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 Sail 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 replied That the Ambassadors of the King of Portugal were to be Treated with as much Respect as those of the Emperor or Pope Few dayes after a Juncto 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 Antonia 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 Upon the Death of King Henry the Cardinal without Issue many pretended together with the Infanta Donna Catherina Dutchess of Braganza and Grand-mother 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 Uncle 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 Succession 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 Antient 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 Castillians 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 with all convenient Solemnity and they lodged 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 sate 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 dayes after the Ambassadors were conducted to give a Visit to Mary Queen of England who sate in a Chair of Estate ready to entertain them when they came into the Presence She rose out of the Chair and 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 Thirteenth of June One thousand six hundred and forty one a Peace was absolutely concluded with the Portugal notwithstanding the earnest endeavors of Don Alonza Cardenas â—â—ger Ambassador for Spain who by Gifts and Promises even as far as the restitutioâ— of the Palatinate endeavored to hinder it The Ambassadors that were sent 〈◊〉 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 young 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 United 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 Brasil 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 opinion that the sending an Ambassador without further delay would be a testification of their duty and incline the Popes Holiness to acknowledge DON JOHN 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
Remarkable for its Beauty being the Fairest of Ten that either came before or followed it after Dinner the King and Queen took Barge in order to Their entertainment by the City of London upon the River of Thames and came to Putney about Four of the Clock in the Evening where They changed Their spare Barge and were by the Lord Chamberlain conducted on Board that Barge which was prepared to bring Them to Whitehall in which They were placed under a Canopy of Cloth of Gold adorned with Five Plumes of White and Yellow Ostrich-Feathers the Barge lined also with Cloth of Gold and Cussions of the same the two Gondeloes went on either side before in which were His Majesties Trumpets which sounded continually At Chelsey Their Majesties were met by the Lord Mayor and Aldermen in their Barge afterwards by all the Companies in their Barges with loud Musick all adorned with their several Banners and Pennons of Arms I cannot spend time to particularize the several Pageants and Representations of the Mercers Drapers Merchant-Taylors Goldsmiths c. being neither possible nor proper for this place therefore I shall only say which none but the absent will deny That the oldest person alive never saw the Thames more fully nor more Nobly covered Amid'st a Throng of a Thousand Boats and more than Ten thousand joyful Subjects Their Majesties landed at Whitehall about 7. of the Clock in the Evening where the most Excellent Princess the Queen Mother and the Dutchess of York gave Her Majesty Her Welcome which was seconded by a Tere of Artillary Planted at Stangate-Wharf over against Whitehall for that purpose the same Night afterwards being made an Artificial Day by the Number of Bone-fires and Fire-works I omit to fix a Character upon the Goodness and Beauty of this our Royal Queen as deserving a larger Room and an abler Pen or to speak of that Portion store of Money and Jewels as great as ever any Princess brought a Husband because I will not presume to meddle with those sublime particulars As also of those Advantages that the English Merchant receives by the Trade of both the Indies where the Portuguesses over-rule the Dutch and by the commodious situation of Tangier for the checking and curbing the Insolencies of the Pirates of Algier Tunis and Tripoli if at any time they break their League with England it being a place situate upon the mouth of the Streight of Gibraltar so that no Ship can pass that Streight without Licence first had from the King of Great Britain who upon this Account Commands the whole Trade of the Levant May we long enjoy Their Majesties with the Blessings we have received with Them and from Them a continued Line of Great Britains Kings that we may not want a Soveraign to Reign over us who derives his Goodness as well as Greatness from this our Soveraign Pair 18. ALPHONSO VI. Of the Name KING of PORTUGAL Algarvia Affrick Arabia Persia India and Brasil c. CHAP. XXII PORTUGAL D'argent a cinq Escussons en Croix chacun charge de cinq besans aussi d'argent posez en sautoir a la Bordure de gueulles charge de sept Chasteaux d'or trois en chef deux en fase deux en point The whole Kingdom of Portugal was in a kind of amaze at the so sudden death of Kng John 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 Regent 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 encourage them who were of themselves ready enough to fight against their common and inveterate Enemy the Castillians And because she knew that the King of Spain would lose no opportunity to oppress the Kingdom of Portugal she thought it imprudence to let any slip where an 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 in-road into that Countrey who plundered and laid 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 and sounded a Parlie but when they came to treat the Spaniards would not admit the King of Portugal any other Title than that of Duke 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 Council 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 Portuguesse Forces in those parts sent Prisoners to Lisbon there to answer their ill-defending of that Town it appearing That at the surrendring of it there marched out 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 Portuguesses it being a strong Frontier Town and giving the Spaniard absolute Command a great way into the Countrey 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 only 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 damage the Portugals had done to their West-India Company in Brazil 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 counsel 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
Vasconcellius and had Reigned about Two and twenty He never married although there were proposals made of three several wives Isabel of Austria Daughter of the King of Spain Margaret of France Daughter of King Henry II. and also another Isabel of Austria Daughter of the Emperour Maximilian I. and Widow of the King of France Charles IX He had his Piety by inheritance having made his Religion flourish and established it in Brasille and the Indies where he founded several Churches and Colledges but more especially those of the Jesuites About two and twenty years after his decease Thuanuâ— there was a man in Italy who reported himself to be the same King SEBASTIAN and that having escaped from the Battel of Alcacer he had wandred up and down for a long time without making himself known Which being represented to the Senate of Venice with many Circumstances some believed it to be a truth others were doubtful and also many there were that supposed him to be an Imposter But certain it was that having been imprisoned at Florence and from thence conveyed to Naples and put in the Gallies he there came to a miserable end The Cardinal Henry of Portugal being exceeding old Vasconcellius against the common course of Nature succeeded King SEBASTIAN his Nephews Son Mariana Which young Prince in that Warre which he undertook in Affrick endeavouring to deliver a Nation from servitude by his imprudence rendred the greater part of his Nobility slaves to the Arabes and Moors Conestaggio and of a free Nation as it was in a small space of time was reduced under the obedience of the Castillians which they for so many years held for their capital Enemies as writeth Hierosme Franchi Conestaggio a Gentleman of Genoa who hath most judiciously discoursed this last Warre of the Portuguesses in Affrica as also the end of this Branch of the House of Portugal the Change of their Government and the Union of this Kingdom to the Crown of Castille The same Subject hath been ellegantly Written by Jaques Augustus de Thou in the History of his time and by Antonio Errera Historiographer to the King of Spain Philip II. 13. HENRY CARDINAL of PORTUGAL then Elected KING Of PORTUGAL and the ALGARVES c. CHAP. XVIII Years of CHRIST 1546 In the Year One thousand five hundred forty and six Pope Paul III. adopted him to the Sacred Colledge of Cardinals During the Reigns of his Brother and Nephews Son John III. and Sebastian he was Inquisitor Major of the Faith in Portugal After that Katherine of Austria Widow of Prince John of Portugal his Nephew Mother of young King Sebastian had quit the Regency of the Kingdom the Estates conferred it upon this Cardinal HENRY great Uncle to the young King in the Year One thousand five hundred Years of CHRIST 1562 threescore and two He exercised this Charge until the King came to age who upon his second expedition into Affrica wanting a careful person to whom he might leave the Government of the Kingdom in his absence went to Evora where HENRY at that time lived And although this Prince was not greatly pleasing to him yet did he intreat him to take this care in his absence which the Cardinal would by no means accept excusing it by reason of his age and indisposition to Rule so that the King made choice of four Governours to command in his name which were George d'Almeda Archbishop of Lisbonne Peter d'Alcasoua Francis de Sada and John Mascaregnas to whom he gave a plenipotentiary power Conestaggio After his death in Affrica these Governours committed the management of affairs to the Cardinal Thuanus who not long after was Proclaimed and Sworne King by the Portuguesses Conestaggio The Ceremony of the Portuguesses in swearing their King The Form of the Oath was performed in this manner The XXV of August the Hospital Church of All Saints was hanged with Silk Tapestry in the which they erected a Throne upon which was placed a Seat of Cloth of Gold thither came the King in the morning in the habit of a Cardinal going from the Palace there marched before him eight Attabales or Drums on Hors-back after the Moresco manner and nine Heraulds all on Hors-back carrying upon their Cloaks their Coats of Arms after followed on foot almost all the Officers of the Court those of the Chamber and other Magistrates behind them was the Duke of Braganza on Hors-back bareheaded bearing in his hand a Sword with a Scabard of Gold as Constable a little after came the Cardinal upon a Mule the which Alvara de Silva Count of Portalegre Lord Steward of his Houshold led by the reins there followed after many Noblemen and Gentlemen on Hors-back with a great number of people on foot The Cardinal invironed with a great multitude ascended the Stairs of the Hospital being entred the Church having heard Service and ended his Prayers he seated himself in the Chair of State prepared on the Throne where presently Francis de Sada one of those that had been Governours put the Scepter in his hand and Michael de Mora Secretary standing a little distant said reading it with a loud voice That King HENRY by the Death of King Sebastian did succeed in the Realm and therefore they had delivered him the Scepter and that he was come to take the accustomed Oath to maintain and observe unto his people and to any other all Liberties Priviledges and Conventions granted by his Predecessors which done the Secretary kneeling before him with an open Book the King laid his hand thereon swearing so to do Then did the Attabales sound every man crying Reale Reale for HENRY King of Portugal This done he rose and with the same company holding still the Scepter in his hand he returned to the Palace the Attabales sounding and the Heraulds crying from time to time as before Conestaggio Now being seated in the Royal Throne The Deliberations of King HENRY at his coming to the Crown although he was Threescore and seven years of age and not healthful yet looked he about him and as it were determined from above that Portugal should fall by degrees to its declination did not provide for the State according to that opinion that was conceived of him but the Realm by reason of their miseries past remained as a body empty and afflicted which needed a wise Physitian to restore it For as one mischief comes not alone the new King did more torment it for although many supposed that he being old a Priest and of an exemplary life should lay all passions aside and be careful to settle the state of the Common-wealth in better order than he had found it yet notwithstanding he could not temper himself with such a disposition as was fit for his Quality and years But as it often falls out in them which have been oppressed who coming to Rule seek Revenge upon their enemies even so did
good Inclinations to his Service That for his own part he was very sorry that his Affairs were in so low a Condition for he could not but Commiserate his Interest as his own That his Majesty to let him know how great Confidence he reposed in his Fidelity had appointed him General of the Militia of that Kingdom and had for his present Supply sent him Sixty thousand Crowns leaving it to his Choice to reside in what place near Lisbon he pleased This strange Confidence put in the Duke by the King of Spain much amazed the greatest Polititians who thought it reasonable That the Spaniard should have permitted the Duke still to have kept retired in the Countrey rather than to have given him such a Command and called him to Lisbon into the continual View of the People who looking upon him as the Heir of that House which had ever been represented to have the only Right to the Crown might easily be inflamed with a Desire to have a King of their own And these things was the Princess of Mantour very sensible of and therefore continually sollicited the King to know his Reason or to desire him to remove those apparent Opportunities which he had given the Duke of Braganza to effect a Revolt But she not only received intricate and enigmatical Answers from the King and Duke D'Olivarez but likewise had the former Actions seconded with one which made her of Opinion that his Catholick Majesty had a mind to toss the Kingdom into Braganza's hands whether he would or no for on a sudden without any notice given to her all the Spanish Garison in St. Johns Castle which commanded the City of Lisbon and indeed upon the strength of which the whole safety and security of the Kingdom depended were suddenly drawn forth and the Castle left to the disposure of Don John of Braganza But this was the last Act of Count Olivarez Confidence in the Duke for by trusting him so much he now thought that he could not but reciprocally repose Confidence in him and therefore next Summer Aº One thousand six hundred and forty He again by Letters sollicites him to leave Portugal and come to Madrid first telling him That his Catholick Majesty gave him many Thanks and greatly applauded his Loyalty in the Exercise of the Office of General and was very sensible of the good Effects which his Authority had wrought over the Portugals Next he represented unto him the present declining Condition of the Spanish Monarchy not only by Reason of the Disorders in Flanders and Italy and the preparations of the Turk but more especially for that their most potent Enemies the French were now in Assistance of the Revolted Catalonians entred into Spain That it highly concerned his Catholick Majesty to drive these out of his Territories which could not be effected but by a very powerful Force that he being one of the prime Grandees of the Kingdom might by his presence in the Head of a good number of his Tenants encourage others to a sutable Assistance that to that purpose his Catholick Majesty expected him every Moment having designed for him great Honours Priviledges and Dignities sutable to his Merit But as cunning an Angler as Olivarez was yet he failed of his Mark the Bait would not yet hook in the Fish for though the Duke of Braganza was accounted no very great Polititian yet his own Safety taught him to know that all these Trusts and fair Promises were but gilded Allurements to draw him to his Destruction having therefore supplied the King with a considerable number of his Tenants and Friends he found Excuses for his own not going in Person and to take off all suspition of Jealousie or Thoughts that he had any Design against the State he retired again to his Countrey-house Thus did these two great Personages by Craft and Dissimulation endeavour to supplant each other only the one strove the others Destruction the other only studied his own Safety and Preservation During all these passages the Vice-Queen Margarita of Mantoua was very vigilant in her Government and foreseeing what in Reason might be the issue of these proceedings wrote very importunately to the King assuring him That if it were not suddenly prevented the Kingdom would infallibly be lost To which his Majesty returned her no Answer and Olivarez in his slighting her judgment as fitter to Govern a private House than a Kingdom desired her That if her Capacity would not reach to the height and drift of those Mysteries of State yet that her Wisdom would prompt her not to discover them Yet without doubt Olivarez was inwardly perplexed to see all his Plots thus fail and foul means he durst not openly attempt such was the Dukes Potency and the great Love the People bore him he therefore at last has Recourse to Treachery and to that intent gives secret Advice to Don Lopez D'Ossis and Don Antonie D'Oquendo That when they had relieved Flanders with Men and money 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 Cales But this Plot was by a strange Divine Providence prevented for that Fleet was totally Routed by the Hollanders upon the Coast of England in the Year One thousand six hundred thirty and nine 17. JOHN IV. Of the Name KING of PORTUGAL Algarvia Affrick Arabia Persia India and Brasil c. CHAP. XXI PORTUGAL PORTUGAL D'argent a cinq Escussons d'Azure peris en Croix chacun charge de cinq besans aussi d'argent posez en sautoir a la Bordure de gueulles charge de sept Chasteaux d'or Party de MEDINASIDONIA For although the most Illustrious Infanta Margarita of Mantoua was a Princess of great judgment 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 than the title of Vice-Queen And insufferable was the Government of Vasconcellos 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 only 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 whil'st 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 date 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 than Eagles I shall therefore omit to search into so great a Privacy and only recount the Publick Action On Saturdoy the First of February Anno One thousand six hundred and forty and Saturdayes have been often observed to be propitious to the Portugal Nation all the Nobility of the Kingdom led on by the Marquesses of Ferreira and the Count of Vimioso took Arms and accompanied with a great multitude of the Inhabitants of Lisbonne and some Portuguese Souldiers came to the Castle which scituate in the middest of Lisbonne 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 hapned 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 minds of the Nobility from the Spanish Government and ernestly 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 Whil'st he was thus busied the confused noise of the Souldiers pierced his ears at which wondring not so much at the tumult as at what should be the cause of it being accompanied only 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 rate he could but his Valour 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 Ferreira 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 mind 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 only 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 a King of their own Nation or because none could without danger oppose themselves to the torrent of so a Publick Will The Duke was at this time at his Countrey-house at Villa-Vitiosa whether by accident or because he would always have had occasion to excuse himself if the business should not have succeeded I cannot guess but by reason of his absence they thought fit to make choice of two Governors whom to avoid the pretences of others they nominated to be the Archbishops of Lisbon and Braganza These began immediately to exercise their Command and were obeyed with so much quiet that in all that great and populous City of Lisbon there was none slain but only those before-mentioned the prisons were opened nor was there any that suffered any wrong either in their goods or life All the Shops were opened as if there had not happened any Change of Government Only the house of Vasconcellos was sackt with so much anger and despite that they did not pardon the very Doors and Windows nay such was the fury of the people that had they not been hindred by the Souldiers of the Guard they had levelled it with the ground As for his carcase it suffered all those disgraces which a people wronged both in their liberties and estates could inflict they ran like mad men to express living sentiments of Revenge upon his dead and senseless Corps vaunting who could invent the newest ways of disgrace and scorn till at length almost wearied with their inhumane sport they left it in the street so mangled that it did not seem to have the least resemblance of a man from whence it was the next day carried by the Fraternity della misericordia and thrown into the Burying-place of the Moors The Marquess of Alemquer after he had by command from the Governor assured the strongest posts of the City sent several Souldiers into the streets crying Long live King JOHN the Fourth which the people hearing distracted as it were with very joy leaving their Trades ran up and down proclaiming him with voices of Jubilee the greatest part through excess of passion not being able to refrain from tears The Messengers did not run but flie to the Duke of Braganza to give him notice of his promotion to the Crown The first arrived on Sunday morning before day he feigned a great alteration at this Advice whereupon some have presumed to say That he had
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 than 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. John 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 ressistance but on the third day it yielded as it is supposed forced rather by bullets of Gold than of Iron Don Antonio de Mascarendas with a Portuguess Garison was appointed commander of this Fortress which he very diligently repaired not only of the damages 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 JOHN 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 Coronation of his Majesty accompanied with all those applauses 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 Theatre 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 Suit of Chesnut coloured Velvet embroidered with Gold and buttons richly set with Diamonds about his neck was a Collar of great value 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 God lined with white wrought with Gold and flowers the Sword was born before him by Don Francisco De Alello Marquess of Ferreira High Constable of the Kingdom and before him was the Kings Banner displayed by Ferdinando 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 Pursuivants 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 than of all the days of their lives They rejoyce to see the Crown of Portugal returned into its Antient 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 by my mouth there being nothing that more comforts the minds 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 than he was ready to deny the taking upon him the weight of the Kingdom That his now condescending to their desires was only 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 custome 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 Warre 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 near 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 than to see themselves undeservedly deprived of their honours he took away only 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 mind in King JOHN but Princes alwayes do like Princes and much it demonstrates the Magnanimity of the mind to honour 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 JOHN 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 find them all pardon The rest of the Castillians 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 Portuguesses 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 Lisbonne 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 Sonne 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 Kingdoms of Portugal and Algarve and beyond Sea in Affrica Lord of Guiana of the Conquests Navigation 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 with all fitting Solemnity the King to show that the good of his Subjects was his only 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 the good of the State That they were to render thanks to the Almighty who had given them a King that would govern them by known Laws That His Majesty did not esteem those Tributes lawful that were paid with tears and therefore did from that present take off from His Subjects all Tributes that had been imposed by the Kings of Castille because His Majesty would not Reign over their Goods nor over their Heads nor over their Priviledges but over their Hearts hoping that they would find out a sweet expedient to defend their Countrey against their Potent enemy who threatned to make them all slaves and to destroy and to annihilate their Nation That they would therefore considering His Majesties Goodness and their own Honor manifest at once unto the world That as never Subjects had such a Gracious King so never King had such Loyal Subjects The Bishop having ended his Speech the most antient Officer of the Chamber of Lisbonne stood up and in the name of all the three Estates who stood up likewise returned humble thanks to His Majesty for this gracious bounty heartily professing That they did not only offer up their Goods but their Lives to His Majesties service earnestly intreating His Majesty to dispose both of the one and the other as he pleased And to manifest that their hearts and their mouths concorded in this free offer of themselves to His Majesty they presently Voted That Two Millions should be immediately raised by the Kingdom but His Majesty wisely and politickly declined the imposing of a Tax upon his Subject chusing rather to accept of their Benevolence which made every one strive who should offer most so instead of the Two Millions there was in short time brought into the Treasury Four Millions of Gold Nor was this Money intended by them nor employed to any other use than to maintain the Grandezza and Splendour of the King and Kingdom there being no need of Money for the payment of Souldiers every one offering to serve freely and at their own Charge against their Vow'd Enemies the Castillians But let us for some time leave the Assembly sitting and give an account how this Action was resented into the Spanish Court Most mens minds were struck with consternation but Olivarez came smiling to the King saying Sir I pray give me las Albricias to hansel the good news for now you are more absolute King of Portugal than ever for the People have forfeited
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 maintenance 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 JOHN'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 Marquiss De los veles Shortly after that the Father Ignatius Mascarenas was dispatched to the Catalonians D. Francisco de Mello and Don Antonia Caelle Carravallio persons both of excellent and admired abilities the one for his great experience and judgment 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 manner 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 shews 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 imbraced them in his Arms promising them the greatest Assistance his Power was able to give They were from the Kings presence conduced 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 tum Grand Signora si pero coma a Castiliano no that it was true considering her Greatness but not her Country The Queen smiling went on promising them all assistance possible and wishing all prosperity to King JOHN 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 only to be the greatest but to be the sole and only 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 only 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 Castille they became absolute Masters not only of all Spain but of all the East-Indies of all the Eastern Trade of Ethiopia Persia Arabia China Japan 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 only 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 been 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 only 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 only of all the Assistance of
two 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 Affrica and America beyond the Line for the Hollanders seeing the disunion of Portugal from Castille 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 peacable 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 was 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 Distaste 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 Vasconcellos his Readiness to Proclaim King JOHN 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 One thousand six hundred and forty three 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 Trial 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 Trial and to 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 Publick place in Lisbon where at his Death he protested his Innocency touching any Treachery towards his Majesty The Death of the Secretary both pleased the People and satisfied the Assembly of Estates who now according to his Majesties Command met on September 18. One thousand six hundred and forty three and being all sate and his Majesty seated in his Throne D. Emanuel D'Acugna Dean of his Majesties Chappel rose up and after Reverence made to the King spake to the Effect following THat in the space of Sixty Years that that Kingdom was under the Power of the Kings of Castille there had been but Two Assemblies of States the first to Inslave the next to Abuse them But that since they were under the present King within the space of Two Years they had Two Assemblies the former to settle their Liberties the present to beget a right Understanding between the King and his People wherein they had all Freedom to demand whatever was necessary That the World might see they are now no longer Slaves but Children no longer Strangers but Natives and that they are under rather a Loving Father than a Severe Soveraign In the former Assembly said he His Majesty took all the Customs and left the Defence of the Kingdom to your hands you Ordered what seemed good unto your selves you made Choice of a General Assistance by way of Contribution but in the leaving thereof the first Payment was found ineffectual the second unequal the third insufficient whence arose some Complaints some imagining that the fault proceeded from the unequal Division of the Contribution others from the Change of Value in Money and Commodities and others from the disorderly Gathering and Disbursing the whole I may easily say That if there were any errour committed yet it might be excusable for that Never had any weighty affair its Conception and Perfection at once Then shall Errours cease to be in Government when Men shall cease to be in the World These things are to be endured with the same Patience that Droughts Dearths Inundations and such other Disorders in Nature for the Wit of Man cannot hold forth a Remedy for all Diseases But certainly they will be no ground of Reprehension though much of Admiration to him that shall Consider how His Majesty entred upon a Kingdom exhausted by the Castillians of Money and other Necessaries for Offence or Defence and yet how in less than a Year and an half we should want neither Shipping nor Artillery nor Horse nor Arms nor Fortification nor Armies upon the Frontiers three Powerful Fleets put to Sea divers Honorable and Extraordinary Ambassages besides many Secret yet Necessary Expences all which will astonish any Understanding Man Now to the end that the People may have full satisfaction His Majesty hath Commanded That before further Proceeding it be made appear Particularly how all the Money Received hath been laid out and then it is Expected and the present state of Affairs Requireth That we all Contribute Liberally Considering that these Charges are but for a time but our Liberties are for ever That we shall never have a better opportunity to Destroy our Enemy That Nature teacheth To Hazard an Arm to Save the whole Body The Merchants at Sea cast away some part of their Goods sometimes to save the rest we are now on Ship-board in a Storm our Goods our Lives our Liberties our Honour our Countrey are all in Danger Moreover the Barbarous Usage of the King of Castille towards the Infante Don Edward calls upon this Assembly for Revenge that we spend not only our Money but our Blood in Affection to Him and that we make our Enemies spend theirs in Satisfaction for Him c. This Speech of the Deans was spoken with so much Affection that it stirred up and encouraged the States readily to give all Assistance imaginable both for Redressing of Grievances and for the Levying Arms so that within a small time after the King was in the Head of Twenty thousand Foot and Three thousand Horse marching towards the Fronteirs of Castille Whil'st these great preparations for Hostility were made the Queen brought forth into the World
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 favouring 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 carrying on towards you wishing unto you the same happinesse 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 only to Eclipse 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 obstacles be removed and thrown quite away wherewith the true serving polititians 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 breasts 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 endeavors 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 means 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 whil'st 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 English Merchants Ships and Goods concluding that they must have reparation made them for the publique damage of the Common-wealth which they would be willing to accept of in any honourable manner and were willing to that purpose if the Ambassador had sufficient power to treat with him to that effect In summe after some time 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 Summes of money 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 madnesse 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 retinue were hanged and himself notwithstanding the earnest solicitations of his brother afterwards beheaded on Tower-hill when the government of England was changed from a strange kinde of Common-wealth to a stranger kind 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 Brazil had so good success that with the assistance of those Portuguesses 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 endeavor a revenge and recovery of that country and to that end and purpose a Potent Fleet was set out and notwithstanding the very earnest endeavors and large offers of the Portuguess Ambassador at the Hague 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 endamage his Foe This consideration made King JOHN of Portugal about the year One thousand six hundred and fifty two send an Ambassador to the young Duke of Savoy who by reason of the scituation of his Country had good and frequent opportunities 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 Theodosia and Savoys 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 envie and suspition of his Prince nor is it possible that any who hath managed a publick imployment 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
After the Duke his Father came to the Crown the Ceremony of his Installation was performed when the Nobles and Grandees took an Oath to receive him for their Natural Prince as Son Heir and Successor to their Lord the King but he lived not to give Portugal a King of his Name deceasing in the life-time of his Father in the Month of June His death 1653. Aº One thousand six hundred and fifty three and was interred in the Monastery of Bethleem 18. ALPHONSO second Son of King John was after the Death of his Brother Theodosius also Prince OF PORTUGAL His Birth August 21. 1643. The City of Lisbonne gave him Birth where he now wears the Royal Diademe of his Father 18. PETER Infant OF PORTUGAL third Son born at Lisbonne in the Year of Christ One thousand six hundred forty and eight is now living Anno 1662. 18. JANE Infanta OF PORTUGAL came into this World at Villa-viciosa the Eighteenth day of September in the Year of our Lord One thousand six hundred thirty and six She dyed young and was inhumed at Belleil 18. KATHERINE Infanta OF PORTUGAL Queen of GREAT BRITAIN FRANCE and IRELAND only Daughter now living of King John IV. took her first breath at Villa-viciosa upon the Five and twentieth day of November being St. Katharines day in the year of our Redemption One thousand six hundred thirty and eight The Treaties and Articles of this Marriage were concluded in England with the Count Don Francisco de Melo Ambassador for the King of Portugal who departed hence with the Ratification of the said Treaty of Marriage Upon his Arrival I need not acquaint you with what Joy this News affected the King Queen Mother and the whole Court nor their most Solemn Demonstration thereof by discharging of their Cannon making of Bonefires and other Entertainments yet were the People unwilling to think of Parting with this their Pious Princess for whose sake they were wont to say God had given them so Signal and Frequent Victories over their Enemies Not long after by an Express from England from the King to Her the Infanta KATHERINE was Complemented with the stile of Queen of GREAT BRITAIN and then with what possible Speed could be made was expected for England all things being prepared in a readiness for so great a Princess and so long a Voyage Then upon the Thirteenth day of April this present year One thousand six hundred threescore and two She passed with the King Her Brother the Queen-Mother Don Pedro and the whole Court unto the side of the River Tagus through several Triumphal Arches and a sumptuous Gallery built upon that Occasion where Her MAJESTY was received by the Earle of Sandwich who conducted Her on Board a stately Brigandine whence amidst many Tire and Vollies of Cannon and many more farewel Acclamations in the same Princely Company and Equipage Her MAJESTY came aboard the ROYAL CHARLES and was welcomed with the Thunder of the whole Navy In the Evening after a Princely Collation and many passionate parting Expressions a Gun from the Admiral gave the Signal of Her MAJESTIES Resolution to depart when all hands were set on work to weigh Anchor and let flie their Sails The King and Queen-Mother and their Train took their Farewel with hearts equally composed of Grief and Joy and Re-imbarqued for Lisbon returning with the discharge of all the Ordnance and so immediately with a fair leading Gale the whole Fleet began their Course being as they passed out of the River saluted by all the Block-houses Forts and Castles That Night and part of the next Day the Wind stood very propitious but afterwards proved averse and stormy so that they were forced to labour to and fro with contrary Winds it being the Six and twentieth of April when they got into the middle of the Bay of Biscay Her MAJESTY by the continual working and tossing of the Sea having been sick the most part of the Voyage About the Fifth of May with unwearied labour and skill the whole Fleet reached the Islands of Scilly Her Arrival had been every day expected a Fortnight before which caused the King to send down the Duke of York Lord High Admiral to attend Her upon the Coast and to Complement Her MAJESTY in His Name whereupon His Highness hasted to Portsmouth and on the Tenth of May attended by the Duke of Ormond the Earls of Suffolk and Chesterfield the Lord Berkley and other Persons of Quality went aboard the stately YAUGH to Coast about to meet Her MAJESTY On Sunday morning about Ten of the Clock they discovered the ROYAL JAMES but there was so great a Calm they could not reach the ROYAL CHARLES till Six at Evening The Earl of Sandwich having discovered His Highness YAUGH went out in his Barge to meet Him the Royal Banner being all the while vailed till He was aboard when His Highness came into the Ship the Souldiers gave Three several Shouts and all the Guns in the ROYAL CHARLES which from the Queens entrance till that time had been silent proclaimed His Welcome after which the several Ships of the Fleet paid Him their Salutes The Thirteenth of May at night the Royal Fleet came to St. Helens Point the most Eastern Promontory of the Isle of Wight and on Wednesday the Fourteenth of May the Queen landed at Portsmouth about Four of the Clock in the Afternoon where She was received by the Nobility Gentry and multitudes of Londoners as also by the Mayor and Aldermen of that Corporation with all the Expressions of Joy His MAJESTY having received the Express of His Queens landing prepared to be gone forthwith to Salute Her upon Her Arrival But His great Affairs of State and Bills by Him to be Ratified into Acts of Parliament which were not fully ready for His Royal Assent delayed him till Monday the Nineteenth of May having sent before Him the Bishop of London who departed the Seventeenth in order to the Solemnizing of the Marriage when He took Coach from the House of Lords at Nine of the Clock in the Evening with His ordinary Guards and lodged that night at Gilford the next day His MAJESTY posted with the same speed to Portsmouth where He arrived about Noon The Queens indisposition which yet held Her in Her Chamber caused the King to satisfie Himself only with a Visit in private that day Yet it pleased God to restore Her Majesty to such a degree of health that she was soon after able to go abroad to consummate the Marriage-Rites which were there performed upon Wednesday the 21. of May by Gilbert Lord Bishop of London which being concluded His Majesty Bedded His most Princely Lady in His Town of Portsmouth The next Week their Majesties removed to Winchester thence to Farnham and then to Hampton Court where They spent most part of this Summer as well for the Healthfulness as Majesty of the Place Then on Saturday the 23. of August being the Eve of St. Bartholomew a Day
Portugal THis Prince eldest Son of Duke John by the Dutchess Katherine of Portugal his Wife was not past Nine or Ten years old when having the Title of Duke of Barcellos he accompanied King Sebastian his Cosin in the second Voyage he undertook into Affrica against the Moors Years of CHRIST 1578 where he was by them made Prisoner at the Battel of Alcacer The Cherif Muley-Hamet King of Morocco Party de VELASCO kept him in durance until that Philip II. King of Spain obtained his liberty who having passed the Straits to return into Portugal Conestaggio was detained at St. Lucar by the Duke of Medina-Sidonia upon the news of the Death of Henry King of Portugal conceiving it would be a matter of importance to the Catholick King his Master to keep this Prince in durance as being Son of the principal Pretendants to the Kingdom whereupon the Duke of Barcellos wrote a Letter to his Father the Duke of Braganza that he must not then expect him and that his detention should not any way prejudice the rights of the Realm preferring Justice before his own life This Letter being come into Portugal was by the Duke his Father sent unto the Assembly of Estates at Almerin shewing on the one side the grief for the detainment of this his dear Son and on the other side the contentment he received that in so tender years he was so great a Lover of the good of his Countrey that he offered if there were occasion to sacrifice his Life for the Service of the State But immediately this fear of the Duke of Braganza his Father ceased for the King of Spain commanded that he should have free liberty to depart which he did as well to avoid the indignation of the Portuguesses as to make a friend of the Duke of Braganza Not long after THEODOSIUS succeeded the Duke his Father and still continued the demonstration of his Magnanimity for when that the Catholick King Philip III. and second of the name King of Portugal made his solemn Entry into the City of Lisbonne who willing to shew how much he affected him above all the other Grandees of this Kingdom Vasconcellius and desirous to make him a participant of his Royal Favours promised that he would grant him whatsoever he would ask To which the Duke answered That the Kings of Portugal his Predecessors which were also his Majesties had so often and so freely conferred their Benefits upon his House that there was not any thing remained that he could demand and if there were acknowledged to have received a signal Favour from his Majesty if he would vouchsafe to honour and embrace his Subjects of Portugal with a fatherly affection but more especially the Grandees of the Kingdom This Duke THEODOSIUS who was seventh Duke of Braganza and twelfth Constable of Portugal espoused ANNE DE VELASCO daughter of the Constable of Castille John-Fernandez de Velasco and of the Dutchess of Frias Mary de Giron his first Wife Children of THEODOSIUS II. Duke of BRAGANZA by ANNE DE VELASCO his Wife JOHN II. of the name eighth Duke of BRAGANZA crowned King of Portugal by the name of John IV. and had issue Alphonso VI. King of Portugal now Reigning 1662. of whose Histories and Issue you may read in the First Book EDWARD OF PORTUGAL born the One and thirtieth day of March in the Year of our Salvation One thousand six hundred and five who coming unto Mans estate had served the Emperour in his Waâ—s with much gallantry and no less success long before his Brother Duke John had any thoughts of a Crown nor did he shew any endeavours to desert the Emperours service after the news arrived of the Revolt of Portugal but seemed resolved to continue there till he was betrayed by Francisco de Mello a Portugal at that time Ambassador to the Catholique King in the Emperial Court This Mello notwithstanding he was bound by many strong Obligations to the House of Braganza yet like an ungrateful Villain having opportunity offered now resolved to build his fortunes upon their ruine or at least displeasure he therefore earnestly sollicited the Emperour to seize upon the person of Don Duarte and deliver him up to the King of Spain alledging of what great concernment the securing of his person would be to the Catholique King that it much behoved his Imperial Majesty to shew his affection to his brother the Catholique King in this particular which would not only prove of Interest to Spain but the whole house of Austria That this Prince was the only Prop of the House of Braganza and this was the only means which God had left in the hands of the House of Austria to recover the Kingdom of Portugal that it would be a great errour both in prudence and policy to let slip so fair an occasion for that if he should scape out of their hands and get to the assistance of his brother both his personal valour and experience in Warlike affairs would very much infest the Catholique King The Emperour was not only not perswaded by this Discourse of Mello's but extreamly offended at it returning him in answer That he did abhorre and detest so great a breach of publick faith and violation of all Laws of Hospitality that it would be both against the liberty of the Empire and against his own Honour to imprison a Prince who had committed no fault to the Empire but rather had laid innumerable Obligations both upon it and himself Nor was the detestation of the Arch-duke Leopold to an act so soul and shameful less than that of his brothers the Emperour notwithstanding all which Mello was not at all discouraged but still prosecuted his villanous design by corrupting with great sums of money the Count of Tratsmandorf and several other Pensioners of the Crown of Spain but they were soon weary of so base and shameful an employment which made Mello think of a more cunning Artifice which was to perswade the Emperour to hearken to the allurements of one Diego di Quiroga who of a Souldier was turned Monk and was now Confessor to the Empress This Father who had often been called to give his judgement in Affairs of State endeavored by all means possible to perswade the Emperour that he might not only with a good conscience secure the Infante but that according to the best Rules of Interest of State he ought to do it His Imperial Majesty notwithstanding all these perswasions was very much unsatisfied in the action and once fully resolved not to do it but at length overcome by Mello's importunities and the Ghostly perswasions of Quiroga he was as it were constrained to alter his resolution and to give order to Don Lewis Gonzaga to go to the Princes quarters at Leipen and summon him to Ratisbone In the mean time to endeavor to prevent all ill impressions which an action so hainously wicked might strike into all bosoms that had either honor or honesty it was
him President of the Councel-Royal for the Indies and Viceroy of Naples in the Year One thousand six hundred and ten As also established him President of the Councel of Italy His Wife was KATHERINE DE SANDOVAL his Cosin-Germane Daughter of Francis de Sandoval and Royas Duke of Lerme by the Dutchess Katherine de la Cerda his Wife by whom he had not any Children 17. FRANCIS DE CASTRO Duke of TAVRISANO Count of Castro and Viceroy of Naples and Sicilie HE was second Son of Ferdinand-Roderick de Castro Count of Lemos by Katherine de Zuniga and Sandoval his Wife and as his elder Brother was for his great Experience employed in important Affairs by the Catholick King For he not only established him his Viceroy of Naples after the death of his elder Brother but also of Sicily Afterwards the same King sent him Embassadour to the State of Venice to endeavour a Reconciliation betwixt that Republick and Pope Paul V. to whom FRANCIS DE CASTRO was also sent Embassadour in Ordinary He espoused LUCRECE GATINARA LEGNANA Countess de Castro in the Kingdom of Naples only Daughter of Alexander Gatinara Fifth Count of Castro and of Victoria Caracciol his Wife Children of FRANCIS DE CASTRO Duke of TAVRISANO c. FERDINAND DE CASTRO Duke of Taurisano c. continued the descent ALEXANDER DE CASTRO FRANCIS DE CASTRO KATHERINE and VICTORIA DE CASTRO CLARA-MARIA DE CASTRO a Nun. ELISE and MARIA DE CASTRO 18. FERDINAND DE CASTRO Duke of TAVRISANO Count of Castro and Lemos HE was eldest Son of Francis de Castro Duke of Taurisano and of Lucrece Gatinara Legnana his Wife His Wife was ANTONIA DE GIRON the daughter of Peter Giron Duke of Ossuna and Marquess of Pegnafiel Children of FERDINAND DE CASTRO Duke of TAVRISANO Count of Castro and Lemos PETER DE CASTRO Count of Antrada 14. ALPHONSO DE LANCASTRO DIonysius of Braganza or of Portugal PORTUGAL-LANCASTRO and Beatrix de Castro Countess of Lemos had several Children among whom this ALPHONSO was the second honoured with the Dignity of great Master of the Military Order of Christ in Portugal and grand Alcaide of Ovidos King John III. sent him Embassadour to Rome unto the Popes Julius III. and Paul IV. Afterwards he was also sent into France to King Charles IX during the Minority of King Sebastian in the beginning of his Reign The same ALPHONSO was interred in the Monastery of the Carmelites of Lisbon His Wife HIERONIMA DE NOROGNA was Daughter of James de Norogna great Master of the Order of Christ and of Philippa Attaida his Wife he had by her one Son and a Daughter which were DIONYSIUS DE LANCASTRO mentioned hereafter PHILIPPA DE LANCASTRO Wife to MICHAEL DE MENESES Marquess of Villa-real 15. DIONYSIVS DE LANCASTRO HE was as his father Alphonso grand Master of the Order of Christ and by the King of Portugal Sebastian also sent into France to King Year of CHRIST 1572 Charles IX about the Year One thousand five hundred threescore and twelve then into Spain to King Philip II. He was also nominated by the same King Sebastian his Embassadour for Rome to be sent to Pope Gregory XIII But upon the death of this King in Affrica his Embassade ceased and he Years of CHRIST 1598 dyed at Lisbon His Death Ao. One thousand five hundred fourscore and eighteen being very much in years He lieth inhumed in the Monastery of St. Augustine By his Wife ISABEL ENRIQUEZ Daughter of Francis Coutinho second Count of Redondo and of Mary de Guzman his Wife he had these Six Children following ALPHONSO DE LANCASTRO great Master of the Order of Christ and grand Alcaide of Ovidos He espoused MARY DE TAUORA daughter of Alvaro Perez de Tauora and of Isabel de Melo his Wife FRANCIS DE LANCASTRO Gentleman-Waiter at the Table to the Catholick Kings Philip III. and IV. JOHN DE LANCASTRO Bishop of Lamego and Chief Chaplain to the King of Spain Philip III. HIERONIMA DE NOROGNA was never married MARY DE LANCASTRO was espoused to FERDINAND-RODERICK DIEGO MARTINES MASCAREGNAS IOLAND ENRIQUEZ married to FRANCIS COUTINHO fourth Count of Redondo her Cosin MARQUESSES of FERREIRA AND COUNTS of TENTUGAL 12. ALVARO DE PORTVGAL Lord of FERREIRA PORTUGAL-FERREIRA AMong the Children of Ferdinand first of the name Duke of Braganza and of Jane de Castro his Wife this ALVARO was the third He was President of the Councel Royal in Castille and grand Alcaide of Seville and in Portugal also Lord Chief Justice and Chancellor He espoused PHILIPPA DE MELO Countess of Olivenca daughter and heir of Roderick de Melo Count of Olivenca by Isabel de Meneses Children of ALVARO DE PORTVGAL Lord of FERREIRA RODERICK DE MELO and Portugal first Marquess of FERREIRA continued the Line GEORGE OF PORTUGAL Count of GELUES gave original to the Branch of Gelves hereafter mentioned ISABEL DE CASTRO Wife of Alphonso de SOTO-MAJOR Count of Belalcacar BEATRIX DE MELO and Tentugal Dutchess of CONIMBRA Wife of GEORGE Bastard OF PORTUGAL Duke of CONIMBRA and Lord of Aveiro JANE DE VILLENA married to FRANCIS OF PORTUGAL Count of VIMIOSO MARY MANUEL Wife of JOHN DE SILVA second Earl of Portalegre 13. RODERICK DE MELO and Portugal Marquess of FERREIRA and Count of Tentugal HE was eldest Son of Alvaro of Portugal Lord of Ferreira and of Philippa de Melo his Wife and for his Memorable Services deserved well the Title of Marquess of Ferreira and Count of Tentugal into which Honours he was Created by the great Emanuel King of Portugal his Cosin He married two Wives His first Wife was LEONOR d'ALMEIDA Daughter of Francis d'Almeida Viceroy of the Indies by Jane Pereira his Wife His second Wife was BEATRIX DE MENESES Daughter of Anthony d'Almada Major General of Lisbonne and of Mary de Meneses his Wife He had issue by both Wives Children of RODERICK DE MELO Marquess of FERREIRA by his first wife ALVARO DE MELO dyed in the life-time of his Father having espoused MARY DE VILLENA daughter of John de Silva second Count of Portalegre and of Mary Manuel He had one Son bearing his name which followeth 15. ALVARO DE MELO had no Children by his Wife MARY d'ALCACOUA daughter of Peter Count of Ignana and of Katherine de Sousa This Alvaro was slain at the Battel of Alcacer FRANCIS DE MELO first of the name Marquess of Ferreira continued the Posterity PHILIPPA DE VILLENA Wife of ALVARO DE SYLVA Count of Partalegre JANE DE MELO was a Nun. Children of RODERICK DE MELO and of his second Wife ALVARO DE MELO MARY DE MENESES espoused to CONSTANTINE DE PORTUGAL or BRAGANZA her Cosin Of whom we have spoken 14. FRANCIS DE MELO first of the name Marquess of FERREIRA and Count of Tentugal TO the Marquess of Ferreira Roderick de Melo succeeded this his second Son the eldest dying before his Father He married EUGENIA OF BRAGANZA or PORTUGAL daughter of James
all his dependants friends and acquaintance not sparing so much as the Priests These Sir are the Rules that the Holy Scripture teacheth to be practised upon the Families and People that abhor the Dominion of their own Soveraigns It was Sir very fatal to stand expecting and hoping for better times and opportunities for the securing of Portugal In the Yeer One thousand six hundred and thirty nine observing the ill affection of that Nation my Advice was That without any delay that Kingdom was to be secured by Force of Arms others were of the same Judgments but Fate would have it that for fear of new troubles by delayes way should be made for Rebellion than which there could not have been a greater although that Form of Government which was expedient for the Spanish Monarchy and was alwayes held necessary for the preserving that Crown had been put in execution with the greatest violence imaginable But when a Jewel is gone the main enquiry should be By what means it may be found again not How it came to be lost The first means of recovering that Crown may be what your Majesties Grand-father made use of to buy your Rights of your own Subjects by Gifts and Promises wherein your Majesty is to be as Prodigal as the Portugals are insolent in expecting or demanding and indeed experience teacheth That that Nation is so addicted to their own Interest that more may be effected this way than by a powerful Army to him will they be subject who will give most or from whom most can be expected herein Prodigality will be good Husbandry for when Portugal shall be returned to the obedience of your Majesty all that Wealth which hath been bestowed amongst them will return likewise The second means is by course of Arms but this will be difficult at present by Reason of the several Engagements of this Monarchy elsewhere I suppose Sir That in case Portugal should be Conquered by Force all their Conquests in the East-Indies c. will remain in their hands for thither will they all flie and from thence will they be alwayes ready to assist our Enemies wherefore it would be very expedient for your Majesties service that a Truce were first made with the Hollanders upon condition that they make War upon the Portugal in the Indies and have whatever they can Conquer whence will arise this Commodity that they will want the Wealth of their Conquests your Majesty being disengaged with the Hollander will sooner Conquer them at home and the Hollander will only come to receive to day at the hand of your Majesty what to morrow the Portugal must deliver up to them At the same time the Hollanders and Flemings may scour the Coast of Portugal and the English may be invited to a more frequent Navigation in the East-Indies and China whereby the Portugal Trade may easily be ruined The third way is that the Pope be perswaded to thunder his Excommunications against the House of Braganza and against the whole Kingdom as Perjured and Perturbators of the publick Peace animating all Christian Princes to assist in the regaining that Kingdom upon pretence of advancing the Catholick Faith Moreover diffidencies and jealousies between the Duke of Braganza and other people may easily be fomented by means of Merchants Strangers and by Flemings and Burgundians under the name of French And to effect these diffidencies the better a Treaty may really be begun with the Duke which being discovered by the People though it be before the Duke could know thereof they will destroy him and all his Family and in such case the Civil dissentions will open a way for your Majesty to recover your Rights desperate evils must have desperate remedies the Kingdom of Portugal is the Cancer of the Spanish Monarchy therefore Ense recidendum ne pars symera trahatur Let not your Majesty defer the right Remedy the greatest Rigor is here the greatest Charity and to have no Charity is to have much Prudence to Bury this Hydra in its own ashes will be Triumph enough to live without this arm will be better than to have it employed against ones own head Let your Majesty never believe or hope better of that Nation than you have seen these Sixty years past never think to keep that Countrey if not planted with other People the detestation against your Majesties Government is hereditary The Interest of the King Sir is very ample and hath no bounds against Rebels every action is just and honourable that tends to the recovery of the Kings right Moreover a Truces 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 Yoke will at length easily 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 Emperour Julian used to say was much more advantageous than 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 whil'st is considered the extraordinary love and affection which the whole Nation of the Portuguesses bore to the Family of their present King and the inveterate hatred which they did and always have born to the Castillians which was so exceeding great that it is believed they would rather have suffered themselves to be extirpated and routed out than again submit their Necks to the Spanish Yoke 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 than 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