of England with that exceeding good will which he hath hither to born shall ever bear unto the same standing thereunto obliged by such bonds of love and good offices as shall never be forgotten by His Majesty For the people of this Nation are the most worthy successors of those their Heriock Ancestors who by their just power and Arms came freely to vindicate our Crowns from the Mahumetan oppressions And are if not the same persons at least their children who inflamed with a fervor and zeal of defending the Crown of Portugal justly did disdain to see it in the unjust possession of a forreign Prince They are I say those who with so mature deliberation and resolution endeavoured to snatch away this undue possession from the said Usurper maugre the concurrence of some ill affected Portugals with our enemies and that they might archieve this end glorious to themselves and to us emolumental they are those who covered these as with their Squadrons and Fleets of Ships ever formidable to their most potent enemies by a new example of an unheard of valour had our unfortunate Stars then given us leave to be happy come up to the very walls of Lisbon And this having formerly been between us and them most powerful English-men and our most loving brethren now that the Crown of Portugal for which you have fought so valiantly when it was unlawfully detained is happily restored to the possession of the natural and lawful King to whom of right it appertains who would not admire to see you bend your equal power upon no occasion given against the true and rightful King of Portugal by joyning with and favoring the same Usurper beaten by us from whom your selves did heretofore by force of your own Arms in our behalfs endeavor to snatch and wrest away that Crown he had unjustly seized upon and whom indeed you have hitherto both in desire and effect opposed It would to all the world seem a thing much removed from the innate generosity and gallantry of this your Nation and very ill suiting with your Christian justice and equality as also it would be a very unworthy requital of us who have deserved better at your hands and of that benevolence and affection wherewith the whole kingdom of Portugal is passionately câ—rrying on towards you wishing unto you the same happiness that we our selves desire to enjoy Let therefore these imaginary Clouds of discord vanish and be quite blown over from our thoughts as serving onely to Ecclipse with darkness the clear light of our antient amity which with what intention God Almighty knows the importune sagacity of our Common enemy would fain deprive us of Let all obstactles be removed and thrown quite away wherewith the true serving politicians by their inbred ambition of an universal Monarchy do conspire the ruine of us both aiming at nothing more then to set us together by the ears that overthrowing each other with our own Wars we may have brests open when our powers are exhausted to their swords and wounds with greater advantage against our selves and less hazard unto them This new Republique is built upon strong and sure foundations as also our antient and restored Kingdoms let us therefore cast our eyes unto the common interest of our cause joyning hands and mutual benevolence to such effect as may render both parties security the greater forbearing and bewaring above all things all provocations or irruptions of War whereby besides the inconveniences and losses which they ever draw after them all our own affairs and safety may be hazarded extreamly while their councels and endeavours will be promoted who by hidden and wicked arts strive to extend their own power by the common waste they would make in ours The King of Portugal my Master hath sent me hither furnished with a firm ample plenipotentiary power that discussing and screwing all the just and convenient meanes I may confer about the conservation of Peace and removing all emergent obstacles and scruples resolve and establish with the Parliament of the Commonwealth of England whatsoever shall be necessary for composing of our present affairs and maturely to provide with the greatest security that may be possible for their future well being I therefore beseech the Parliament of the Commonwealth of England that weighing and considering these things which I have exhibited they would please to decree whatsoever shall seem to them most convenient and just To this large Speech of forced and known flattery if we respect it in relation to the persons it was spoke to though most true in those particulars relating to the English Nation whilst monarchical was answered by the Rebels with a large Harange of the injuries they supposed done them by the protection of Prince Ruperts Fleet and seizure of the
publique thanks to be given and Te Deum to be sung in all Churches Hopes to revenge the late defeat given by the Lord Therimicourt and desire to do some valiant act before he departed from his Government made the Marquess of Leganez governour of the Spanish forces at Estramadura give an Alarum to the Portuguese Frontiers and enter into the Country with two thousand horse and 6000 foot but the valiant Count of St. Laurence assaulting him forced him to retire with shame and excuse himself that he marched out onely to meet the Marquess of Mortare who was appointed to succeed him in the Government Yet this small and worthless Alarum made the King of Portugal who knew that too much care could not be had of the safety of his Kingdom to send Orders to the Governors to look more exactly to the countries committed to their charges then formerly and strictly to give charge to Don Iuan de Menezez Governour of Porto The Viscount Ponte de Lima Governour of the countries between Douro and Mimbo to the Count of Arogna Governor of Trasmontes and Don Roderigo de Castro Governour of Beira to repair with all expedition to their several Commands Nor was his Majesty less careful of his dominions abroad then of those neer home which made him dispatch the Baron of Alviro to be Governour of Tanger and D. Franciso De Norogna to Mazagan both strong Forts in Africa the last of which had been neer surprized by the Moors of Barbary but the Commander of that party which assaulted it being slain by a valorous French-man they were beaten off with loss for which service the King bestowed upon the French-man a pension of six hundred Crowns per annum And whilst His Majesty was distributing his bounties he could not forget the Lady Dona Maria Manuel widdow to the some-time before deceased D. Antonio Coello D. Caravallio who had ever since His Majesties coming to the Crown been one of His Privy-Councellors and was one of the chief persons that went Ambassadors into France to renew the Alliance and conclude a firm League between the King of Portugal and Lewis the thirteenth King of France His Majesty therefore in consideration of his services bestowed a valuable pension on his aforesaid widdow There was almost dayly inroads made upon the Frontiers in some places or other amongst the rest the Baron of Themericourt entred with a strong party into the Spanish Territories surprized the Suburbs of the City of Albuquerque and brought away a very rich booty without the loss of so much as one souldier upon the place and not above twenty wounded The succor of the distressed Subjects of the more distressed King of England about the year 1650. gave occasion to the King of Portugal to manifest his affection to the English Nation which he did by giving assistance to the gallant Prince Rupert who being by His Majesty of England made Admiral of those few ships which in the year 1648. returned to their Allegiance had ever since been pursued by the more poâ—ent Fleets of the English Rebels and was now by them driven to seek the protection of his Portugal Majesty who notwithstanding that the Fleet of the Rebels with threatning Bravado's demanded the said Kings leave either to assault them in his port or to force them to come out bravely protected them under his Castles In revenge of which the Rebels of England who stiled themselves a Parliment proclaimed an open War with the Portugal Nation which His Majesty notwithstanding his great engagement at that present both against the Spaniards at home and the Hollanders on the other side the Line resolved to endure rather then deliver up the faithful Subjects of England into the hands of Murther Tyranny and Treason and therefore in part to cry quittance with the English who had taken Prize several Ships belonging to this Nation he made seizure of all the English Ships and goods within his whole dominions but onely those he had before protected But at length Prince Rupert finding a clear passage from out his ports where he had for many months been blocked up the King by reason of his other large expences in defence of his Kingdom finding himself unable to maintain a War against the English and nature dictating us to the preservation of our selves resolved more moved out of necessity then inclination to send an Agent into England to conclude a peace The person deputed to go on this unpleasant imployment viz to court Rebels was D. Suarez de Gimeraines who had for his assistance and interpreter Mr. Myles and English Merchant these two embarqued upon a Hamburger hired for that purpose by the King of Portugal arrived in England in Ianuary 1650. About the beginning of Feburary D. Suarez had audience before a Committee of the pretended Parliament to whom he made a Speech in Latine to this effect THe Serenissimo King of Portugal my Master sends me hither to the Parliament of the Commonwealth of England that on his behalf and in his name having first most friendly saluted you as I now do with the greatest affection of my heart that I am able I may joyntly tender and make known to you the Royal desire which my Master feels within himself to conserve and more and more to knit the knot of that Amity which uninterrupted hath ever been between the Serenissimo Kings of Portugals their Ancestors and this renowned English Nation It being my part to endeavor what lies in me to remove all obstacles that may hinder the most vigorous effect of this hearty union and conjunction of minds so to preserve inviolably the ancient peace between us This I come to continue hoping and wishing all happy success therein this I come to intimate and offer unto the Parliament of the Commonwealth of England with that sincere and pristine affection which hitherto the experience of many ages hath made manifest Nor shall you need to scruple the sincerity of my intention and purpose by reason of the divers past attempts not to say fights between your power and ours since they have not been such as have broken or dissolved our amity nor have had their rise or approbation from the King my Master nor as we believe from the Parliament of the Commonwealth of England but more probably carried on either by the impulse of their own private affections or by the defect of that circumspection which in such cases is ever necessary But as I hope particularly and fully to prove indeed to demonstrate this truth unto the Parliament of the Republique of England so I am assured they will not onely rest satisfied therein but shall also have accruing to them a newer force and sence of mutual friendship between us since the jarrs that happen amongst friends are oftentimes justly accounted as certain redintigrations of love And I do admire our enemies have not made this reflection whilst fed with vain hope they have thought it in their power to sow and