Don Antonio D'Oquendo that when they had relieved Flanders with men and mony they should with the whole Fleet put into Portugal and then as soon as the Duke should according to the duty of his new place and office come aboard they should immediately set Sail and bring him away to Callis but this plot was by a strange divine providence prevented for that Fleet was totally routed by the Hollanders upon the Coast of England JOHN the IV. The One and twentieth KING of PORTVGAL NOw was the time come wherein according to St. Bernards prophecy the kingdom of Portugal was to be released from the tyranny of strangers and restored again to the Government of a Native King to which all things seemed so well to quadrate that we cannot imagine there was less then a divine hand in it for though all Plots failing against the Duke of Braganza the Spaniards beginning to fear somewhat drew out as many of the Native soldiers out of the kingdom as conveniently they could thinking thereby to lessen the ill humors which begâ—n now to appear yet they did thereby onely the more stir up and enflame those discontents which were taken at Vasconsellos managing all Affairs of State For although the most Illustrious Infanta Margarita of Mantoua was a Princess of great judgement and knowledge in State-affairs yet she permitted her self to be so much over-ruled by Vasconsellos Secretary of State or at least was so much over-ruled by him whether she would or no that he either by some secret consent of his Catholick Majesty or led on by his own ambitious spirit confiding in the great favour he had at Court never permitted the Infanta to enjoy other then the title of Vice-Queen And insufferable was the Government of Vasconsellos to the Portuguesses who as much hated his obscure birth as they did his evil Customs he was a man wholly composed of pride cruelty and avarice that knew no moderation but in excesses small lapses were by him made capital crimes chastising with all severity those whom he did but suppose dissatisfied with his Government And exercising with all rigor the Spanish Inquisition punished not onely the actions but the very thoughts of men The infringing of the greatest priviledges of the Portugal Nation seemed to him but a trifle which continued oppressions in the end so exasperated the whole people that animated by the knowledge of their own strength by the many diversions of the Spanish Nation by the late example of the Catalonians and incited by the absolute ruine which they saw hung over their heads whilst six thousand of them were yearly listed and forced to serve the Spaniard in his forreign wars they resolved to loose his yoke from off their Necks and to disclaim his obedience by the election of a King of their own Some have been of opinion that this conspiracy was at least of ten years standing agreed and assented to by most of the Grandees of Portugal I dare not affirm it nor deny it for such great actions of State do resemble lightning which once past leave but the greater darkness the Air of State-mysteries is not to be flown in by less then Eagles I shall therefore omit to search into so great a Privacy and onely recount the publique action On Saturday the first of February Anno 1640. and Saturday's have been often observed to be propitious to the Portugal Nation all the Nobility of the Kingdom led on by the Marquesses of Ferrera the Count of Vimioso took Arms and accompanied with a great multitude of the inhabitants of Lisbon and some Portuguese soldiers came to the Castle which scituate in the middest of Lisbon serves both for a Palace and a Castle this was the residence of the Vice-Queen and hither assembled all the Magistrates for Governing of the Kingdom the guards which were two Companies of Spaniards and two of high Dutch either before gained by secret intelligence or frighted with the great numbers of the Portugals or desire of Novelty or else perhaps unwilling to make resistance against those to whom they were most of them joyned by friendship or marriage without the least opposition abandoning their post gave them free admittance Whilest these things had happened the Secretary Vasconsellos was in the Chambers of his Office upon some reasons he had by the Discontents of the people to suspect an Insurrection at that instant writing into Spain of the Alienation of the mindes of the Nobility from the Spanish Government and earnestly pressing that some rigorous Resolution might be taken to prevent it which Letters afterwards taken did sufficiently demonstrate his ill will to the Portuguese Nation Whilst he was thus busied the confused noise of the Soldiers pierced his ears at which wondring not so much at the tumult as at what should be the cause of it being accompanied onely with a Dutch man and another of the Guard he would have gone down but was hindred by the Portugals who came running up crying Kill the Traytor Kill the enemy of our Blood whereupon not knowing where to save himself he fled with those two accompanying him into an inner chamber and there with his sword in his hand accompanied and assisted by those two that were with him disposed himself to sell his Life at the dearest rare he could but his valor stood him in no stead for those two who endeavored to defend him being slain with two Musquet-shot he seeing it vain to defend himself there longer leapt desperately out of the window rather to seek his death than out of any hopes to save his life for no sooner was he down but numberless swords were embrued in his blood the very women and children running to tear in pieces his dead body with the same alacrity as he used to torment them when alive In the mean time the Marquess of Ferrera was gone to secure the Vice-Queen whom having committed to the Guard of two hundred Musquetteers he calls a Council and in a short Discourse sets forth the miseries the kingdom had endured whilest it lay subject to the Spanish Government who had sought no other end but their destruction Then putting them in minde of the Valor and Merits of their Nation he exhorts them to condescend to the Election of a New King nominating to them the Duke of Braganza as the most worthy of the Crown not so much for his Power Riches or the greatness of his House as because the kingdom was his indubitable Right he being the onely Person left of that Stock which for so many years had gloriously governed Portugal A long Discourse was superfluous to those who were before perswaded A publick shout interrupted the Marquesses Speech all of them crying with a loud voice That they would have John Duke of Braganza for their King In the whole multitude there was not a face much less a voice that did gainsay this general Vote either because they did all really rejoyce to see that they should again have
he would not deliver him into the hands of the Spaniards but would speedily procure his liberty and infranchisement Yet notwithstanding these fair promises of the Emperors Duarte's ill usage in prison daily and hourly increased not could he by any means possible get audience of the Emperor not without any reason for no face is more terrible to the offender then the face offended which made the Prince make his protestation calling God and man to witness of the injury done him by the Emperor to whom he was neither subject by Obligation nor Birth that when his brother was made King of Portugal he was in the Emperors service and wholly ignorant of any design of his brothers that if the King of Spain were offended he should revenge himself upon the person offending that that business no way concerned the Emperor c. All these Allegations the Emperor confessed to be true by a messenger sent to the Infante in prison again assuring him that he would not deliver him up to his enemies but that he could not release him for some reason of State which made Don Francisco de Sosa Contigno Ambassador extraordinary from Portugal to the King of Sweden in the name of the King his Master represent at large to the Diet at Ratisbone the whole proceedings requiring Justice and liberty for the Infante But it is in vain to plead against Interest all the Manifesto's Protestations Petitions and Intercessions made produced no other effect then the removal of the Infante from place to place that still as he was the farther off he might have the harder usage But hitherto the Emperor seemed immoveable able in his resolution of not delivering up the Infante into the hands of the Spaniards till tempted with what made Iudas betray his master and our blessed Savior to death Money he consented to the breach of his resolve for upon the promise of forty thousand Crowns contrary to the immunities of the Empire to the Priviledges of free Princes to the Law of Nations and to his word and promise so often reirerated he consented that that Noble and innocent Prince should be sent whither the Catholique King should think fit so away he was hurried towards the Castle of Millain there to remain a prisoner By the way as he entred into the Spanish Territories he was received by the Count de Sirnela Governor of that Dukedome where the Emperors Commissary took leave to return to whom D. Duarte openly said Tell thy Master that I am more sorry I have served so unworthy a Prince then to see my self sold a Prisoner into the hands of my enemies but the just judge of the world will one day suffer the like dealing towards his children who are no more priviledged for being of the house of Austria then my self that am of the blood Royal of Portugal and posterity will â—udge of him and me The Emperor had given instruction to those that convoyed the Infanta that in case their prisoner made an attempt to escape they should kill him upon the place being arrived in Millain he was clapt in the Common gate with all the Rogues and Banditty having a guard lodged with him in his Chamber so rude that they would scarce admit him to take his rest Thus was this generous but unfortunate Prince rewarded for having left his Country kindred friends interest for having at his own proper cost and charges served the Empire eight years for having always and upon all occasions ventured his life with the most daring and yet expecting no other pay but thanks nor other recompence but honor King Iohn was extreamly perplexed at this inhumane barbarism used to his Brother which he vowed fully to revenge with Arms but he could for the present do it no otherwise then defensively by reason of the continual inroades the Castilians made into Portugal About the beginning of the year 1642. notwithstanding the Truce that had been concluded between Portugal and Holland and that a great Fleet of Hollanders had been sent to assist the Portugal against the Spaniard there passed very high Acts of Hostility between the two Nations in Africa and America beyond the Line for the Hollanders seeing the disunion of Portugal from Castile made all speed possible to perfect the Conquest of those parts before a perfect Peace should be concluded with Portugal that so in the Treaty they might pretend reason that all things should continue in the state they were then found To this purpose that is the expediting their Conquest the Hollanders treacherously whilest there was all quiet and peaceable Commerce held between the two Nations in the kingdom of Angola surprized the Portugals that were Governors of the place killed divers and robbed all of the great wealth they there found of which perfidiousness as also of the barbarous usage of the prisoners there taken complaints were made to the States General at the Hague but no redress granted nor was the King of Portugal of ability to force it In the mean time the affairs in Portugal were a little discomposed by the general discontent and distast taken at the Secretary of State Don Francisco de Lucena This man had lived a long time in the Court of Spain till he was by Olivarez made under-Secretary to Vasconsellos his readiness to Proclaim King Iohn and his abilities in the place made the King continue him in it reposing in him so great a confidence that though some had advertized his Majesty that he kept correspondence with the Court at Madrid yet the King would not suspect him nor permit him to be brought to a Trial. But about the middle of the year 1643. the urgent affairs of the kingdom requiring a Convention of the three Estates they openly refused all Acts that should pass the hands of Secretary Lucena positively telling his Majesty that until he were brought to Tryal no Acts should pass in the Assembly of Estates nor any farther proceedings be made His Majesty was very much grieved hereat yet prudently resolved to give his Subjects satisfaction by delivering up his Secretary to Justice yet resolving he should have a fair Tryal and â—o that purpose sitting himself to hear the Witnesses examined Whilest Process was framed against the Secretary some secret advice came to his Majesty which caused the imprisonment of the brother and three servants of the Secretary together with an English Monck and a Cavalier of the habit not long after the Secretary was arraigned and condemned for betraying his truth in holding correspondence with the enemy and in neglecting timely to advertise the Infanta Edward to retire out of Germany c. and according to his sentence executed in a publique place in Lisbon where at his death he protested his innocency touching any treachery towards His Majesty The death of the Secretray both pleased the people and satisfied the Assembly of Estates who now according to His Majesties command met on September 18. 1643 and being all sate and His Majesty seaâ—ed
zeal and devotion towards God yet he must needs advise him that God had placed him as King and Governor over his people that the Divine Majesty would be better pleased if he would with his prayers to the Almighty for their welfare add his care for their protection that it was a duty incumbent upon him to provide for his subjects felicity as of parents for their children whilest according to the Apostle He that does not take care for his family was worse then an infidel that for want of his superintendency the kingdom was posting into the road of destruction by reason of the ill administration of his Ministers that according to his duty he could not but advise him to free them from oppression c. These Speeches of the Arch Bishop extreamly stirred up the Kings affections to his people both because he was sensible of the great love the Arch Bishop bore him and because he knew what he had spoken was truth he therefore takes the Helm of State into his own hands calls those unjust Steward to account frees the people from their oppresses where he finds cause punishes them severely and finally makes several Laws for the good and benefit of the people whose affections he in short time so far gained that they surnamed him the Good And having thus setled his kingdom to the content of his subjects at home he next applies his minde to the aggrandising of it to which purpose in the year 1500. he fitted out a great number of ships which he divided into three Fleets sending one towards the East the second towards the West and the third towards the South to make discoveries That which steered their couse towards the East were the first Christian Fleet that ever passed the Cape of Good-Hope and found out the passage by Sea into the East-Indies that towards the West made discovery and took possession of Brazile in America that towards the South reinforced and added to their former Conquests in the kingdoms of Conga and Angola These happy discoveries thus made at the return of the fleet from the East-Indies a more potent was sent out with a convenient Land Army to take possession of some places in the Country these discomfited the great Armies of the Turks and Sultan of Egypt possessed themselves of the Island of Ormus in the Persian Gulf an Island so rich and well situated that the Arabians used to say that if the whole world were a ring that would be like the Diamond in it many other Forts and Places upon the Sea-coast they likewise subjected and fortified and returned home richly laden Thus were the riches of India which before had been brought over the vast Arabian deserts upon the backs of Camels to Grand Cairo in Egypt and from thence by Sea transported to Venice and so dispersed over these parts of the World were now brought home by Sea a longer but less chargeable and far quicker way Emanuel while his Fleets were performing these glorious services abroad governed his kingdoms in peace and prosperity at home blessed with a noble and numerous Issue to wit six sons and two daughters the sons were first Prince Iohn who succeeded him in the kingdom secondly the Infante D. Lewis thirdly the Infante D. Alfonso who was after a Cardinal Arch-Bishop of Lisbon and Abbot of Alcobaza fourthly the Infante D. Henry Cardinal and Arch-Bishop of Braga fifthly Infante D. Fernando sixthly the Infante D. Edward The daughters were first the Infante Isabella who was married to Charles the fifth that famous Emperor and King of Spain and secondly the Infante Beatrice married to Emanuel Duke of Savoy Emanuel having long governed this Nation to his great glory and renown at last in the seventy third year of his life and forty first of his Empire yielded to fate at Lisbon in or about the year 1435. and was buried in the Cathedral of that City amongst many of his Ancestors He was a Prince in whom the Divinity seem'd to have been at a strife whether his body or minde should be made more amiable for the features of his face were worthily to be admired yet his outward part could not boast more beauty then his soul could that imbellisher of man vertue I can not well say whether he was more severe or merciful but where he met with offences that he could not pardon he was always pitiful in sum he so lived and so ruled that he deservedly merited that Glorious Name of Emanuel the Good JOHN the III. Fifteenth KING of PORTVGAL JOhn the third of that Name who succeeded his father in the kingdom was born in the year 1504. and educated in the University of Conimbria in all those Sciences befitting a Prince he arrived at the Crown at the age of one and thirty years Heir as well to his fathers vertues as kingdoms He prosecuted those discoveries made by the Fleets of his father in the East and West Indies in the first of which he took and possessed many Islands and Towns his Armies encountred and overthrew the potent and formidable kings of Bengala Pegu and Siam and likewise obtained many signal Victories over the Moors of Malacca Sumatra and Molucco who were as well provided of Artillery as any Princes of Europe His Armies in West Indies had no worse success taking and fortifying divers places noâ— was fortune less favorable to him in Guiny During his fathers life-time being about the age of three and twenty years he was married to Catherine sister to Charles the fifth Emperor and King of Spain by whom he had Issue Prince Iohn who died during his reign but left behind him a son named Sebastian who succeeded this Iohn his Grand-father in the kingdom Iohn the third reigned in all eight and thirty years making many Laws for the increasing and encouragement of Traffique to the great enriching of his subjects he died in the sixty ninth year of his age and in the year of our Lord 1573. being buried in the Cathedral at Lisbon SEBASTIAN the I. Sixteenth KING of PORTVGAL SEbastian Grand-child of King Iohn the third was his successor in the kingdom which he entred into at about three and twenty years of age Scarce was he well seated in his Throne or had sat in it much above a year and a half when he was by Ambassadors from Muly Mahamet then turned out of his kingdoms of Fesse and Morocco by his Unkle Abdemelech implored to aid him in the recovery of his kingdom with promise that if by his means he could drive out Abdemelech he would freely resign to Sebastian the kingdom of Morocco and content himself with that of Fesse Ambition of glory and hopes to propagate the Christian Religion makes Sebastian readily undertake the enterprize and to that purpose makes all possible speed to levy Men and Arms he sends to Phillip the second King of Spain who promises him the assistance of ten thousand men but fails yet Sebastian not discouraged resolves with his own forces
to surrender when a Castellane who was there a prisoner and under sentence of death for the surrendry of a Fort in Brazile shut out the captain who was gone to parly with the Portugueses and resolved to defend it many days he might have held it out the siege but finding neither ammunition nor provision consumed as was believed on purpose by the Captain who unwilling to have the blot of a Traytor cast upon him for so suddain a delivery thought it fitter to be forced by necessity to open the gates to the Marquess After the surrendry of Fort San Giuliano the Marquess of Ferreira in the name of the King gave the Sacrament of Fidelity or an Oath of Allegiance to all the Orders to wit to the Clergy Nobility and Commons which was received with so much readiness that had not the Marquess seen the necessary orders observed the people had run into certain inconveniences so much they strived to prevent one another in willingness to perform this duty On Thursday the sixth of February His Majesty made his entrance into Lisbon with all these applauses that a beloved King can expect from his most loving Subjects The rich Liveries given by the Nobles the Triumphal Arches the Streets hung with Tapestry the multitudes of the people flocking to see him and the excellent Fire-works which were so many that a Spaniard cryed out Es possible que se quita un Reyno a el Rey D Felippe cun solas Luminarias vivas sinmas exerciâ—â— in Poder Gran senal y efeto sin Duda del Brazo de dios todo Poderoso Is it possible that King Phillip should be deprived of a Kingdom with onely lights and Fire-works without a powerful Army certainly this is an evident token that 't is the Almighty hand of God were the least demonstrations of that Cities love and joy so great was the concourse of those that flocked to see their new king that though his Majesty entred into the City by Noon he could not through the throng arrive at the Palace till two hours after Sun-set curiosity and love which usually have the force to stir up all affections made this people flock so fast to the sight of their Prince And because it is prudence in a publique joy to accomodate ones self to the will of the most even those who either for envy or some other cause hated the house of Braganza did not cease to make some demonstration of reverence and mirth and by how much the more they thought themselves observed by so much the more they strove to seem other then they were His Majesty being arrived at the Palace instead of reposing himself addicted himself wholly to consult about carrying on the war knowing well that onely labour produces true rest The first consultations were concerning the expugnation of the Tower of St. Iohn which of all the Forts in the kingdom only held out for the Catholick King To reduce this Cittadel the Marquess of Ferreira was sent in person with a numerous Army though for the most part tumultuary and ill ordered but what they wanted in discipline they supplyed in affection not refusing to engage themselves in the extreamest dangers for two days the Marquess found strong resistance but on the third day it yeilded as it is supposed forced rather by bullets of Gold then of Iron Don Antonio de Mascarendas with a Portuguese garrison was appointed commander of this Fortress which he very diligently repaired not onely of the dammages now received by Battery but with other necessary fortifications to bring it to greater perfection The Kingdom thus suddenly reduced to the devotion of King Iohn the fourth the several Governors were commanded to their Countries to levy Forces who listed the inhabitants indifferently from the age of Eighteen to Sixty in whom they found so much disposition that many offered their estates and their lives and would follow the Colours although they had licence to depart On the 25 of the same month followed the a Coronation of His Majesty accompanied with all those applauses and demonstrations of joy which could proceed from a people of infinite Riches who weary of the Command of strangers were consequently ambitious of a King of their own Nation In the publique Place before the Palace upon a most sumptuous Theater was erected a great Stage and upon that a less upon the top of which but three steps higher stood a Chair of State under a Canopy all covered over with Cloth of Gold About noon His Majesty came forth of his Palace Royal in a Suite of Chesnut coloured Velvet embroidered with Gold and buttons richly set with Diamonds about his neck was a Collar of great vallue whereunto hung the badge of the chief Order of Knight-hood called El Ordine di Christo. He was girded with a gilt Sword his Robe was Cloth of Gold lined with white wrought with Gold and flowers the Sword was born before him by Don Francisco De Alello Marquis of Ferreira High Constable of the Kingdom and before him was the Kings Banner displayed by Fernando Telles de Meneses Earl Marshal before him went D. Manrique De Silva Marquess of Govea Steward of the Kings Houshold and so in order his Nobles and Grandees of the Realm one before another before all went Portugal King at Arms with the Heralds Pursevants c. His Majesty being ascended the Stage and having placed himself in the Chair of Estate had the Crown set upon his Head and the Scepter delivered to him with the accustomed Ceremonies by the Archbishop of Lisbon which done he spoke to His Majesty to this effect Behold O most Sacred Majesty these your Subjects who do more rejoyce to see this day then of all the days of their lives They rejoyce to see the Crown of Portugal returned into its Ancient stock they rejoyce to have found a Father who will govern them like Children not Tyrannize over them like slaves They here Great SIR offer their estates their lives and oblige themselves to run through all the accidents of fortunes to establish that Crown upon your Head which now with so much devotion with so much readiness they have placed upon it They cannot sufficiently express their affections to Your Majesty could they bring their hearts and lay them down at your Majesties feet they would not refuse to do it so sure are they that they have found a King all goodness all love who will not let slip any means for the Establishing of the Crown for the quiet of His Subjects for augmenting his Dominions and for the conservation of those priviledges which have been written with the blood of our progenitors Be your Majesty graciously pleased to accept this common resentment expressed pressed by my mouth there being nothing that more comforts the mindes of good Subjects than the pleasing of their Prince The good old Prelate spoke these words with so much feeling that the tears of his eyes testified the affection of his heart To
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
three Millions of Gold for Her Portion and that the King of Portugal would for seven Years maintain eighteen Men of War at Sea for the defence and service of the French Crown Long was this business in negotiation and by many thought would have taken effect the Agent being very highly carressed both by the King and Queen mother of France but whether by reason of Cardinal Mazarine's dislike of it or other reasons of State it was prolonged by continual demurs till after the King of Portugals death and then wholly broken off For King Iohn being now arrived to about fifty years of Age in the sixteenth year of his Reign and in the year of our Lord 1656. on the 6. of November S. N. paid his last debt to nature having a long time been troubled with an obstruction in the kidneys occasioned by the stone and gravel which was so sharp all the time of his sickness that he seldom urined and when he did it was in so little quantity that it did scarce at all ease him this violent pain put him into a Burning-feaver which in ten days overpressed his vitals Before his death he appointed Donna Lucia his Queen to be Regent of the Kingdom during the minority of D. Alphonso her son recomâ—eâ—ding to her for-Assistants in the management of so great burden as a Crown the reverend D Emanuel Archbishop of Lisbon Don Runlio Marquess of Nisa the Earl of Canvandake and some others whose abilities love and fidelity he had experience of He had by his Queen Donna Lucia Daughter to the Duke of Medina Sidonia four Children onely two of which survived him to wit Alfonso who succeeded him in the Kingdom and is at present King of Portugal and the Infanta Catharina who was born the year before her Father came to the Crown a Princess in whom all vertues seem to flow that can make her the worthy Daughter of such renowned Parents her beauteous body being amply repleate with her generous Mothers spirit whose magnanimity and prudence all the world have admired his other two children were the Prince Theodosio who was so unfortunate as to die some time before his Father and a Daughter who died young He was a person of a very comely presence his countenance pleasant but inclinning to swarthiness his body about a middle stature yet comely and well proportioned nor were the lineaments of his mind less becoming then those of his body though if ye believe common fame he was none of the wisest Kings that ever Portugal could boast of the reason that he left so much of the reins of the Government to his wife a woman of a masculine and politick spirit from whence perhaps that jesting Spaniard might take occasion to say That it was not the Portugal force but the Spanish policy that kept that kingdom from the Catholique King alluding to the Queens being a Spaniard He was buried in the great Church of St. Vincenza del Foro with all accustomed and becomming ceremonies lamented by those Kings who had been his Allies especially be the King of France who honored his memory with a most magnificent Funeral solemnity himself attended by most of the Nobles and Parliament of France gracing it with his presence at the Church of Nostre Dame where after the singing of Mass the Bishop of Vance pronounced a Funeral Oration suitable to so Royal a subject and occasion ALFONSO the VI. The Two and twentieth KING of PORTVGAL KIng Iohn the fourth being thus deceased his onely surviving Son Alphonso the 6th of that name succeeded being about the Age of fourteen years his Mother during his minority administring the affairs of the Kingdom and causing him to be Crowned on the 14 of November eight days after the death of his Father The whole Kingdom of Portugal was in a kind of amaze at the so sudden death of King Iohn especially considering the youth of their present King fearing lest their common enemies should now take advantage of them but the prudent management of the most important business of State by the Queen Regenâ— soon banished all those fancied fears The Queen being sensible that upon this occasion of the Kings death she should have most occasion to use the Souldiery by the advice of her Council ordered all the Infantry of the Kingdom should have half a years pay the better to incourage them who were of themselves ready enough to fight against their common and inveterate enemy the Castilians And because she knew that the King of Spain would loose no opportunity to oppress the Kingdom of Portugal she thought it imprudence to let any slip where any advantage might be gained upon him and therefore all the Spanish Forces being drawn out of Andaluzia to oppose the English in case they should attempt to land at Cadiz for they then blocked up that Port with a Potent Fleet she commanded four thousand Horse to make an inroad into that country who plundered and layed waste all before them bringing away between forty and fifty thousand head of Cattel and leaving the whole soil in a manner desolate This so exasperated the Spaniards that draining most of the Garisons of his Kingdom he raised a potent Army and with ten thousand Foot and five thousand Horse entred Portugal and laid Siege to the strong City of Olivenza which at length they reduced to that necessity that the defendants were willing to capitulate sounded a parly but when they came to treat the Spaniards would not admit the King of Portugal any other title then that of Dâ—ke of Braganza which made the Portugals renounce any farther treating But at length the Spaniards condescending to treat the Town was delivered upon Articles but so much did the Queen Regent and Councel of Portugal resent it that they immediately gave order to arrest the person of Don Mandiol de Saldagna the Governour who with several of his chief Officers was by the Count de St. Lorenze General of the Portuguese Forces in those parts sent prisoner to Lisbon there to answer their ill defending of that town it appearing that at the surrendring of it there marched our two thousand two hundred well Armed Foot and one hundred Horse nor were they reduced to that necessity that was pretended there remaining in the stores of Ammunition and provision sufficient to have defended the town a great while longer The loss of this place was a great blow to the Portugueses it being a strong Frontier town and giving the Spaniard absolute command a great way into the Country but this the King of Spain resolved should be but a beginning of his conquest if possible of this Kingdom for he still made all preparations he could to assault it with a greater force and not onely endeavoured this with might and main to oppress it himself but by his Ambassadors solicited the States General of the United Provinces to send their Vice-Admiral Opdam with the Fleet he then had before Dantzick into Portugal to demand
satisfaction for the dammage the Portugals had done to their West-India company in Brazile and in case the King of Portugal should deny to comply with their desires to force them to a composition The High and Mighty States easily listned to this councel and Vice-Admiral Opdam with a potent Fleet was sent to Lisbon carrying with him some Commissioners from the States to make their demands which the Queen Regent and Council thought so unreasonable that they could not return any satisfactory answer to them whereupon the Commissioners departed But Opdam still stayed with his Fleet to wait an opportunity of catching the Brazile Fleet in their return home many of which notwithstanding the care and endeavours of the Portugueses to prevent it he made prize of and sent into Holland By this means was the War which for many years had been maintained between the Hollanders and Portugals on the other side the line transferred to this side which the King of France endeavoured by all meanes possible before it's eruption to prevent and afterwards to compose by his Ambassadors Monsieur de Thou in Holland and the Sieur de Comings in Portugal but to no effect Thus assaulted by two potent Nations both by Sea and by Land were the Portugueses which yet made them not at all falter in their courage and resolution the generous Queen Regent causing all possible Leavyes to be made to oppose the Castilian sending into Barbary to buy horses and by Leagues abroad endeavoring to strengthen the interest of the Kingdom an Ambassador was sent to that purpose into England to renew and confirm the Amity before concluded on and many conferences there were between the Archbishop of Goa who had before been Ambassador in France and the Sieur de Comings so that many were in hopes that the Match between the King of France and the Infanta would have gone forward and an indissoluble League both defensive offensive been concluded between the two Nations And to joyn force to policy a gallant Army of about sixteen thousand Foot and three thousand Horse aâ—l Portugueseâ— took the field and in revenge for the loss of Olivenza laid siege to Mouron which in three or four days they took by storm putting 1500 Spaniards to the Sword and resolved to proceed to the regaining of Badayox and Olivenza and to that purpose marching without opposition by Caya which they left fortified they came to the Fort of St. Christopher the strongest hold of the City of Badayox which they several days battered and thrice stormed but were beaten off yet at the length they took it and so securely entrenched themselves about the whole City The Duke of Ossima General of the Castilian horse having notice of this streight siege of the City endeavoured with sixteen hundred Horse to cut off their convoys and provisions but the Count del Prado governour of Elvas receiving advice of his design sallied out of the City with three companies of Horse and all the Foot he had to prevent him by which means Ossima was encompassed on both sides for at the same time that he was on the other part charged by Don Andrea D' Albuquerque General of the Portuguese horse and that with so much gallantry that they presently discomfited their enemies slew four hundred upon the place took three hundred prisoners and forced the Duke of Ossima to save himself by swinning This happy success encouraged them to return with more alacrity to the siege which they prosecuted with all vigor possible and on the three and twentieth of Iune stormed and took a Redoubt which was palisadosed but at length when they had spent much time blood and treasure they were enforced by the powerful Army of Don Lewis de Haro to raise their Siege For the King of Spain exsperated with the loss of Mouron and fearing likewise to loose Badayox had rallyed a great Army which he committed to the care of his favorite Don Lewis de Haro who not onely with it raised the siege from before Badayox but likewise so straightly besieged Elvas one of the Portugueses strongest Frontier-towns the taking of which might have endangered the whole Kingdom and reduced it to such necessity that it was even upon the point of yielding But the Portugals who knew of how much importance it was to them had ever been anxious for its relief and therefore having at length bravely recruited their Army they advanced with full resolution to drive the Spaniards out of their Trenches nor did they effect it less bravely then they had resolved it for they totally routed their General Don Lewis de Haro very hardly escaping but in this battel the Portuguez lost the worthy Albuquerque General of the horse And to counterpoise this victory the strong Fortress of Mounson upon the borders of Gallicia was surrendred to the Spaniards and a Party of the Portugals not having advice that it was already possessed by the Castilians going to relieve it were surprized and forced shamefully to retreat with the loss of some hundreds and this Success encouraged the Spaniards under the command of the Marquis of Viana to besiege the onely City the Portugals were possest of on the River Minho but it was relieved by the Portugals The Spaniards likewise gained a signal Victory over a Party of Portugal Horse nigh Alcantara for advice being brought to the Governor of that Town that the Portuguez with a party of four hundred Horse were entring upon the Frontiers in two Bodies he taking five hundred Horse and a select Party of Foot went to meet them and so handsomly managed his business that he surprized one whole Body scarce a man escaping 〈◊〉 Commissary General five Captains and several other Officers being taken Prisoners But these things were inconsiderable disadvantages to the interest of Portugal in respect of what it was like to feel by the Peace which was treating of between those two mighty Monarchs of France and Spain which the Queen Regent and Council were sensible of and therefore dispatcht Don Iohn D' Acosta Ambassador Extraordinary to the French Court to represent unto his Most Christian Majesty the state of the Kingdom of Portugal and to insist that there might be a due Consideration had of the Interest of his Master in the concluding of the Peace with Spain seeing he had formerly approved himself so good an Ally to the Crown of France But this Embassie could produce no other effect than a promise to endeavor a Mediation for them with the King of Spain and procure them good tearms upon Submission which by the magnanimous Portugueses was rejected with indignation Nor were they at all daunted with the great power of the Spaniard which he intended to imploy against them but manfully resolved to endure all hazards yet would they willingly have concluded a Peace with the Hollanders and to that purpose Don Fernando Tellez de Faro Duke of Alvero was sent Ambassador to the States General but he like a treacherous villain
corps were healed Mafalda was espoused to Henry the first King of Castile although allied to him in a forbidden degree wherefore this marriage was likewise declared void and she emulating her sister built a Monastery of the Cistercian Order and is reported likewise to have done many Miracles particularly in the year 1627. when her Tomb was opened Sancha the third daughter became a Nun of the Order of St. Francis who lived about this time Bianca and Beringella died young and were buried in Conimbria right against their fathers Tombe though some write otherwise After the death of the Queen Aldonsa which happened in the year 1138. King Sancho gave himself over to the love of diverse Ladies amongst whom he had many children who proved most of them his greatest vexation and disquiet for the pleasures of the senses do not terminate but in the sence of grief At last arrived at the age of 57. years in the 26. year of his reign oppressed in Conimbria by an incurable disease he took leave of this world He was buried in the Church of the Holy Cross on the left side of the Altar in the great Chappel where King Emanuel built him a Sepulchre like to that of his father he left infinite riches which by his Will he divided amongst all his children making no difference between the legitimate and the illegitimate he by his Will supplicated Pope Innocentius the fourth to be his Executor for which he left in Legacy a hundred weight of Gold a gift without doubt worth his pains King Sancho was for vertue and for goodness singular in his age a worthy son of so renowned a father he proved fortunate in the utmost events of War and then did his triumphs flow in upon him when he dispaired of Victory he left it yet in doubt whether he were more wise or more valiant he always snowed himself so great an enemy to sloth and idleness that to avoid it he would not disdain sometimes to throw down the Scepter and hold the plow Fortune who was his friend in War was his foe in Peace for then besides the vexation that he could not vex his enemies he was likewise enforced to bear the injuries of the Land Sea and Skies in sum he was a King worthy the greatest Incomiums if he had not too much drowned all his other vertues in illicite Loves ALFONSO the II. Third King of Portugal ALfonsâ— the second succeeded to Sancho the first he was born in Conimbria on St. Georges day anno 1185. At 27. years old he was Crowned King with the envy of his brothers who little younger then he could hardly confine themselves within the bounds of Allegiance and to their discontents did the Legacies left by Sancho give new motives for Alphonso either out of avaritious desire of riches or out of obstinacy detained from them a great part of what was left them by their father These sinister thoughts of the then Prince Alphonso were discerned by his father before his death which made him leave to the brothers beside some Cities and Castles five hundred thousand Crowns in gold But scarce was his father dead but he began to contend with his brothers and sisters about their inheritance and because his brothers were retired into Elginera and Alenquar Fortresses given them by their father he under pretence that they could not be allienated from the Crown gathered together an Army to possess himself of them which he easily performed his brothers wanting money to hire soldiers and so not being able to make the least resistance His brothers thus driven out of the kingdom fled to the Pope for redress then in great veneration because he then pursued no other interest but justice who commanded Alfonso to remit the difference to indifferent Judges who necessitated to obey chose rather to accommodate the business with indifferent Judges then to run the hazard of a sentence He employed himself afterwards by the advice of Matthew Bishop of Lisbone to fight against the Moors and though these came assisted with ninety five thousand men yet were they forced to yield the Victory to him with the loss of thirty thousand soldiers and four Kings who were slain in the battel Alfonso for some years prosecuted this War but in time he grew so extream fat that he was unable to perform not only those great exercises incumbent on a soldier but every simple motion of the body yet for all that he ceased not to apply himself with extream diligence to prosecute the greatest affairs of State and where he could not in person he present to send such commands as shewed him to be both of great experience and wisdom He married with Uracca daughter to Alfonso the eighth or as others say the ninth King of Castile and Leonora or Elinor daughter to Henry the second King of England by her he had divers children the first was Sancho who succeeded his father in the kingdom Alfonso the second son whom by right of his wife was chosen Duke of Bologna and afterwards came to be King of Portugal The third son was called Ferdinand who obtained the principality of Serpa and married Sancia Fernandez daughter of Ferdinand Count of Castile The fourth died a childe called Vincenzo The last was a daughter called Leonora and was married to the King of Dacia Alfonso arrived to the eight and fortieth year of his age and one and twentieth of his kingdom when in the year 1233. he was constrained to pay the last debt to nature He was buried in Alobaccia in a little Church built by himself more for devotion then magnificence But after many years the Abbot Giorgio di Melo causing that little Church to be demolished carried his bones to that of St. Vincenzo where they now repose in a most sumptuous sepulcher Under this King as many affirm lived for certain time St. Antonio Protector of the City of Padona a Saint held in great veneration among the Roman Catholiques he was a native of Lisbon not so much esteemed for the Nobility of his birth as for his holy life Alfonso taking away his extream fatness was a man of a very comely presence and of singular eloquence his nature did make him pleasant with all but onely those of his own blood which fault in him did much diminish his subjects love and that general respect was due to him though he was a man noted for covetousness yet he oftentimes gave great gifts to his friends and always consumed the greatest part of the revenue of the kingdom The Portugueses while his father was alive did extreamly desire him for their King but did not at all now lament his death either because new things always please the people or else because he after his fathers death shewed himself indifferent from himself or from what they thought him whereupon not being wholly like his Progenitors he renewed in his subjects their grief for their loss SANCHO the II. Fourth KING of PORTVGAL SAncho the second who
the Kings right Moreover a Truce is to be made with the Catalonians whereby they being freed from the tumultuous courses of War will have time to take notice of the French insolencies and growing weary of that yoake will at length eaâ—ily embrace the next opportunity to return to their obedience which once effected will make the people of Portugal waver betwixt hopes and fears and beget variety of opinions amongst them which for the Conquering of kingdoms the Emperor Iulian used to say was much more advantageous then the force of an Army as the Grand-father of your Majesty found in the Succession of Portugal To this may be added that it will be very expedient that your Majesty name Bishops to dispose of all Governments and Offices of the Crown to the most confiding persons in that kingdom for this will beget distrust amongst them all and the ignorant people not knowing whom to trust will put all into confusion whereby your Majesties service will be more easily advanced This in obedience to your Majesties commands I have imparted my weak advice wherein if I have erred your Majesties goodness will attribute it to my want of abilities not of affection God preserve the Catholick and Royal Person of your Majesty as the Christian World and we your Majesties Subjects have need But notwithstanding all these endeavors and these proposed Artifices nothing prevailed towards the King of Spain's recovery of this kingdom nor was it probable that any of these deceits ever should whilest is considered the extraordinary love and affection which the whole Nation of the Portugueses bore to the Family of their present King and the inveterate hatred which did and always have born to the Castilians which was so exceeding great that it is believed they would rather have suffered themselves to be extirpated and routed out then again submit their necks to the Spanish yoake And that ever the Spaniard should again recover it per force is incredible if we either consider the Union and unanimity of the Portugal Nation and their resolutions to undergo the greatest miseries of War can inflict or the Interest of all the other Princes of Christendom who may justly suspect the encroaching greatness of the Spaniard and therefore endeavor rather to lop off more limbs from that great body then suffer this to be rejoyned But it is now high time to return to a review of the actions of the Grand Assembly of the Estates of Portugal who next resolved to dispatch Ambassadors to all States of Christendom to enter into confederacies for the better defence and establishment of the kingdom and for the glory and reputation of the King In the first place the Father Ignatius Mascarenas a Jesuite with another Father of the same Order was sent into Catalonia to offer them all assistance and supplies for their maintainance and defence against the Catholique King for very well did the King of Portugal know that it highly did import his Interest to correspond with them that so they might joyntly not onely defend but also offend the King of Spain whose Country lying betwixt them both they might at pleasure invade or molest it either by Sea or Land This Embassie of King Iohn's so rejoyced and encouraged the Catalonians that the very next day after the Ambassadors had audience they obtained a most signal Victory in their own defence against the Spaniards who had assaulted them with an Army of twenty five thousand men under the Command of the Marquis De los Veles Shortly after that the Father Ignatius Mascarenas was dispatched to the Catalonians D. Francisco de Mello and Don Antonio Caelle Carravallio persons both of excellent and admired abilities the one for his great experience and judgement in State-affairs and the other for his noble Spirit and eminent knowledge in the Civil Law to go on a solemn Embassie to the most Christian King Lewis the thirteenth of France These attended with a Stately and most Magnificent Train landed soon after at Rochel and on the fifteenth of March 1641. made a solemn Entrance into Paris being met and conducted in by a great number of Coaches filled with the Grandees of the Kingdom besides numbers of the French Nobility who came to attend them on horse-back Thus accompanied they were conducted to the Palace appointed for the Entertainment of the Extraordinary Ambassadors where they were in a sumptuous and magnificent maner feasted at the Kings charges From thence they were by the Duke of Chevereux and the Count de Brulon conducted in the Kings Coaches unto his Majesty then at St. Germains to receive the first Audience which was performed with extraordinary shows of love and respect for upon the entrance of the Ambassadors into the place appointed for their Audience the King rose out of his Chair of Estate and went forward three steps to receive them nor would he permit them to deliver their Embassie with their Hats off or to descend so low as to kiss his hands at their departure but in stead of that Ceremony he affectionately embraced them in his Arms promising them the greatest Assistance his Power was able to give They were from the Kings presence conducted to a sumptuous Dinner provided for them and after that brought to the Queens Lodging who was set to expect their coming at their entrance she likewise rose and advanced three steps to meet them receiving them with a cheerful and courteous countenance and not permitting them to be uncovered Amongst other Discourses which they had with her D. Francisco de Mello told her That he feared his Embassie might not be acceptable because the King his Master had deprived her Brother of one of his kingdoms Whereunto she readily replyed That though she was sister to the King of Spain yet she was wife to the King of France After some Discourse in French her Majesty began to speak to them in Spanish which they observing desired to know wherefore her Majesty had not vouchsafed them that favor sooner it being a Language by them better understood To which the Queen jestingly answered For fear they should be frighted to hear her speak Spanish and the Embassador to improve the jest replyed Como a tam Grand Signora si pero como a Castiliano no that it was true considering her Greatness but not her Countrey The Queen smilingly went on promising them all assistance possible and wishing all prosperity to King Iohn and his Queen and so they having delivered her Majesty a Letter from the Queen of Portugal took their leave From her Majesty they went to visit his Eminence the Cardinal Richlieu who being advertised of their coming came forward to the third Chamber to meet them where he received them with expressions of great affection and promises and proffers of services and from thence conducted them to his own Chamber Being all three sate the Cardinal who was the most experienced and greatest Statesman of his time discoursed with them of divers affairs of
great importance and they endeavored to explain to his Eminence what was before his sentiment that it very much imported the two Crowns of France and Portugal to be united by an indissoluble League considering that it was the chief and principal end and aim of the House of Austria whose branches were spread over almost all Europe not onely to be the greatest but to be the sole and onely Monarch of Christendom That to effect those ambitious desires he had never made scruple to usurp and seize upon Kingdoms and States upon the least pretences imaginable as had appeared in the kingdoms of Naples Sicily Navarre the Dutchy of Millan and lately several States in Germany seizing upon the Valtoline whereby they had a passage open to lead an Army of Germans into Italy at pleasure That considering the vast power and interest that this Family had not onely in Europe but also in America it could not but be confessed that they had a large foundation of their imaginary universal Monarchy but that nothing gave them so great hopes as the possession of Portugal For by the addition of that Kingdom to the Crown of Castile they became absolute Masters not onely of all Spain but of all the East-Indies of all the Eastern Trade of Ethiopia Persia Arabia China Iapan and all that incredible wealth that was raised out of the Portugal Traffick whereby the Austrian Greatness if not their Monarchy was principally sustained that therefore it concerned all States whatsoever not onely to put a stop to the raving Tyranny of this devouring Monster but to suppress and lessen his Power by all means possible That to do this none was more concerned or more able than the Kingdom of France united with that of Portugal That this having bin called the Right Arm as Catalonia the Left of that great Austrian Colossus now both being separated from it and united to France will be able to do greater service against it than they were ever forced to do for it not onely by assaulting the Spaniard within his own doors but by intercepting the Plate-Fleet which in its return from the West-Indies it being necessarily forced to pass by the Tercera Islands must run in danger of the Portuguez Fleet or be forced to be at the charge of an extraordinary Convoy These were the sum of the Ambassadors discourses to the Cardinal In answer to which his Eminence made offer not onely of all the Assistance of the most Christian King his Master but that he would disburse himself for the service of the King of Portugal promising that he would presently send thither a Fleet of twenty Sayl with his Nephew Admiral and Ambassador Extraordinary This Treatment thus ended the Ambassadors took their leaves his Eminence waiting upon them as far as the Stairs which when they endeavored to hinder he replyed That the Ambassadors of the King of Portugal were to be treated with as much respect as those of the Emperor or Pope Few days after a Iuncto of the King of France his Council were appointed to treat with the Ambassadors in the House of the Lord High Chancellor of the kingdom where a Peace was fully concluded between the two Kingdoms of France and Portugal Other Ambassadors were about the same time that the afore-mentioned were sent into France dispatched into England for it very much concerned the Kingdom of Portugal to maintain a good Correspondence with the Crown of England both in regard of the Navigation and Commerce of both States and also the better to break that Amity and good Understanding which was now held between the Crown of Spain and that State Hither therefore were sent Don Antonio D' Almado and Don Francisco D' Averado Leilon both persons of exquisite parts who notwithstanding that the Dunkirkers chased them arrived safe in England And for all the sturdy endeavors of the Spanish Ambassadors they were received on shore with abundance of respect yet His Majesty of England would not give them Audience or accept of the Ambassage from the King of Portugal so tender was He of His Honor and Conscience till Don Antonio de Sosa their Secretary had drawn up a Paper to satisfie him of the Right and Title of the Duke of Braganza to the Crown of Portugal The sum of which was Vpon the Death of King Henry the Cardinal without Issue many pretended together with the Infanta Donna Catherina Dutchess of Braganza and Grandmother to this present King to the Crown of Portugal but all their pretences wanting foundation soon fell except that of Philip the second King of Spain who propt up his with force King Henry was Vncle equally near to both but with this difference Catherine was the Daughter of a Son named Edward and Philip was the son of a daughter named Isabella brother and sister to King Henry King Philip pleaded That he being in equal degree with Catherine was to be preferred for his Sex Catherine replyed That the constitution of that Kingdom allowing Females to succeed and withal the benefit of Representation in all Inheritances she representing Edward must exclude Philip by the very same right that her father if he were living would exclude Philips mother This Conclusion is infallible in Jure whereto Philip answered That successiou of Kingdoms descending Jure sanguinis there was allowed no Representation Catherine destroyed that foundation alledging That the Succession by the death of the last King was derived Jure haereditatis non sanguinis because the Succession of Kingdoms was to be regulated by that ancient way whereby all things descended by Inheritance the other way of Succession being not known until later Ages nor ever practised either in Spain or Portugal in such cases Briefly in behalf of Catherine it was urged which by the Castilians can never be denied or answered That she was no stranger but a Native of the Kingdom to whom alone according to the Laws of Lamego the Crown of Portugal can appertain The King having perused and deliberated upon this Paper gave immediately order they should be presently conducted to London which was done withal convenient Solemnity and they logded in a Palace ready prepared for them soon after with great ceremony they received audience of His Majesty in a fair and stately Hall prepared for that purpose where his Majesty sat upon a Throne raised two steps and at the entrance of the Ambassador pulled off his Hat nor would be covered till they were so too To the Propositions made in the speech of D. Antonia D' Almoda concerning a Peace between Portugal and England His Majesty replied That he should be very glad if an expedient might be found out to renew the antient Leagues of friendship between the two Crowns without the breaking with Spain Some few days after the Ambassadors were conducted to give a Visit to Mary Queen of England who sat in a Chair of Estate ready to entertain them when they came into the Presence She rose out of the Chair and
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