THE RISE & FALL OF THE Late Eminent and powerful Favourite of SPAIN, The Count OLIVARES.  
THE Unparallelled Imposture OF MICHAEL de MOLINA Executed at MADRID in the Year, 1641.  
The Right and Title of the present King of Portugal Don JOHN the fourth; With the most memorable Passages of his Reign unto the year 1644.  
Translated out of the Italian, Spanish, and Portughez, By Edw: chamberlain, Gent'.  
In tenui Labour—  
London, Printed by T: N: for Thomas Heath at his shop in Russell street, near the Piazza's of Covent-Garden, 1653.   


FIDE ET FORTITUDINE.  
The Right Honble. Algernon Capell. Earl of Essex▪ Viscount Maldon▪ & Baron Capell of Hadham▪ 17●1   coat of arms or blazon   

To the Reader.  
THE Original Structures, from whence the materials of these pieces are taken, seeming more spacious than was necessary, I have taken the pains to pull them down, and rebuild them in the narrow room here presented; wherein my principal care hath been (ut misceam utile dulci) that no part of these new buildings may be without commodity or delight, although the beauty of them may be somewhat defaced (for translations are ever prejudicial to the grace and splendour of the Original, especially when done by an unskilful pen) yet I choose rather to be censured of weakness in exposing to the public, then of envy in engrossing to myself a Commodity that might any way benefit my Countrymen.  
Amongst the many curious Pieces that came to my hands in foreign parts, I have made choice of these in the first place (wanting opportunity for a more weighty task) because pieces of this nature have this peculiar unto them, that they are acceptable to most intelligent persons, for that they represent sunccinctly many curious particularities, whereof general Histories cannot take any notice.  
The first of these Relations was written at Madrid in Italian by an Agent there to one of the Princes of Italy, at the time that the Conde Duke de Olivarez was banished the Court of Spain. I have pruned off some superfluous branches, and engrafted a few necessary Cions borrowed from other trees.  
The second was written at large in Spanish by the Alcalde, or Judge to whom was committed the prosecution of that whole business. The Book was swollen with various digressions and infinite quotations (as their manner is) which would have been very impertinent ro an English Reader.  
The former part of the third Discourse was written in the Portugal Tongue, and the later part in Italian; the one amplified with the numberless authoritics of Civilians, and the other with many prolix excursions, which in English would have been as tedious as improper.  
If the Reader reaping in few hours the fruits of many day's labour, shall receive content, I shall not only be satisfied for this pains, but encouraged for another undertaking.   

Faults to be corrected.  
PAge 10. line 8. for Aunt read Cousin. p. 14. l. 2. leave out would. P. 47. l. 8. for in read ni. P. 51. l. 26. read fuer Ça. P 52. l. 17. for having read he. P. 57 l. 24. r, debauched. P. 102. l. 19 for must read mas. P. 104. 24. for in r. ni. There are many false pointings and other inconsiderable mistakes, whereof the Printer humbly demands pardon.   

THE RISE & FALL OF THE Late eminent and Powerful Favourite of SPAIN, Don Jaspar de Guzman Conde, Duke of Olivares and St LUCAR.  
DON Jaspar de Guzman, son of Don Henry Count de Olivares, was born in Rome at the time that his Father was there Ambassador from Philip the second▪ and it was noted as an unlucky presage that he drew his first breath in the Palace of Nero▪ which gave occasion to some Wits to style him the Nero disguised; because his actions were always very cruel, yet without shedding blood; his deliberations violent, but without noise; his carriage courteous, but without love▪ his words very fair, but without effect.  
Being the third Son of his Family, he be took himself to the study of the Law at Salamanca, where he was Corrival with three Learned persons for a Prebendary at Sevill, which he obtained. Not long after coming to Court at the time when Don Balthazzar Zuniga was in favour with Philip the 3d upon the fall of the house of Lerma, he easily crept into the favour and familiarity of Philip the fourth; then Prince; and complying in all things with his humour, became absolute master of his Will, by that time the death of his Father had made him absolute Monarch of Spain.  
To assure himself in this height of Honour and Power, he held at a distance from his Majesty the Princes of the blood; particularly Prince Philibert de Savoy, and it is believed, that jealous of the vivacity and Nobleness of spirit which began to shine in the Infante Don Carlos (who was idolised by the Spaniards) he hastened his death As for the Cardinal Infante Don Ferdinando, he speciously pretended that it was necessary he should be employed in the Wars of Germany, and afterwards in the Government of Flanders. Sent most of the 
* A Grandee of Spain, is any Nobleman that hath the privilege to be always covered in the King's presence, as all Noblemen had before the time of Charles the fifth.  Grandees and persons, whose parts or power gave any occasion of jealousy to the Conde Duke, to Employments far from the Court; thereby so powerfully suppressing the worth of all other, that none being left to oppose him, he became the sole Arbibitrator of the Monarchy, and absolute Master of his Masters will.  
As for the Queen, whom the the Laws of God and Man forbade to be separated from her Husband; she was kept in such awe and subjection by the Duchess of Olivarez, her first Lady of Honour, that though she had the Title and outside of a Queen, she was little better than a slave to the Duke; who would often intimate to the King, that no other account was to be made of a Woman, but as a thing necessary to propagate the species.  
Now although some rigour should be used in the examination of all the actions of the Conde Duke, it will not be denied but that he had most rare endowments for a Minister of State; for the zeal and passion he had for to Aggrandise his Master and his Dominions, knew no bounds; He gave himself wholly to the transaction of public Affairs; insomuch that he would not allow himself one hour of Recreation; He was the declared enemy of all Presents, not suffering any of his servants to sell his Favour, or their Credit with him: But on the contrary spent of his own Revenues for the service of the King, professing that all he had was devoted to the public good, and that he did nothing but to augment the grandeur of the King, and to serve the State. Yet some that would seem to see farther than vulgar eyes, say, That the reason why he received no presents, was, because he conceived that to be the only way to continue in favour; and that by other ways being as covetous as cruel, he found out the true secret of heaping up treasure, without appearing ambitious. To this end he got into his hands! Commanderies of all the three Orders of Knighthood, which were worth to him 40000 Crowns per an'; made himself great Master of the King's Wardrobe; Master of the Horse; & Great Chancellor of the Indies, which three Offices were worth him 200000 Crowns per annum; but much more considerable were the vast sums received from the Indies; for when the Fleet set sail from Sevill and Lisbon, he caused to be shipped abundance of Corn, Wine, and Oil Custome-free, which he sent from his County of Olivarez; and selling the same in the Indies at four times their worth in Spain, caused the Moneys to be employed in Spices, Jewels, Indigoes, etc. which are there at a low price, burr of great value in Europe; so that without cozening the King he hath this way gained many Millions which Wise men persuade themselves were never spent in the King's service.  
As for his zeal to augment his Master's greatness; some are of opinion, That the excess of so eminent a Virtue was in him a Vice which produced great Mischiefs; for he was so passionate in the pursuance of that design, that he feared not to discontent the People, the Nobility, the Princes, the Queen herself, so he might content the King, and carry on his design.  
First, for the People, whose Love is the main foundation and strongest prop of Monarchies: This blind passion carried him away so far, as to endeavour to abolish in Spain divers privileges and Liberties, to the end he might render the King more absolute over his Subjects: He extorted from the Laity and Clergy, by the Mediannates, an invention of his own, which was the Payment of half an years' Revenues of all Offices and Benefices that were bestowed; also by abasing and raising the value of Coin, an intolerable grievance to the Subject; and by many other Impositions, raised above Two hundred and sixteen Millions of Gold.  
Such like endeavours were the first ground of the total revolt of the Catalonians, who together with the people of Arragon, had so great Privileges and Liberties, that they passed rather for a people recommended then subject to the Kings of Spain; whence it hath ever been Arcanum Imperii amongst the Kings of Spain to endeavour to infringe those Privileges that rendered suspicious the Loyalty of those people: Insomuch, that in all the Wars with France, the Kings of Spain durst not suffer their Armies to march that way. Those of Arragon, in that notable business of Don Antonio Perez, were by Philip the second, not without much craft and force, brought into absolute subjection: but the Catalonians continued steadfast in the maintenance of their Privileges, and very difficult to be reduced to such subjection; because being borderers upon France by sea and land, they could commodiously receive thence assistance or succour. Nevertheless the said zeal of the Conde Duke put him upon that attempt, so that at a Parliament holden at Barcelona, the chief City of Catalonia, the jealous Catalonians took no small distaste that the Duke endeavoured to invade their Privileges, by not suffering their Commissioners to be covered in his presence, which had used to be covered in the King's presence. After this the Duke proceeding in the like attempts to diminish their Privileges, & yet to keep them in obedience, quartered Soldiers upon them after the fashion of Lombardy; but the Catalonians not being able to endure the insolence of the soldiers, took Arms, killed & drove away their soldiers, killed also their Viceroy, the Conde di Coloma, & put themselves under the protection of the French. Thus was lost the most populous part of all Spain, a Country above 800 miles in compass, and the only Country of all Spain wherein is to be found all materials necessary for making and rigging ships: The Castles, Manors, Villages, great Towns, and Cities stand so thick, that they seem rather one continued City then a Province.  
To this may be added the inexpressible loss of the Kingdom of Portugal, with all the dependencies upon that Crown in the East and West Indies, Africa, and Tercera Islands, by the miscarriage of the Conde Duke in discontenting that Nation, which shall be related at large as a most remarkable History. There have ever been a certain Antipathy & enmity betwixt the Spaniards and Portugals, as great as between the Spaniard and French. But since they have been subject to the Kings of Spain, have been so averse from the Government that the Parish Priests and Preachers at the end of their Mass and Sermons, were wont to exhort the people publicly to say two Ave mary's, to the end that it would please our Saviour and the blessed Virgin to deliver them from the Tyranny (as they termed it) of the castilians, expecting always some favourable occasion to make an universal Revolt.  
Notwithstanding, in the year, 1636. the new Tax called the Fifth part, was generally imposed, that is Five per Cent. upon all Estates and Merchandise; which being judged not only very grievous, but also most unjust, gave occasion to all the Southern part of Portugal to rise in arms, and had no question set the whole Kingdom on fire, had it not been quenched by the great care of the Infanta Margarita of Savoy, the King's Aunt, than Governess.  
The Court of Spain observing hereupon the inclinations of that people to an universal revolt, resolved to use the best means to secure it: In the first place, to allure forth the great Duke of Briganza, who for Riches, power, number of Tenants, affection of the people, and kindred, was the chief Nobleman not only of Portugal, but of all Spain, and (which was more than all had an undoubted right to the Crown of Portugal, and therefore certainly it was a cruel pity in Philip the second, to seize upon this Kingdom, and yet to leave the pretender to the Crown, not only alive, but greater and higher than ever he was: It being an infallible Maxim, That nothing can be sufficient to secure his Loyalty, who hath power enough to justify disloyalty To make sure of the Duke, they first offered him the Government of Milan, which he modestly refused, resolving not to stir forth of Portugal. Hereupon the Conde Duke was resolved to try all ways imaginable; to which the Rebellion of Catalonia seemed to offer a fit opportunity for this design; for the Conde Duke politicly gave out that the King was to go in person against the Catalonians; and therefore that all the Nobility in the King's dominions were to appear within 4 Months at Madrid, to wait upon the King in this Expedition. But the Duke of Braganza well knowing the affection of the Portugals and suspicion of the castilians; to the end that he might take off the one, and assure the other, retires himself to his Country house, there to follow his hunting, excusing himself to the Conde Duke, that his affairs at present were in so bad a condition, that he could not appear abroad with that splendour and dignity that became a person of his Quality; and that he was confident he could do his Majesty better service by staying at home when all the rest of the Nobility were gone forth. This answer much augmented the former suspicions of the Conde Duke: wherefore he resolved to make use of the most exquisite dissimulation that ever he had done in all his life; and because it was a most ticklish affair, an extraordinary caution and subtlety was necessary: First then, the Conde Duke by Letters assures the Duke of Braganza he was well satified with his reasons, and of his good inclination to his Majesty's service. Secondly, to make a show of true amity, seemed to be very compassionate of what regarded the Duke's Interest. Thirdly, he assured him that the King was very well content that he should continue there, & to testify unto him the confidence and trust was reposed in him, made him General of all the Militia of Portugal, leaving it to his choice to reside in what place he pleased near Lisbon; and to supply his present necessity, sent him 60000 Crowns.  
This Intrigue of the Conde Dukes appeared to those that saw only the outside of the business, so strange and so prejudicial to the King's interest, that they cried out, This was the very way to lose all, the rather because by calling back the Duke from his retired life at his Country House, he was now exposed to the view of the Lisbonians, in whose thoughts the House of Braganza hath ever been represented as right heir to that Crown, that his presence must needs augment the hopes of the Portugals, and new kindle their desires to have a King of their own.  
Lastly, That the Militia of Portugal was put into those very hands that aspired to the Sceptre: but this kind of dealing was the Conde Duke's ordinary course, who was oft heard to brag, that he gained much more by such counterfeit Caresses, then with downright threats. It was never Olivarez intention to trust the Duke, but to carry the business so, that the Duke might trust him. And indeed what greater testimony of confidence could have been imagined, then to send the Duke near Lisbon, give him the command of all the Forces, and supply him with moneys. All these crafts and subtleties no doubt would had been enough to have charmed the Duke's spirit, and to have made him to confide in Olivarez, but that the particular acquaintance he had with his dealings, had instructed him to stand upon his guard. In the mean time the Infanta Margarita upon whole shoulders all the good and bad events of Portugal was like to fall, amazed at these manifest opportunities of Revolt were offered to the Duke, advertised the King thereof by divers Letters, whereunto she received cold answers full of Riddles and darkness; the obscurity whereof a little after seemed much greater; For, without giving her any notice, all the Spaniards that kept Garrison in Saint John's Castle, which commanded Lisbon, were drawn forth, at a time when the safety and security of the whole Kingdom depended upon that Castle's strength, and that strength upon the fidelity of those Spanish soldiers; but it was a stratagem wherein consisted the last attempt of Olivarez to secure the Duke; and that his cunning might not be discovered, but lie hid for a time, stayed till Summer, 1640. before he would invite afresh the Duke to come to Court, which he did at length by a large Letter; wherein after ample testimonies of affection, he much commended the Loyalty of the Duke, his vigilance and diligence in his Office of General; and the happy effects of his authority over the Portugals; then represented unto him the sad condition of the Monarchy, by reason of the disorders of Flanders, disasters of Italy, and the great preparations of the Turk; but chiefly because of the most powerful Enemies the French, already entered into Spain by the assistance of the Catalonians: that the only way to save the Kingdom, was to chase away these last, but that this could not be well effected but by a vigorous assistance of all the Grandees of Spain, of which he was the chief; He might by his presence, and with a good number of his Tenants, give example to others; and that to this end his Majesty expected him every moment, with design to Honour him, and confer upon him privileges and dignities of high concernment. Now although the Duke was reputed a man not very well versed in the world, yet he carried himself with so much wisdom and discretion, that after he had supplied the King with a considerable number of his Tenants and Friends, he refused to go in person; but using craft against craft, retired himself to his Country house, that so he might take off all suspicion of jealousy, that he plotted any thing against the State. The Conde Duke in all this used all fair means, because he saw there was no hope of prevailing otherwise, insomuch that by reciprocal dissimulation each of them laboured to give testimony of singular affection and perfect confidence.  
The Infanta vigilant upon all ocasions, observing these proceedings, and foreseeing what would be the issue, wrote to the King and to Olivarez very urgent letters, protesting that if speedy remedy were not taken, the Kingdom must needs be lost; The King hereunto gave no answer▪ but Olivarez in his Letters useth her like a silly woman, fitter to govern a Family then a Kingdom, bidding her, that if she comprehended not the mysteries of State, at least she should not discover them. In the mean time Olivarez sent secret Instructions to Don Lopez de Ossis, and Don Antonio de Oquendo, after they had relieved Flanders with men and money, to put in with his whole Fleet upon the Coast of Portugal; and so soon as the Duke of Braganza should come aboard the ships, according to the duty of his place, and new office, they should set sail and bring him away to Cales; but that great Fleet was ruined by the Hollander upon the Downs in the year 1639. Hereupon it being thought necessary to weaken the Portugals by draining the Kingdom of superfluous humours, a great number of Soldiers were drawn forth, which inflamed more those ill humours, that had been much stirred by the divers discontents and distaste which generally was taken against Vasconzelloes chief Secretary of State, who taking upon him the manage of all affairs, leaving to the Infanta only the bare Title of Vice-Queen, governed absolutely according to his own will and pleasure, being a man of unsufferable petulancy, and set as controller of his Mistress actions, and in Madrid the Principal affairs of Portugal were managed by Don Diego Suarez, father in law to Vasconzellos: These, with some other miscarriages, were the true occasions of that general revolt, which was contrived in few days, and executed in fewer hours. For as soon as some of the chief Nobility privately met together, began the discourse of the many grievances, intolerable taxations, pride and arrogancy of the castilians that were Officers of State, in particular of the tyranny of Vasconzellos, their Liberties violated, their Clergy impoverished, their Nobility destined for the slaughter, their Country ruinated, and all their Privileges engraven upon a Marble pillar, exposed to the public view, violated and infringed, etc. It was proposed at the same private meeting to change it into a Commonwealth; But the Archbishop of Lisbon with powerful reasons made abortive that design, and set their thoughts upon endeavouring to win the Duke of Braganza to accept of the Crown, the Duke's name was John son to Theodosius, son to Katherine, who was daughter to Edward, son to Emanuel King of Portugal: so it was agreed that one Don Gaston Cotigno should make this Overture to the Duke, who went immediately to his Highness at His Country house, and there told him of the general discontent of the people, of the general consent of the Nobility and Clergy to receive Him as their King; and that the present conjuncture of affairs seemed to invite Him to embrace without delay so profitable and necessary a design, for that now the House of Austria was at a low ebb, distracted with Wars on every side, all the Forces of Spain employed against Catalonia; that they could not want assistance from France, and others that were jealous of the greatness of that House; that now was the time for him to recover that Right which hath been so long detained from his Ancestors; that Fortune seldom offers a man a Kingdom; that this opportunity being let slip, in vain might He hereafter hope for the like, or for succour from the Portugals, when He shall be clapped in prison at Madrid; that if He would not take it upon Him, the whole Kingdom was resolved to change it into a Republic, and then He should not only be equalised with the rest of low Condition, but hated by all, and looked upon as one who refused to be an instrument of His Country's Liberty, and so should be the most unappy man amongst them.  
After a long silence, the Duke told him He thanked him and the whole Nobility for their affections toward Him, but that this was a business of such weight, that it required a more mature deliberation; That he knew well, that this was an Affair of that kind, that knew no medium betwixt the Crown and the Halter. The next night communicating the whole business to his Wife, who is sister to the Duke of Medina Sidonia, a Woman of a Manly courage, fit for such a bold Enterprise; and wavering with Himself whether He had better consent to the Nobility, or fly to Madrid, his Wife thus briefly spoke to him; My Friend, if thou goest to Madrid, thou runnest the hazard of losing thy Head; if thou acceptest the Crown, thou runnest the same hazard; If then thou must perish, better die nobly at home, then basely abroad: At which words the Duke was so animated, that he came forth of his Closet, and bad one of his Confidents go and acquaint the Nobility, that he was resolved to undertake the same Enterprise, and run the same hazard with them all; whereupon, immediately, (for this business could not suffer delay) the Nobility about Midday dispersed themselves into several places of the City, as they had agreed, some amongst the guard of Swisses; some towards the lodging of the Infanta; some to the Castle; others to the Spanish Fleet in the Haven; others to the Spanish Corpse de Guard before the King's Palace; and others to the Lodgings of Vazconzelloes: And at the hour appointed, a Pistol being shot off near the Palace, the next fell upon the Swiss guard; and others hearing the noise of them, fell on in their appointed stations, made themselves Masters of all in a moment, without killing but one Swiss who made resistance, besides Vasconzelloes, who was killed in his chamber, and thrown down out of his window to be a public spectacle to the people. Others presenting themselves before the Vice-Queen, she told them, That if this insurrection had no other aim but to revenge themselves upon Vasconzelloes, she assured them upon returning to their obedience, to gain a general pardon from the King. But she was answered, That as for their most unjust grievances they had now received satisfaction upon Vansconzellos, and had no other King but Don John the fourth. Hereupon the cry went all over Lisbon, God save King John; and from one of the clock till three all shops were shut; but then all were again set open with so great joy and content of the Citizens, that all rancour and malice set apart, the most inveterate enemies embraced one another with tears of joy. The Infanta for more security they removed away from the Palace to the House where anciently the Infanta's of Portugal were wont to dwell, leaving her some Soldiers to guard her. The Archbishop of Lisbon went in solemn procession through the City, and to encourage the people, and fix them the better in their resolutions in choosing a new King, made use of one of the nails wherewith Christ was nailed to the Cross, which he carried in his hand, thereby authorising this insurrection with an act of Religion, to intimate to the people, that all was ordained by the special providence of heaven, and that in defending the cause of Braganza, they should defend the cause of God: To corroborate which conceit, they made use of certain old Prophecies and new Prodigies, that in the person of this Duke was verified a certain apparition of Christ to King Alfonso just as he was ready to give battle to the five Kings of the Moors, by which he was promised not only victory, but that he and his generations should reign to the sixteenth Generation, at which his Race should be thought extinct, but should flourish again when it should be least of all thought upon: They made their observations also upon the day, being the first of December, on which day the City was recovered out of the hands of the Moors, and seized upon by Philip the second, so that it was a day fatal to Lisbon. Amongst other prodigies that were given out to keep the common people the better in their loyalty to their new King, one was, that the next day in the chamber where Vasconzollos' was killed, there were found so great a number of Bats, that none could enter into the room. Also, that the plot should be kept secret so long time, for it was plotted some weeks before it was executed, was reckoned as a great wonder, that among so many persons of different degrees, kindred, age, rich and poor, the design should be kept undiscovered. Another as great a wonder was that Lisbon, a City so wonderfully populous, and the whole Kingdom should with one universal acclamation accept of the Duke, not one person gainsaying, That all the Forts and Castles garrisoned by Spaniards, should be delivered up without resistance, and that all the Spaniards also should be sent away, and the quiet of the Kingdom settled without the effusion of more blood then of two or three persons. The Marquis de la Puebla, kinsman to the Conde Duke, with some other of the principal Spaniards, were secured as Hostages for those Portugals that should be found at Madrid, or else where in the Catholic King's dominion. Thursday following the Duke made his entry into Lisbon, with the general acclamations of all sorts, crying, God save King John, all the Canons discharging, Bells ringing, with Bonfires and Fireworks for three nights following. And the more to gain the people's affections, divers impositions were taken off, prisoners set at liberty, and Offices conferred upon the Race of those whose Ancestors had enjoyed the same under the natural Kings of Portugal.  
All sorts of Men, Clergy or Laymen or women, brought in their Plate, Gold, Jewels, etc. to make money for the maintenace of this new Kingdom. The Clergy brought in as a gift six hundred thousand Crowns, the Nobility four hundred thousand, and the people one Million of Gold.  
The 15 of December the King was sworn, and January the 28 following, was delared and confirmed in a general Assembly or Parliament of the Three States, Lords Spiritual, Lords Temporal, and Commons of that Kingdom.  
The King sent a courteous Compliment by some Nobles to the Infanta Margarit of Savoy, assuring her of all civil usage befitting a Princess of her quality, desiring her withal to forbear all discourse whereby she might instill into his subjects hearts any opinion prejudicial to his most just and righteous cause. But she notwithstanding, with much boldness, after many expressions of thankfulness to the Duke, fell into a large and grave exhortation to tho●e Nobles to lay aside all vain hopes, and return to their true allegiance, not doubting to obtain pardon, but the Rubicon was already passed; nor is any Rhetoric powerful enough to persuade a King to quit a Royal Sceptre.  
The King was about 37 years old when he was proclaimed King, affecting always a plain Garb and sober diet, often saying, that great personages ought to be affable, and that any clothes become them, and any diet nourisheth them; he is very active of body, few there are that can outrun him; and indeed he hath run well that hath gained a Crown. He hath ●y his wife the sister of the Duke of Medina Sidonia, many sons and daughters.  
Thus was the Kingdom of Portugal, the best pearl in the king of Spain's Crown, utterly lost. It is for wealth, power and commodity of situation, above all other that King's Dominions; It is 350 miles long, and about 12● broad, lying all along upon the Sea, thick peopled and powerful at Sea. With it revolted all the Tercera Islands, all the East Indies, all upon the coast of Africa, but only one Town called Ceuta, which is the only place that belonged to the Portugal Kings, that is now in the hand of the Spaniard.  
Immediately Ambassadors were dispatched into England and Holland, but chiefly into Catalonia, to offer them all aid and assistance possible. The news of the general Revolt of Portugal struck a general sadness in all the Court at Madrid, only the Conde Duke came laughing to the King (some would thereby collect, that the Duke took great delight in chastising the people, and imposing new Laws) and demanded of His Majesty las Albricias, as they call it, that is A reward for bringing of good news, for that His Majesty was now absolute over Portugal, (the People having forfeited all their Privileges by their Rebellion) and lawful Owner o● all the Estate of the duke of Braganza, and all the Nobles his followers, to disp●●se amongst his Loyal Subjects: Although others imagine with more reason, that the Conde Duke inwardly resented that business more than any man; but according to his manner, would set a good face on it.  
After so many principal Feathers had been plucked out of the Austrian Eagle; as if the world had conspired to leave Her sta●k naked, some nearer home began to be plucking likewise. The Duke of Medina Sidonia, whose sister was now Queen of Portugal, with some other discontented Nobles of Andaluzia (the next best Country that the King of Spain had at this time) resolve by the help of the Portugal, their next Neighbour, and the assistance of the French and Dutch fleet, then near upon that Coast, to Cantonize all Andaluzia, and Medina Sidonia to be Head thereof; unless the King would be persuaded to change the present Ministers of state, and require a ●ust account of so many Millions gathered of the People; which if He would do, they would then continue his Loyal Subjects: But the Conde Duke by his cunning extinguished this fire in the Birth, for with much sweetness and fair words, without the least violence, he drew the Duke of Medina Sidonia to Madrid, and secured his person (as he stands at this day in Valliadolid) and sent another Governour with such instructions, that he satisfied or terrified all turbulent spirits.  
These many disasters one upon the neck of another, awaked the Court of Spain▪ and so startled them, that they now began to double their diligence and circumspecti▪ insomuch that the Council of State sat constantly morning and Evening, to provide against the many storms that threatened on every side. Not long before the disgrace and death of the Conde Duke, was discovered the unparaleld Forgery of Michael de Molina, and his Treachery in giving informations, some false and some true, to most of the Ambassadors of Foreign States; which for its extraordinary strangeness (for it is Exemplum sine Exemplo) shall after this Relation be fully rehearsed.  
But to proceed, nevertheless the Conde Duke cast all the miscarriages in Portugal upon the Infanta; and laboured as much as possibly he could to hinder her from coming to Court, lest she should justify herself, and cast (if not suspicion upon his Loyalty, yet at least a foul blot upon his Reputation; therefore she being sent out of Portugal, was by Olivarez means confined in Estremadurae, and afterwards at Ocania near Madrid, where she was not allowed necessaries; which made her at length privately fly away to Madrid.  
Besides the Infanta, he had also much discontented the chief Nobility, who afterward all helped to pull him out of his seat; for he never thought himself sufficiently assured in the King's favour and command of the Kingdom, unless after Tarquin's example▪ he abased (instead of cutting off) the Heads of the Grandees; the house of Lerma, the house of Toledo, the Duke of Alva, the duke of Ferrandino, the duke of Hijar, the dukes of Maqueda, Lemos, Fuentecalida, Altamire, etc. All either ruined or disgraced by the Duke's means. Only the Conde de Monterey, and the Marquis de Leganes were thought worthy by Olivarez to have part in the Government, two Men of mean extraction and Fortune, by their prodigious exactions (for which they were called Los does Ladrones, the two Thiefs) raised to incredible wealth. Whereat the prime Nobility of Spain were so much incensed, that they all withdrew themselves from Court, none waiting upon the King at Table, at Chapel, nor in Hunting; so that Olivarez now was said to be sole Servant, as sole Master of his Catholic Majesty; at which time he was in his third Seventh year, or grand Climacterical of his Favour, for he declined and fell soon after, beyond the hopes and expectation, but on this side the desires and wishes of the w●ole Monarchy. Because the Fall of this huge tall Cedar was so late and eminent, the manner of his Fall, the Ropes and Engines made use of, together with the Persons that put their Hands to this work, shall be more particularly related.  
The favour of the Count Olivarez, duke of St Lucar, which had continued twenty two years, had cast so deep roots in the heart of the King, that all the world believed it to be as immovable as the old Oak that resists all storms; and that it was never to be shaken, neither by the Winds of Envy, nor the Whirlwinds of persecution, nor yet by the Tempests which of▪ ten arise in King's Courts by the conspiracies and conjurations of those who are ambitious of rule; that which upheld this common conceit was the natural inclination which the King had from his youth to the person and rare endowments of the Lord Duke; an inclination which proceeded as some judged rather out of a kind of respect then bare amity, because the affection towards him which upon all ocasions he expressed was not a token of singular love only, but of a certain fear to do any thing that might give the least disgust to him, which was no small diminution of his Royal greatness, and seemed to overthrow the very order which Nature and the laws doth establish 'twixt King and subject: insomuch that some out of respect to his Majesty would not question his prudence, but rather believe and publish that this so strong passion could not be effected without some kind of witchcraft; but the Duke's known virtues were sufficient to convince such popular slanders.  
The first motives of the disgrace of the Lord Duke, were the unfortunate successes of the Monarchy of Spain, whilst he had the managing thereof. In the loss of Ormus, Goa and all those other vast dominions in the East Indies, the loss of Brasile and the Terceras Lands, of the Kingdom of Portugal and the Principality of Catalonia, the two most populous and fertile parts of all that Continent: of Rossillion and a part of Burgundy: of Hesdin and Arras in Flanders, of divers strong Towns in Luxemburg, of that most important Place Brisach: The impoverishment and almost ruin of the Kingdoms of Naples, and Sicily, and of the Duchy of Milan: the loss of above two hundred ships at sea: the extorting from the subject by First fruits; One part whereof was employed towards the raising of Armies that were soon lost, and to rig Navies that were soon destroyed; the other part hoarded up in the Coffers of the Vice Royes, Governors, Generals and other Ministers of state, his creatures. ●ll these things laid together made the world desire to see the recovery of these losses built upon his ruins, by his fall to see the rise of the Monarchy, and by his disgrace and ruin to set up the reputation of the King and reformation of the State.  
But desires effect little, there must be vigorous endeavours to remove such a favourite, with a resolution to ruin or be ruined, no medium there; Chi vuoll appicar il sonaglio alla gatta? when none other durst venture to hang the bell about the Cat's neck, it was undertaken by the Queen.  
It happened that the King going in person to his Army in Catalonia, the Queen was left Governess at Madrid, where she had opportunity to employ and make known her rare qualities and endowments; for abateing the austere gravity of the Spaniard, and mixing it with the courtesy of the French; she oft visited the soldiery about Madrid, discoursed with the Captains, took order for their pay, encouraged them to serve faithfully the King, caused Justice to be administered with integrity, gave often audience to all sorts, discontented none in the raising monies, and in all affairs behaved herself with such an heroic discretion; that all men esteemed her the most deserving Queen that ever Spain had, the fame of her merit that had been buried so many years, arrived to the King's ear at his return to Madrid, where she took occasion to speak of the Interest of the Monarchy, of the loss of Kingdoms and ruin of Armies, the want of money, the continual complaints of subjects: and that the King might not imagine she spoke in opposition to the Duke, she authorised all with the testimonies of some of the principal Ministers of state, who had already agreed to second her so soon as she had broken the ice; amongst whom was the Count de Castrillo, who was the more forward herein, not only because he was a lover of the Public, but also because he was brother to the Marquis de Carpio who married the Duke's sister, whereby he had Don Lewes de Haro (the present favourite) who was the only nephew of the Duke, yet disinherited by him to the end he might advance his bastard.  
The King considering their discourse, began to be persuaded at length that if the Duke had any longer the Managery of the state all would come to ruin; hereupon every day abateing the fervour of his affections towards him, he would sometimes reproach the Duke that he was ill informed, and sometimes that he was a most unfortunate man: The Duke foreseeing his declination, demanded leave to retire himself from the Court; whereto the King answered coldly, my Lord, we ought both of us to devise some remedy for these misfortunes. In the mean time it was noised abroad that the favour of the Duke was so shaken that one shock more would down with it to the ground, all men blessing and commending the Queen, crying that the Isabells' were ever fortunate to the Monarchy of Spain, Isabella of Portugal wife of King John the 2d overthrew the insolent favour of Alvares de Luna, and discharged her husband's Kingdom of the tyranny of that favourite: Isabel de Castille demonstrated to Ferdinand her Husband that in the King's Court, the King's favourite ought to be none but the Queen that the subjects were born only to obey and the King to command: and that the happy removal of this most puissant favourite could be hoped from no other hand but of Isabel de Bourbon.  
When a Tree is falling, every one cries Down with it. A Lady that was once the King's Nurse, Donna Anna de Guevara, partly out of zeal to the King's service, and partly to be revenged on the Duchess, as the King was to pass by night from his Lodgings to the Queens, she put herself in the passage, casting herself at the king's feet, & having protested that she was not there to demand any grace at his Majesty's hands, but to render to the Crown of Spain the greatest service that it could receive; she said that her motherly affection enforced her to discover to his Majesty what perhaps many others durst not for human respects. The King giving her leave to speak freely, she represented unto him the general affliction of his people, the calamity of his Kingdoms, the abuses committed in his Revenues, the many losses on every side, and the sad condition of the whole Monarchy of Spain showing him, that these evils were the judgements of God upon him, for suffering the government of his Kingdoms which God had appointed for him only, to continue in the hands of another, that now it was high time that his Majesty should be out of his minority, and that he should not incense the wrath of God against him, by suffering his poor subjects to be abused,; at least that he would have compassion on the Prince his Son, who ran an hazard to be simple King of Castille, or less; concluding, that if she had offended his Majesty by her liberty of speech, she was ready to receive punishment, being well content having given her milk for the good of her King, to sacrifice her blood for the good of the Realms of her Prince. The King having harkened unto her with much attention, answered, Haveis hablado verdades, You have told me the truth.  
After this appears upon the Stage (for perfecting the Catastrophe of the Duke's Tragedy) the Infanta Margarite de Savoy Duchess of Savoy, who had been so roughly handled by the Duke both before & after her leaving Portugal, being secretly come from Ocania, where she had been in a manner confined, and arrived at Court, the Duke did his utmost to debar her audience with the King, and to discredit her in the Council of State, and would not vouchsafe to visit her. Nevertheless the Queen invited her to come to her Lodgeing, and took order that she should have opportunity to speak with the King for two hours' space.  
The Infanta gave God thanks for her safe deliverance out of the hands of the Portugals, that after so great sufferings, she might once more appear in the presence of his Majesty, to make known her innocence, and the failings and errors of others, made a brief Relation of all things passed in Portugal, making it appear that she was innocent, and that the loss of Portugal was to be attributed to the carelessness and negligence, if not to the intention of the Duke. The Queen in the mean time failed not to help out the Infanta in all her discourse, which left so deep an impression in the heart of the King, that it may truly be said, That the mortal wound was given that very day to the favour of the Duke. To dispatch him the sooner, it was represented to the King what little respect the Grandees bore now to his Majesty, not waiting upon him as they were wont, but all retiring themselves. The King asked the Marquis of Carpio what was the reason hereof? Who replied, That being little accounted of by the Duke, they judged it more meet to forbear the services they owed to his Majesty, then to lie under the suspicion of the Duke, and to give him occasion by their residence at Court, to make them feel the effects of his jealousy. To help forward, there happened a memorable accident in Segovia, where six men masked entering by force into the Governor's house, who imagining them to be Robbers, offered them money, and all that he had, so they would not defile his wife, and deflower his daughters: One of them answered, That they were not come to rob him, but to serve the King, and delivering a paper into his hands, told him, that if he would save his life, t he should go immediately to Madrid and present this Writing, not to the Duke, but to the King himself, that it contained affairs very secret, and of great importance to the State, and to the service of his Majesty; and would not depart till they saw him upon his way to Madrid, threatening to kill him if he performed not that whereto he was obliged as a subject, and as a Minister of the Kings. Being arrived, he had audience of the King, and so was sent back to his Government. It was judged by the circumstances, that the contents of the Writing was very prejudicial to the Duke.  
Hereunto may be added one thing more that might probably have a strong influence upon the spirit of the King for the removal of his Favourite. The Marquis of Grana, Ambassador in Madrid for the Emperor, bringing with him the hereditary valour of the House of Caretti, the courage, prudence, and conduct of Affairs whereof he hath given sufficient testimonies in the military employments which he hath had many years in Italy, in Flanders, and in Germany, together with his great gift of five Languages, which he speaks as if they were all natural, hath gained him a great esteem with all men. And the liberty which he used in speaking of the affairs of the State (although it proceeded from the natural ingenuity and zeal towards the interest of the House of Austria) rendering him odious to the Duke, whose ears had been accustomed to hear only applauses full of flattery, and not the plain sincere truth, having now an opportunity to revenge himself with Justice, did it to the purpose: For having received a letter from the Emperor to the King, that the affairs of the House of Austria grew worse and worse every day, so that if speedy order were not taken, all would be ruined, that his Majesty ought to consider well the quality of the person that had made him lose Portugal, Catalonia, and so many other Dominions, etc. He presently communicates the same to the Queen, together with his instructions, that he had a part of what he should do therein (for the Letter was open) and so had audience of the King, where it may well be imagined with what violence and ardour he pressed the affair against his enemy.  
To all these assaults that came upon the neck one of another, this was none of the least, that the Prince Don Balthasar Carlos the only son of the King, was now going into the fourteenth year of his Age; yet to the great astonishment of all the world, he continued under the tuition of Women, without any Officers and servants given him, after the manner of Princes; whereas at the same time one of the King's base sons of the same age had a Court form him, was declared Generalissimo of Portugal, Prince of the Sea, and Grand Prior of Castille for the order of Malta, and named Don John de Austria, and had the Marquis of Castanieda given him for his Governor; whereat the people murmured greatly: For this Don John was begotten upon a Woman of base Extraction, called la Calderona, a Comedian, not handsome, but of extraordinary pleasantness; who is since made a Nun. The Youth being of excellent parts, and like to make a gallant Man, was much affected by the King, though he be quite of another complexion.  
The King having before been earnest to have form a Family and Officers for the Prince, the Conde Duke always hindered the same; because first, he feared that the Prince, who was of a most lively spirit, would then find out that abroad, whereof the King was kept ignorant at home. Secondly, to gain an opportunity by prolonging the time, for Don Henry his Bastard to fashion himself for the Court, and by his Match and Honours conferred upon him, be at length reputed fit to be Governor to the Prince, and succeed in the grace and favour of the King. At length the King being earnestly solicited by the Queen, form a List of the Servants that were to serve the Prince in his Court now to be erected, because he was of the Age of Fourteen years; giving notice to the Duke that provision might be made of all things necessary for a Court: The Duke took the List and changed a great number in the same, which displeased the King extremely, having been before for other reasons sufficiently moved; after the King spoke of the Prince's Lodgings, desiring to know the Duke's Opinion; who answered, That his Highness would be very well in the Lodgings of the Infante Cardinal deceased: But why my Lord (replied the King) will not He be better in those Lodgings you are in at present, which are the very Lodgings that my Father and I had being Princes? The Duke was with this struck dumb, perceiving well that his disgrace drew near: for certain it is, That his extreme insolence hastened as much as possible the Resolution that the King had taken: For that very Evening his Majesty wrote him a Billet with his own Hand, whereby he forbade him to meddle any more in the Government; and from henceforward he should retire to Loeches, not far from Madrid, until farther Order should be given. The Duke read this Billet without any disturbance, resolving in a matter of that weight not to discharge his mind but to his Wife only, to whom he sent the Note by a Post to Loeches.  
Next day she came weeping to her Husband; and after two hours' discourse went to speak with the King, who soon dispatched her, the same day she cast herself with tears at the Queen's feet, beseeching her to intercede for them, in consideration of the many services and sincere faithfulness of the Duke her husband.  
The Queen gave her a short answer, Lo que han hecho Dios los vasallos y los malos sucessos no lo puede deshazer el Rey in ye. What God, the people, and evil successes have done, the King nor I can undo. This business was not known Friday and Saturday to any but Don Lewis de Haro, of whom the King made use to talk with the Duke about some secret affairs. This Don Lewis de Haro is Nephew to the Duke, but so hated by him, that lately his mother dying, who was sister to the Duke, he would not once send to visit him; notwithstanding Don Lewis carried himself so Nobly in this occasion, that casting himself at the king's feet, he beseeched him that in regard the Duke's removal was irrevocable, yet that it would please his Majesty at least that it should be done with all the mildness, and with as little diminution of his Honour, as the Justice of his Majesty could permit. The King hereupon granted that the Duke should continue three days in his Palace; that he should assist at the Counsels and Assemblies, and give Audience for his particular affairs: Also, it was permitted to the Duke, that in presence of the chief Notary, and of Secretary Carnero, he should review all his Papers, and burn what he pleased; which he did: Though the King were thought too indulgent therein.  
The same day, as some came to have Audience of the Duke, he bade let them know, That he was a little indisposed, and suffered none to enter. Saturday morning the King sent to demand the Key wherewith he entered the King's Lodgings at his pleasure; but he sent to demand Audience of the King, which He granted him in public before the Patriarch, and divers Gentlemen of his Bedchamber; where he spoke more than a quarter of an hour; and whereas the King was wont to hear with attention those that spoke, he now seemed to be careless of what the Duke said; who having made an end, went immediately into a Junta, where he showed himself as rigorous as ever; and handled so roughly two of the Secretaries, that they said afterwards one to another, Que Diablo tiene el Conde en la Cabe●a nos ha' tratadoes como trapos viejos. What the Devil aileth the Count? He hath handled us like Scullions. The same day some Ambassadors demanded audience of him, but had not admission under pretence that he was not well. Finally, that evening being St. Anthony's day, the disgrace of the Duke began to be noised in the Palace, but with such excess of joy, as that the next morning was found a paper stuck up at the Palace gate with these verses;  

En el dia de Sant Antonio  
Hisieronse milagroes does  
Empeço a reinar Dios  
Y del Rey se echo el Demonio.   

Upon the day of Saint Anthony  
God did his reign begin,  
The Devil on the same Saint's day  
Was cast out of the King.   
Next day being Sunday, the joy was so universal, that had it not been a little kerbed by the fear that men had that the Duke by his craft would regain the King's favour, there would have been public fires of joy; however all that day the Fruterers & Bakers threw their Wares to those that would have them, without taking any money, to testify their excess of joy and contentment.  
Monday the King, Queen, Prince, Infanta, and Duchess of Mantua, passing all in one Coach towards the Carmelites, a great multitude of people followed, crying, Viva el Rey por lo que ha hecho viva el Rey y muer a el mal govierno. God save the King for what he hath done; let the King live, and the ill government die. There arrived also an infinite number of people to participate of the common joy which was taken for the disgrace of the Duke.  
Tuesday the Duchess with extraordinary submissiveness, attempted again to make an accommodation, but all in vain, whereat the Duke was so enraged against the Queen, whom he looked upon as the sole cause of his disfavour, that as soon as the King was departed to go to the Escurial, he carried himself in the Counsels and Junta's in such a manner that he made the world believe he was yet to stay, which not only cooled the general joy, but amazed the Queen so greatly, that that night she wrote a most pressing letter to the King concerning him.  
Thursday evening, the King returning towards Madrid, met on the way ten Grandees of Spain, and asked them what was happened at Madrid, that made so many come together? Don Melchior de Borgia answered him, That the time was how come, that his Majesty might know the true devotion of the Grandees towards the Crown, and that if heretofore they had not waited upon him according to their obligations, his Majesty knew well ●he reason of the same.  
The King being arrived at the Palace in Madrid, asked whether the Duke was retired, it was answered, No. The King 〈◊〉 a chafe turning to Don Lewes de Haro, ●ying, Que aguarda el hombre, la fuerca? What doth the man stay for to be thrust out? Hereupon the Duke seeing no more hopes left, prepared himself to be gone, spending the whole night in viewing his papers, and burning a great part of them. In the mean time the people longed to see the day of his departure, and one more impatient than the rest, set abroad this Distich;  

Phosphor red diem, quid gaudia nostra moraris,  
Ecce Comes Cecidit! Phosphore red diem.   
Friday about one of the clock afternoon, he departed not without much artifice; For fearing to be torn in pieces by the people, having caused Coaches and Mules to stand ready for three days together before he intended to depart; But as the Coaches with six Horses waited at the great gate of the Palace, he went forth by the back gate behind the kitchen, and put himself into an ill-favoured Coach drawn with four Mules, where having drawn the Curtains, and placed himself between two jesuits, as if he had been going to execution, he took his way by the street of Atocha, at the same time that his Family in his velvet Coaches passed the ordinary way, where they were met with a company of Boys, that thinking the Duke was there, discharged a shower of stones at the Coaches; but being shown that the Duke was not there, they ceased; so that the Duke by this subtlety arrived safe at Loeches, a place whereof he had the Royalty.  
In the mean time the Duchess continued at Court, governing the Prince and little Infanta; but without once entering into the Queen's chamber.  
Now the consequences of this disgrace of Olivarez, are many, and those very remarkable. In the first place, the King hath thereby recovered the credit and reputation which he had utterly lost in the opinions of all men as well foreigners as sublects, who saw him so wholly led away by the will of the Conde Duke, that he seemed rather a Subject than a Sovereign.  
But on the Saturday after the departure▪ of Olivarez, the King called a Council of State in his Lodgings, where he spoke so judiciously, that all admired his ability, and testified by their tears their great affections and respects towards him: The subject of the King's discourse was to advertise the Council how he had deprived the Conde Duke of his dignities, not for any crime that he had committed, but to satisfy himself in giving satisfaction and content to his subjects; That his desire was, That the memory of the Conde Duke might be kept in esteem among all men for the good services which he had so faithfully rendered to the Crown so many years, protesting for the future, not to give the Title of Favourite to any of his subjects, but to assist himself in all Counsels, and that all weighty affairs should pass through his own hands, commanding to every one of those there, to speak their opinions freely without partiality at all times, and not to conceal the truth from him. Whereto the Cardinal Borgia, as head of that Council, answered, That they would give obedience to these his Majesty's commands, as to Laws Divine.  
Next day his Majesty having called together all his Gentlemen of his Bedchamber, whereof most are Grandees of Spain; he demanded the assistance of their Tenants, Friends and Kindred, for the speedy settlement of the kingdom: Which together with other testimonies of prudence and care that his Majesty manifested, made all men say, It was now the time that Philip the fourth deserved the surname of Grand, which had been given him by the flattery of Olivarez, at that time when he caused his Majesty to lose his Dominions and Reputation.  
Next day the King caused all his plate to be coined into money, by whose example also the Nobility and Commons sent theirs to the Mint, and all contented themselves to be served in earthen ware.  
The next consequence of Olivarez disgrace was the advancements of divers Noblemen to their dignities, and the pulling down of the Favourites of the Conde Duke.  
The third effect, and perhaps that which Olivarez resented most of all, is the miserable condition of his Bastard son, a business of that strange and extraordinary carriage, that it is worthy a large Treatise, but was briefly thus: The Conde Duke being at Madrid twelve years before he was in favour at Court, fell in love with Donna Marguerita Spinola, whose Father was a Genua, and mother a Spaniard. This Lady, though noble and rich, yet was not free from temptations, amongst which riches and honour are the most efficacious. Don Francisco de Valeasar, Alcalde of the Court and Palace, one of the highest places of Judicature in Spain, although he had a wife, one Donna Marguerita to his lust, maintained her and her family at his charges, and with profuse presents and jewels, kept her wholly to himself. At length Olivarez with much difficulty, got a share in her also; and she soon after had a son named Julian, which none then made doubt to be the son of the Alcalde, who nevertheless understanding that others had had a finger in the pie as well as himself, took no affection to, nor care of the child; so he was brought up idly by the mother until the age of 18 years; at which time his mother dying, and he finding himself without father or mother, went boldly to the Alcalde, and besought him to declare him his son, that so he might not be exposed to the world without Father and without Name; protesting that he would never lay claim to any thing, but only under the name of Valeasar he would get his living with his Sword. The Alcalde wholly uncertain that he was his child, would not be induced to declare thus till upon his deathbed, and then rather out of charity than belief that he was his son. So then by the name of Julian Valeasar he went first into the Indies, where for some Roguery he was condemned to be hanged; but because the Vice-king there was a great friend to the Alcalde, he gave him his pardon. Thence he went into Flanders and Italy, where he served as a common Soldier, but was very debauched and of rude behaviour. In the mean time Olivarez having no further hope of children, sent to search out this vagabond Valeasar, who he remembered was born at the time that he had to do with his mother; but before Valeasar could be found, he had married D. Isabel de Azueta, a common Strumpet; nevertheless November 1641. to the astonishment of all men, Olivarez owned him for his son, and declared him so by a public act by the good will and pleasure of his Majesty, wherein he names him, Don Henry Philipe de Guzman, heir apparent of the Count de Olivarez, and of the Duchy of St. Lucar, so soon as it shall please his Majesty in acknowledgement of his services, to make him a Grandee of Spain; because the Title of Duke in Castille is not given but to those that may stand covered in the King's presence.  
Olivarez advertized all Ambassadors and Grandees hereof, to the great displeasure of all his Family and Kindred; then resolves to marry him with one of the principal Ladies of Spain: To which end he cast his eye upon the first: Lady of the Court, Donna Juana de Velasco, daughter to the Constable of Castille, who for Nobleness of blood is not to be equalled by any the Subjects of that Kingdom. For he shows in the Arms of his Predecessors, five Royal Quarters. To accomplish this match, it was necessary to annul the former marriage by an order from Rome. The Pope deputes the Bishop of Avila with full power, who notwithstanding the Protests of the woman, gave sentence against her, because she was not married by her own Parson, although some more conscientious Divines gave their opinions in favour of the woman, and that the marriage was good and valuable; but the authority of the Favourite prevailed over these reasons, and the marriage was solemnly broken. In pursuance whereof Olivarez treated for a match with the said Lady, and in spite of her Father and Kindred, obtained her for his Bastard. And here one might observe the base spirits of Flatterers, for all the Grandees, all the Nobility of the Court, all Officers of State, went to give Don Henry el para bien, or joy of his marriage, treating him by the Title of Excellency, and giving him respect fitter for a King than a subject. In the mean time he became so ridiculous a personage in his carriag, that not being accustomed to such ceremonies he often fell into great absurdities which made some Italians say, Don Harrigo era un Facchino vestito da ReSpagnuolo. That Don Henry was a ploughman dressed like a King.  
A Palace was provided for Duke Henry, so rich and sumptuous that never any, Grandee of Spain had the like, Presents were sent him from all persons and all Places, the Duke of Medina de las Torres sent him a present valued at twenty five thousand Crowns. Don Henry received the Habit of Alcantara with a commandry of ten thousand Crowns and was declared a gentleman of the King's bed chamber with promise to have the Charge of Precedent of the Indies and all to make way for to be governor to the Prince for which purpose the Prince was kept under the government of the Duchess of Olivares and no Court form longer than the ordinary and accustomed time. Now the hatred was so general and so great against D. Henry who could not forbear his base carriage and behaviour that the people sang publicly.  

Enriquez de does Numbers y does Mugeres,  
Hijo de does Padres y does Madres,  
Valgate el Diablo el Hombre que mas quisieres.   Harry, a Man of two Names and two Wives; a Son of two Fathers and two Mothers. The Devil take him that owns thee. 
The declaring of this Bastard heir to Olivarez, greatly displeased the Marquis of Carpio, who married Olivarez sister, because hereby was disinherited the right Heir Don Lewis de Haro, son to the said Marquis, already declared so, an honest Gentleman, and of good parts, and at present sole Favourite in the Court of Spain.  
Upon the fall of the Conde Duke, Don Henry immediately lost the Title of Excellency, his great train, and the King's favour, and from a great Idol became a Man of Clouts, scorned by all men. The Constable intended to take home his daughter, and to declare the former marriage valuable. But some Nobles with whom he advised thereof, telling him that he should forbear such attempt; for the former marriage being declared valuable, his daughter will be declared an Adulteress; whereto he answered, I had rather Donna Juana were taken for my daughter and a Whore, then chaste and wife of such a Fellow.  
Not long after D. Henry died without issue, and his Father the Conde Duke of grief ended his days at the House where he was confined; the one ending like a Comet after a great blaze for a short time; the other like a Candle, after a long time in a snuff.  
Next followeth the unparallelled Case of Michael de Molina.   

Exemplum sine Exemplo: OR, The unparallelled IMPOSTURE OF Michael de Molina, Executed at Madrid in the Year 1641▪  
Faithfully Translated out of the SPANISH.  
LONDON, Printed for Tho. Heath, 1653.   

Exemplum sine Exemplo: OR, The unparallelled CASE OF Michael de Molina Executed at Madrid in the Year 1641. Faithfully Translated out of the SPANISH.  
MIchael de Molina, born of honest parents at Cuenea, a City in the Kingdom of Castille, bred there in the Jesuits College, and after at the University of Alcala de Henares; to try his fortune, went thence to Court, where to gain a living speedily, he undertook to give secret intelligence to the secretaries of the several Ambassadors then residing at that Court; and to give the more credit to his reports, gave out, That he was servant to Andrew de Rojas, Cavalier of the order of Santiago, and secretary of the Council of State: insomuch that he forged letters, feigned discourses, framed intelligences fitted for the purposes and affairs of the Ambassadors wherewith he dealt, counterfeited the King's hand, invented Ciphers, made consultations and orders to the number of 345 several Papers, and all with that dexterity, that he deceived and abused not only the secretaryes of the Emperor the Venetian, and French Ambassadors, but also and most of all, Don Lorenço Coqui, secretary to the late Don Lorenço Campegi, Nuntio to the Pope; in whose house he was at length apprehended; upon whose apprehension and search of his papers, he told the officers That if the tenor of those papers should be looked upon as jests and conceits, he should not speed so ill; but if as a crime it would appear so great that one life would not be enough to pay for the same. And his Majesty takeing notice that the business was of that importance that the like had not been heard or found in any History, Commanded that there should be on purpose a Court of Justice composed of two of the chief Nobility, and two of the Chief Judges, before whom when the said Michael de Molina was sufficiently convinced, and had made a large confession (which for its matchless strangeness shall be verbatim set down) he was sentenced as followeth;  
IN the town of Madrid July 31 1641. the Lords of his Majesty's Counsel, who by particular order have taken cognizance of the accusation given in by Don Marcellino Faria de Guzman Attorney, nominated by his Majesty▪ for this cause against Michael de Molina late of Cuenca, prisoner in the Gaol of this Court for offences and high treason committed by him, whereof he hath been accused, do condemn the said Michael Molina to be hanged on a gallows, and his goods to be confiscated to the King's use, the execution whereof they leave to the Lord Judge D. John de Quinnoves; and this is their will and pleasure.  
This sentence was made known to the prisoner upon the first of August, and execution done accordingly in the Plaça Major of Madrid, the third day following; at which time and place the Proclamation usually made at the execution was thus;  
THis is the Justice which the King our Sovereign Lord commandeth to be done upon this man, for having committed high treason, and published falsities, forgeries, and horrible cheats on the affairs and grave ministers of state; for which he commands that he be hanged by the neck till he die, to the end that it may be to him for a punishment, and to others an example; then concludes, Quien tall haze tall pague, He that thus doth, let him thus pay for the same. As he stood upon the ladder ready to be turned off, he delivered in writing to father Andrew Emanuel of the Society of Jesus, a declaration, the contents whereof ensueth word for word;  
Loyal subjects of our sovereign Lord the King, I am Michael de Molina born at Cuenca, the grievousness of my crimes is so great, that a punishment can hardly be invented to equalise mine offences against God, against our sovereign Lord the King whom God preserve, against the Emperor, against my native country; against the Lord Duke de Olivarez, and Sant Lucar, against the most grave, faithful and loyal Ministers of state, whom I have discredited with my forgeries and lies. The clemency of the King our sovereign (whom God preserve) hath been very eminent in sentencing me so mercifully, God grant, to whom I now go to render a strict account, that there be found mercy for me in the life to come, and that I then pay not for the clemency showed me here. I do here declare and confess upon mine own free will, that not having the fear of God nor man before mine eyes, I have been the cause of the gretest part of the mischiefs that this Monarchy suffereth, and of those calamities and miseries which you faithful people yet suffer, for which I humbly beg pardon of all those that are absent, as well as of you here present. For I am the man that feigned that the King our sovereign Lord (whom God preserve) and the Emperor, instigated thereunto by the Lord Duke of Saint Lucar, and fomented by him, did plot the death of our most holy father Urban the 8th Pope, head of the Church, and vicar of Christ, for which purpose I invented and contrived orders of the King our sovereign, and of the Emperor, letters from the Duke, Orders, instructions and judgements of the Counselors of State with letters from Vice Royes and Ambassadors, with purpose to abuse and deceive the Nuntio and the Ambassadors of several Princes, and thereby to get money from them, not caring for the damage might arise and accrue from thence to the world, and to this Monarchy; and not contented here with, I invented that in case the said death could not be effected, that then endeavour should be to call a Council, and to depose the Pope, or make a schism in the Church. I invented and forged, that the Lord Duke did by order from the King, the Emperor and the Counsel of state, endeavour to kill the Cardinal Richelieu, Favourite to the most Christian King of France; for which purpose, and for the death of the Pope, I feigned persons that were to have been instruments of the same; I gave notice to the Ambassadors hereof showing them letters and Orders which I feigned as I judged meet. I made them believe that I was an Officer of the Counsel of state, and that by that means I came to the knowledge of these plots and conspiracies, whereby I have disturbed the world, caused jealousies and suspicions amongst all the Princes of Europe, and the mischiefs that this Monarchy now suffereth. I also advertised the Ambassadors, and the enemies of this state, of letters, consults, orders and decrees made by the King and Counsel for driving the French out of Piedmont, the Correspondencies of the Cardinal of Savoy with the subjects of that state for effectuating the same; the coming of Prince Thomas from Flanders to Savoy for the same purpose, and to lay siege to Casal, of an Army to be raised and maintained in Alsatia; of an intention to kill Duke Bernard de Weimar General of the Swedes, the intentions of the King our Sovereign, with the states of Venice and Genoa concerning Piedmont and Casal; the purpose of supplies which both states of Venice and Genoa would send to France and Holland; and the intentions of the Pope to assist France against Spain; the intent of England to ●●gue with Spain; the purpose that the French and Hollanders had to join their fleets to hinder all succours of Flanders, and to surprise the plate fleet, and infect the coasts of Spain; the design that the Hollander had upon Antwerp in the year 1638. the success of Fontarabie; whereupon I feigned letters from the Prince of Conde, and from the Duchess de Chever●use; also concerning the imprisonment of Don Gualterio Peni Secretary and Resident for France in this Court, with whom I had intimate friendship, which was the ground of all these disasters: of the secret compliance between the Cardinal Infante, and the Prince of Orange: of the conspirarcy by the Prince of Orange to kill the Cardinal Richelieu; the design of Holland, that the States of Flanders should be independent of Spain, and our King should renounce his right to the Cardinal Infanta to the end the Hollanders should receive him, and subject themselves to him: of the capitulations and agreement 'twixt the King our Sov: and the Duke of Modena, whereby I feigned that the said Duke was to assist with six thousand men, at his own charge, against France; and that the King was to give him the charge of Viceroy of Catalonia, and twenty thousand soldiers to enter into France by Catalonia which was the first ground of the war at Salsas and Perpignian the key of Catalonia; of the general resolutions of the year 1639. in order to the affairs of Germany, Flanders, and Italy: of the purpose to take away the Nuntios Court in these kingdoms for the disorders and excesses of the same: of the great resentments of the King our sovereign against the King of France, for his leagueing with the Swedes, his confederation with the Turks and Protestant Princes of Germany, for his protection and league with Holland; for his commerce with Venice and Genoa to the great discommodity of Spain; for the disunion which he endeavoured to make between Spain and England: of the resentment that the King our Sovereign had against the Pope, for his amity and assisting of France; and not his endeavouring rather as a father of the whole Church to pacify the wars by all means possible; of the design of changing the commanders in chief of all the Emperor's armies and the Spanish, thereby to make the people desperate, because of the failing of faith and credit; of the recruiting and arming the Galleys of Spain, Sicily and Naples for the maintaining commerce, secret intelligence in Toulon and Marseilles: of the capitulation of the Venetian with the grand Turk, and the means whereby they drew the Turk to assent to their demands, and the little security the Turk had from them: all which I invented, feigned and contrived; together with many more letters, Ciphers, Papers, etc. without any intelligence, correspondence, or amity with any officer or Minister of state of this kingdom, but that I alone without the help or assistance of any other have feigned and invented all the foresaid designs, whereof I gave information to the Nuntio and his secretary, to the said Ambassadors, and to Monsiver de Penny with whom I have kept correspondence in France since the breaking forth of the war: the which as a truth I swear before God, and declare it for discharging my conscience; I ask of God forgiveness, also of the King our sovereign (whom God preserve) of the Emperor, of the Lord Duke, against whom I directed most of those forgeries, of the Duke of Medina las Torres, of the Marquis of Leganés, of the Duke of Villahernosa, of the Count of Oniate, of the Marquis of Villa Franca, of the Marquis of Mirabel, of the most illustrious Lord Inquisitor General, the father Confessor of the most Eminent Cardinals, the Cardinal Borgia, and Cardinal Spinola, and Cardinal of Sandoval, of the Lord Don Geronimo of Villanueva, Pronotary of Arragon and secretary of state, of Don Andrew de Rojas secretary of state, of the Ambassador of Genoa, and of all the rest whom I have falsely defamed by these forgeries and Impostures; and also I ask pardon of all the faithful and loyal subjects of these kingdoms, charging them to take example by me. And to the end that it may be manifested to all times, I thus make declaration, that God may pardon me, and for the satisfaction of this, and all other Nations which I have disturbed with the wickedness of my inventions. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my name, Dated in the Plaça Mayor, and place of Execution in Madrid, the 3 of August 1641. Thus ended Michael de Molina, in whom the Refran or Spanish proverb was verified.  
Quien en un ano choir ser rico al medio le ahorcan, He that will be rich in one year, shall be hanged at half years' end.  
FINIS.   

THE RIGHT & TITLE OF The present KING OF PORTUGAL: Don John the Fourth.  
With the most Memorable Passages of his Reign.  
LONDON, Printed for Tho. Heath, 1653.   

THE RIGHT & TITLE OF The present King OF PORTUGAL Don John the fourth: With the most memorable Passages of his reign.  
FOr the more clear discovery of the Title whereby the present King of Portugal, holds that Crown, it will be necessary to know the fundamental constitutions of that Kingdom, as well as the pedigree of that King.  
In the year of our Redemption 1139. an Army of four hundred thousand Moors under the conduct of five Kings, threatening as a vast deluge, to overflow at once all the Country of Portugal were totally discomfited by a small handful of Christians, in the plains of Ourique, where immediately before the battle the people chose their General, Don Alfonso for their King: (for before they were under the protection of the King of Castille & Leon) who after the fight called an Assembly of the three Estates in the City of Lamego, where was solemnly enacted as followeth.  
In the name of the most holy Trinity Father, Son, and holy Ghost, Amen.  
I Alphonso sonn of Count Henry etc. by the grace of God lately advanced to the Royal Throne have called together the Bishops, Nobles and Deputies of Cities in the Church of Saint Mary Almacave in Lamego; where sitting upon my Royal Throne without any ensigns of Royalty my Deputy Lorenzo Venegas stood up an● spoke thus. You are assembled by the Authority of King Alfonso, to see the Pope's letters, and resolve to confirm him for your King, whereat all with one voice cried, We will that he be our King. The Deputy demanded, shall he only be King and not his sons after him? They answered he, so long as he lives, and his sons after his death, than said the Deputy give him the Royal ensigns: we give them, answered they, in the name of God: So the Archbishop of Braga, placed the Crown upon the King's head; who drawing his sword said; Blessed be God, that hath been my helper, with this sword have I delivered you and overcome our enemies, and now that you have made me your King, let us make laws, for the government of the Kingdom, they answered, so will we dread sovereign, we will make such laws as shall seem good to you, and we and all our children and posterity are wholly at your command, we will first make laws for the succession of the Crown as followeth.  
1 God save King Alfonso let him be master of the Kingdom: and after him (that there may be no trouble of choosing a King) let his son reign, after him his grand child, and so from father to son in secula seculorum.  
2 If during the father's life the eldest son die, the next brother shall be King, and so forward.  
3 If the King die without sons having a brother, he shall succeed, but not his son after him unless the Parliament will have it so.  
Then Lorenzo Venegas, the King's Deputy, desired the States, to ask the King, if the daughters should enter into the Succession, of the Kingdom: after some debate thereon it was resolved. Because the daughters are of the Royal stock as well as the Sons, they should succeed on this manner.  
4 If the King have only Daughters, the eldest shall be Queen, after her father, upon condition that she be married to a native of the Kingdom, and that he be a Nobleman, who shall not take upon him the name of King, until he hath a son born: nor wear a crown on his head, nor take the right 〈◊〉 of his wife.  
5 Lastly which most concerns the ensuing discourse it was thus enacted.  
Sat ist a Lex in sempiternum, quod prima filia Regis accipiat maritum de Portugal, ut non veniat Regnum ad extraneos & si casaverit cum principe extraneo, non sit Regina, quia nunquam volumus nostrum Regnum ire for de Portugalensibus, qui nos sua fortitudine Reges fecerunt sine adjutorio alieno per suam fortitudinem & cum sangine suo. That is,  
Let it be a law for ever, that the King's eldest daughter marry a native of Portugal, that so the Crown may never descend to strangers, and in case she should marry to a Prince that is a stranger, let her not be Queen for we will never have our Kingdom, go out of the race of the Portugals, who have made us Kings, by their own valour, without foreign assistance, by their own valour, and with the effusion of their own blood.  
This law was put in execution after the death of D. Fernando the 9 King of that race, whose daughter, Donna Beatrice, being married out of Portugal to the King of Castille: D. John, the first was excluded from succession, and a new election made; from which new election, (that we may hasten to our purpose) lineally descended, D. Emanuel, the fourteenth King of Portugal, who had six sons and two daughters in this following order.  

1 The Prince D. John.  
2 The Infanta Dona Beatrice, married to the Emperor Charles the fifth, by whom she had Philip the second.  
3 The Infanta Dona Beatrice, married to Emanuel Duke of Savoy, by whom she had Philip Duke of Savoy.  
4 The Infanta D. Lewis who left only, Don Antonio illegitimate.  
5 The Infante Don fernando died without issue.  
6 The Infante D. Alfonso Cardinal Archbishop of Lisbon, and Abbot of Alcobaza never married.  
7 The Infante D. Henry, Cardinal and Arch bishop of Braga.  
8 The Infante D. Edward, who left two daughters, the eldest was Mary, married out of the Kingdom to Alexander Farnese Duke of Parma, the younger was Catherine married in the Kingdom to John Duke of Braganza.   
After the death of King Emanuel succeeded his eldest son Don John, called King John the third: whose only son, that had issue called Prince John, dieing before his father, left D. Sebastian who succeeding his Grandfather was slain before he was married, in that Signal battle in Africa; famous for the deaths of three Kings anno. 1578. where were unfortunatly lost with their King, most of the Nobility, and Flower of Portugal, Upon the death of King Sebastian, the crown returned to the eldest survivor of his Granfathers' brothers which was D. Henry, the Cardinal, whose function; (for he was a priest) rendered him as uncapable of marrying as his age, (for he was 67. years old) rendered him unable for generation, so that during his reign which lasted not two years, the chief discourses, and debates not only of Portugal but of all Christendom was: who rightfully and who probably should succeed King Henry. There were some pretended right but wanted power, others had power, but wanted right, and there were some pretenders that had neither right nor power.  
First, The People claimed jure Regni, to have the right to elect their own King.  
Secondly, the Pope challenged jure Divino, to be the arbitrator, (if not donour) in all controversies for Crowns, and that Alfonso, the first King, to obtain the title of King, became Tributary to the sea of Rome.  
Thirdly, Don Antonio illegitimate sonn to the Infant D. Lewis, pretended that his mother was lawfully wedded (as well as bedded) with his father.  
Fourthly, Catherine de Medicis widow of Henry the 2. King of France as descended from the King of Portugal D. Alfonso, the 3. and for that all since that King have reigned unjustly.  
Fiftly, Philbert Duke of Savoy son to Beatrice, younger daughter to Emanuel, would not lose a Crown for want of laying claym thereto, knowing that of all the pretenders that were not natives he was looked on as the fittest to resist King Philip not only for his personal valour but also for his dominions, bordering on the Duchy of Milan which in case of need he might invade by the assistance of the French, his neighbours upon the other side.  
7 Reinuce the young Prince of Parma laid claim to this Crown in right of his Mother Mary, lately deceased; alleging that jure primogeniturae the male line was to be served before the female; so that until the line of his Grandfather the Infante D. Edward, were wholly extinct, neither Philip the 2. nor the Duke of Savoy could have any right  
Seventhly, Catherine Duchess of Braganza pleaded that in all successions there are to be considered these four qualities, in the persons pretending; viz, th● line, the degree the sex, and the Age, that the better line is first to take place, although others should have advantage in the other three qualities. That in succession of Crow●es the last possessor is to be succeeded jure hered latis which allow●s the benefit of representation, that she representing the Infante D. Edward, the better line did by her representation, precede Rainuce (for the law allows not a Grandchild that benefit,) and by her better line exclude King Philip who descended from a daughter, lastly by the fundamental Laws of the Kingdom, she was to be preferred before all other the pretenders, for that she was both born and married within the Kingdom.  
Eighthly, Philip the 2. after all resolved that so fair a Crown, lying so conveniently for him should not escape him; yet (because force is of harder digestion) first to make trial of the most gentle means to effect his proposed ends, to this purpose, he employs the best wits of all the universities in Christendom to prove his, and disprove all other claims.  
After much bickering, it was alleged in favour of King Philip, first against the Prince of Parma and the Duchess of Braganza, that successions of Crowns were to be decided by the Law of Nations not of the Empire, upon which only her jus representandi patrem was grounded, that the nearest male in degree to the last possessor ought to succeed, that the Infante D. Édw. being deceased before his brother Henry was King, could have no right in himself, therefore could derive none to his posterity; for nemo dat quod in se non habet: That it was very unreasonable that Catherine should be less prejudiced in herself for her sex, than King Philip should be in his Mother.  
Next, it was alleged against the Queen of France, that prescription of above 300 years (whereas Lawyers allow 100 years a sufficient Title for any Kingdom) lay most evidently against her.  
Against the people it was answered, That until the Royal Line of a Kingdom be quite extinct, there can be no right of election in them.  
But the main Argument whereby King Philip confuted these and all other pretenders, was his sword, wherewith like another Alexander, he cut that Gordian knot; wherefore not to lose time nor opportunity, whilst the University invented the most powerful Arguments, he made all preparations possible for a powerful Army to be ready, in the mean time wrought so effectually with Father Leon Henriques, a Jesuit, and Confessor to King Henry, and Friar Ferdinando Castillo a Dominican, that all intentions prejudicial to King Philip's designs were craftily diverted, as from declaring the Duchess of Braganza next heir, whereunto King Henry was most inclinable; also from marrying in hopes of issue, whereto he was once so far persuaded, as to endeavour a dispensation from Rome; but his hopes and intentions were soon after cut off by death: the news whereof arriving to King Philip, he marched away immediately with an Army of above twenty thousand old Soldiers towards Lisbon, where he found no other resistance but Don Antonio, one of the forementioned pretenders in the head of a popular tumult, rather than a regular Army, which being soon discomfited, and the suburbs of Lisbon sacked, to gratify the Soldiers, he easily made himself Master of the whole kingdom: But before this could be brought about, Pope Gregory the 13 had sent Cardinal Riario Legate into Spain, with order to dissuade the Catholic King from raising Arms, and so to pass into Portugal, there to arbitrate the right between all pretenders. Philip to avoid this, and yet to approve himself (as he always professed) a most obedient son of the Church, he gave secret order in all places where the Legate was to pass, that he should be entertained with all respect and magnificence possible, and thereby be so dexterously detained, that the kingdom might be possessed by him before the Legate could arrive at Gourt, which was acted accordingly, and the Legate well satisfied in his entertainment, though not in his negotiation.  
When the Nobility and people of Portugal saw themselves thus unawares yoked by the Castilians against whom above all other there was ever a certain antipathy of nature, they were exceedingly discontented, but seeing there was no hope to withstand so great a Potentate as Philip the second, reputed at that time not only the most prudent (or rather crafty subtle man) but the most puissant Monarch that later ages have produced, they all submitted to the King, who the better to win them, condescended to meet that submission, and be sworn in an Assembly of Estates, to these capitulations following,  

1. That his Majesty should observe all Laws, Liberties, Privileges and Customs granted to the people by former Kings of Portugal.  
2. That the Vice King, or Governor, shall always be the Son, Brother, Uncle, or Nephew of the King, or else a Native of Portugal.  
3. That all chief Offices of the Church or State shall be bestowed upon the Natives of Portugal, and not upon strangers. Like wise the Governments of all Towns and Places.  
That all Countries now belonging to Portugal, shall so continue to the commodity and benefit of that Nation.  
5. That the Portugal Nation shall be admitted to all Offices in the King's House, as well as the Castilians.  
6. That because the King cannot conveniently be always in Portugal, he shall send the Prince to be bred up amongst them.   
At the end of these Articles was adjoined a blessing to those Kings that should observe them, and a curse to those that should violate them; adding moreover, That in case (which God forbid) that his Majesty which now is, or his Successors, should not observe this agreement, or should procure a dispensation for this Oath, the three States of the Kingdom might freely deny subjection and obedience to the King, without being guilty either of perjury or treason. This clause, although it was not printed with the Capitulation made in the first Assembly of Estates, yet is rehearsed by divers Authors, amongst others by the Author della Legge Regia di Portogallo stampata in Madrid.  
After this accord, the Cardinal Albert, Archduke of Austria, son to the Empeour, and neph●● 〈◊〉 King Philip, was placed as Vice- 〈◊〉 of Portugal, yet durst not his Majesty leave the Kingdom so soon; for he perceived a general discontent to continue amongst them, insomuch that the Preachers would ordinarily in their Sermons vent speeches clearly tending to sedition, which made the King oft complain, that the Portugal Preachers had waged the hardest war with him; but yet that he looked upon them as cracked brained, adding sometmes with much mildness and patience, Pues dexaldoes por que usan a los privilegios que han los locos. Once Father Lewis Alvarez a Jesuit preaching before the King on St. Philip's day, (about the time that it was argued by some Lawyers, that the Duchess of Braganza in the succession of this Crown, did fully represent her Father) turned towards his Majesty saying (as it runs in the Gospel for that day) Philippe, qui videt me, videt patrem meum, making a discourse thereon in favour of the Duchess Title; whereat the King not seeming to be moved at all, keeping his wont gravity, said, If the Pope, who had Christened this Father another Saint Paul (for so he was esteemed) had known him better, he would have styled him rather a Spiritual mad man. Another time the same Father preaching before the Arch. duke, took his Text, Surge, tolle grabatum tuum, & ambula, turning to the Duke, said, Sir, the meaning hereof is, Arise up, take up your pack, and be gone home. Moreover in the Chapel of the Duke of Braganza, they were wont to sing the Lamentations of Jeremy (wherein the Prophet represents the oppression and scorn which the Israelites suffered while they were without a King of their own) applying all to themselves and the Castilians, as Aquam nostram pecunia bibimus, because of the Excise upon their Drink, and most other necessaries imposed by King Philip; and Servi dominati sunt in nos. And again, Cecidit Corona capitis nostri, always ending with Recordare Domine quid acciderit nobis: Intuere & respice opprobrium nostrum; Haereditas nostra versa est ad alienos.  
In the mean time some comforted themselves with expectations of a change by the return of D. Sebastian whom they would not yet believe to be dead; others believing that he was indeed killed in the battle of Africa, yet that he should be restored miraculously. Some gave great credit to old Prophecies, especially to that of an Hermit to King Alfonso the first, that he should overcome the Moors with their five Kings, and that in the sixteenth Generation his line should fail for a time, but that then God should have compassion on them. And to a letter of St. Bernard wrote to the same King Alfonso, the original whereof was by the last King of France given to the Ambassador of Portugal, 1641. the tenor of it was, that he rendered thanks for the lands bestowed upon him to build a Monastery, that in recompense thereof God bade him declare unto him, that there should not fail a native of Portugal to sit upon that Throne, unless for the greatness of their sins God would chastise them for a time: but that this time of chastisement should not last 60 years. Other Prophecies there were of one St Gil a Dominican, and Simon Gomez, both living and reputed for Saints. But whilst the people busied their heads with these expectations, King Philip proceeded sensim sine sensu to establish and confirm his right and power over the kingdom, and to break those shackles of Sovereignty wherewith he was fettered, whose footsteps his son King Philip the third followed exactly, though not with that craft and dissimulation as his Father had done; yet during their reigns it must be acknowledged that of many Articles some were observed; but as soon as Philip the fourth at present King of Spain, was warm in his Throne, it was resolved by the Count de Olivarez, Duke of Saint Lucar, that the best way to continue that Nation in subjection and peace, was to abolish all their privileges, which were but so many encouragements to oppose the King's designs; in pursuance whereof the Duchess of Mantua was made Governor of Portugal, although she was neither Daughter, Sister, Aunt or Niece to the King; the great Offices were bestowed upon Castilians, Italians, and other Foreigners; pensions out of the Bishoprics, and other Ecclesiastical promotions, were also given to strangers; the governments of Castles and Towns were put into the hands of Castilians: new Impositions were laid upon the people, the Revenues of the kingdom were employed for the use of the Court at Madrid, etc.  
And that this design of Olivarez might be no way hindered, the Nobility, and ablest men of the Kingdom were drawn forth some to Court, some to employments in War, and some to prisons, where they were destined to slaughter, as appeared by a Letter written from Madrid to Vasconzellos his Agent at Lisbon, where he saith, por los cuernos de los Fidalgos que ya stan aqui, bien puede V. M. rezar un pater noster por sus almas; mus por aquelloes, que no han querido venir, me recomendo. As for those rascally Gentlemen of Portugal which are here already, you may bid God have mercy on their souls; but commend me to those that would not come. But this hard dealing with the Nobility already called forth of forth of the kingdom, and the calling for more gave the first occasion to some of the Noblemen to assemble together where they resolve Not only to stay at home, but to have a King at home; whereupon the Duke of Braganza, Grandchild of the forementioned Katherine, by the name of Don John the Fourth now reigning, was advanced to the Crown, as is at large related in the life of Olivarez, and therefore needs not here to be repeated: Only hereunto shall be annexed the most memorable passages that have happened since he came to the Crown.  
The Kingdom of Portugal having been possessed by three Kings of Spain, successively from the year 1580. until the year 1640. not full sixty years, according to the prophecy of St Bernard; for before Philip the second was received and sworn their King, it was April, 1581. whereas the present king of Portugal, Don John the fourth was proclaimed on the first of December, 1640. being then at Villaviciosa his Countryhouse; upon the fifth of the same Month, without any pomp or guard, he entered into Lisbon, yet with so great security, as if he had been guarded with a most invincible Army; whereupon he said, That to be King and Sovereign of the Portugal Nation, there was no need off any other Guard or Arms then the hearts of the people. So soon as it was known in Lisbon that the King was arrived, the concourse of People was so great before the Palace, and the joy so extreme, that for a time they seemed to be transported out of themselves, some leaping, others dancing, some kissing the King's hand, others throwing themselves down at his Foot; all shouting and crying, Viva viva el Rey Dom Joam el quarto nosso Senhor; God save the king D. John the fourth, our Sovereign Lord. That Evening all the Cannons were discharged, and so many Fireworks and Lights, that the Night was turned into Day, whereat a Spanish Gentleman said, Es possible que se quita un Reyno a el Rey D Felipe con solas Luminarias y vivas sin mas exercito in poder. Gran senal y efeto sin duda del brazo de Dios todo poderoso. Is it possible that king Philip should be deprived of a whole kingdom with only Lights and Fireworks without a powerful Army. Certainly this is an evident token of the Almighty's power.  
Upon the fifteenth following was the King solemnly crowned, in the great place before his Palace, upon a Theatre, whereon was raised a great Scaffold, and upon that a lesser, whereon was placed three steps higher a Chair of State under a Canopy all covered over with cloth of Gold; about Midday came forth his Majesty in a Suit of Chesnut-coloured Velvet embroidered with Gold and Buttons of Diamonds; about his Neck a Collar of great value, whereunto hung the habit of the chief order of Knighthood, called, El Orden de Christo; He was girded with a gilt Sword; his Robe was cloth of Gold lined with White, wrought with Gold flowers; his Train was born up by the Lord Chamberlain D. John Roderiguez; before his Majesty was the Sword borne by D. Francis de melo Marquis of Ferreira high Constable of the kingdom; and before him the king's Banner displayed by Fernando Tells de Meneses as knight Martial, and before him the Marquis of Govea D. Manrique de Sylva Steward of the king's House, with all the Grandees, Nobility and Gentry; before all went Portugal king at Arms, with the Heralds, Pursuivants, etc.  
His Majesty being sat in his Chair with a Crystal Sceptre in his right Hand, whereon stood the high Constable, and behind the Chair the Lord Chamberlain: There was placed before him a Table covered with cloth of Gold, with a Cushion thereon, and upon the cushion a Cross of Gold with a Missal; then the Archbishops of Lisbon and Braga, with the Inquisitor-Generall, kneeling down upon a Cushion, made his Oath to the kingdom as followeth:  
WE swear and promise by the grace of God, to Rule and Govern you well and justly, and to administer unto you Justice as far as Humane frailty will permit; to maintain unto you your Customs, Privileges, and Liberties granted unto you by the Kings our Predecessors. So God help Us, and this his holy Gospel.  
After this taken by the King, the three Estates, Clergy, Nobility and Commons swore Allegiance to his Majesty in these words; One for every Estate said:  
I Swear by this holy Gospel of God touched corporally with my Hand, that I receive for our King and lawful Sovereign, the High and Mighty King Don John the Fourth our Sovereign, and do Homage unto him according to the use and custom of his Kingdom.  
This Ceremony being past, Francis de Lucena, Secretary of State, standing in the middle of the Scaffold, with a loud voice declared, That his Majesty accepted the Oath and Homage which they had made. Then the King at Arms having cried O yez thrice, Ferdinando Tells de Meneses, knight Marshal, with a loud voice said, Royal, Royal, Royal, for the high and mighty Lord King John the fourth our Sovereign; and the Heralds with all the people echoed, Royal, Royal, Royal: Then all the Drums, Trumpets and Fifes sounding, his Majesty came off the Theatre, and mounting on Horseback, rode under a most rich Cloth of State towards the great Church, with all his Grandees and Nobles before him bore headed on foot. By the way in a great open place were presented unto the King, together with an eloquent Harangue, the keys of the City; which being returned, his Majesty road forward with incredible acclamations and applause, the Ladies out of the Windows throwing down Flowers and sweet Waters upon their heads with a thousand benedictions, etc. In this pomp his Majesty was received at the Cathedral Church by the Archbishop in his Pontificalibus; whence (his devotions being ended) he returned to his Palace with the like solemn magnificence.  
The kingdom of Portugal being thus established, care was taken to give timely notice hereof to all places under their subjection in all parts of the world, so that not long after the King was with unexpressible joy proclaimed in the Island Madera, in Porto Santo, in Mazagan and Aer upon the coast of Africa, in the Island of St Michael, in the kingdom of Angola, in the Tercera Islands, (although the Governor there made some resistance at first) in Brasile, in all the East Indies, and as far as China.  
On the 8 of January following, with the like pompous solemnity the three Estates took an oath to the Prince in these words: We acknowledge and receive for our true and Natural Prince, the high and excellent Prince D. Theodosio, Son, Heir, and successor of our sovereign Lord the King, and as his true and natural subjects and vassals, we do him homage in the hands of the King; and after the death of our sovereign Lord the King, we will acknowledge and receive him for our true and natural King and Sovereign of those kingdoms of Portugal and Algarbe, and beyond sea in Africa, Lord of Guine, of the Conquests, Navigations, and Commerce in Ethiopia, Arabia, Persia, India, etc. 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.  
Next day the King being placed on his Royal Throne, there was an Assembly of the three estates in their rich Robes, where D. Emanuel de Acugna, Bishop of Elvas, made a most eloquent speech, the substance whereof was, 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 wars, and maintained themselves in peace; that for this 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 in Religion, no defence without union amongst Men, no Regular government without union of Counsels: 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 by the known Laws: That his Majesty did not esteem those Tributes lawful that were paid with tears, and therefore did from this present take off from his subjects all tribute that ever have been imposed by the kings of Castille; because his Majesty will not reign over our goods, nor over our heads, nor over our privileges, but over our hearts, hoping that you will find out a more sweet expedient to defend your Country against your potent enemy, who threateneth to make us all slaves, and to destroy and annihilate our Nation. Let us therefore considering his Majesty's goodness, and our own honour, manifest at once unto the whole world, that as never subjects had such a gracious king, so never king had such loyal subjects.  
Then standing up the most ancient officer of the Chamber of Lisbon, in the name of the three Estates (who all stood up likewise) returned humble thanks to his Majesty for his gracious bounty, professing withal, that they did not only offer up their goods, but consecreate their lives to his Majesty's service, that his Majesty might freely dispose of the one and the other to his service, according to his pleasure, etc.  
In pursuance whereof they voted, that two millions should be presently levied by the kingdom; but his Majesty not being willing that any money should be imposed upon the subject as a tax, all men strove who should advance most freely, so that in few days, there were brought in 4 millions of gold, not to pay soldiers (for all offered their service to pursue the war gratis at their own charges) but to maintain the splendour of the King and Kingdom.  
The next resolution of this Assembly was to dispatch Ambassadors to all States of Christendom to enter into confederations for the better establishment of the Kingdom, and reputation of the King.  
In the first place his Majesty considering how much it did import to correspond with Catalonia, that so they might jointly not only defend themselves, but also molest Castille, which being as it were between the two arms of Portugal and Catalonia, must needs be easily incommodated by them both at Sea and Land; thither was sent Ambassador Father Ignatius Mascarenas a Jesuit, with another Father of the same Order, to offer them all assistance and supplies for their maintenance and defence against the Catholic King, which Embassy did so incredibly rejoice and encourage the Catalonians, that the very next day they obtained a most signal victory by courageously defending themselves against the Spanish Army of 25000. men under the conduct of the Marquis de los Veles.  
The next was a most solemn Ambassage to the most Christian King Lewis 13. for which high employment were chosen two personages of great worth, D. Francisco de melo and D. Antonio Coello de Caravallio, the one for his exquisite judgement and experience in State affairs, and the other for his noble spirit and eminent knowledge in the Civil Law, most fit to undertake so important a charge. These two personages attended with a magnificent train landed at Rochel, and upon the 15 of March made a most solemn entrance into Paris, being met and conducted by 134. Coaches, besides much Nobility on Horseback unto the Palace appointed for Extraordinary Ambassadors, where they were entertained in a sumptuous manner at the King's charges, from thence were they carried by the Duke of Cheureuse and the Count of Brulon in the King's Coaches unto his Majesty then at St Germains to receive their first Audience, which was performed with extraordinary respect, for upon the Ambassadors entrance into the presence chamber his Majesty rose out of his Chair and came forward three steps to receive them, nor would the King suffer them to deliver their Embassy uncovered, or to kiss his hand at their departure, but instead thereof embraced them in his arms with a cheerful countenance, promising them all the assistance that lay in his power: From the King's presence they were conducted to a Dinner provided for them, and after that to the Lodgings of the Queen, who sitting in a chair without arms rose up, and coming forward two or three steps received them most courteously, not permitting them to speak until they were covered: Amongst other discourse, D. Francisco de melo told her Majesty, that he feared his Embassy would not be acceptable, for that his Master had deprived her brother of one of his Kingdoms, whereto her Majesty replied, that although she was sister to the King of Spain, yet she was wife to the King of France, and thereupon began to speak Spanish, which the Ambassador observing, demanded wherefore her Majesty had not vouchsafed them that favour sooner, it being a language better understood by them? the Queen answered, for fear they should be daunted to hear her speak Spanish; the Ambassador to improve the jest replied, Como a tam grande Senora, si, pero como a Castillana, no. It was true considering her greatness, but not her Country, whereat her Majesty smiling went on promising them all favour, and wishing many happy days to King John and the Prince his son: thus having delivered to her Majesty a Letter from the Queen of Portugal, they took leave to go visit the most Eminent Cardinal Richelieu, who being advertised of their coming, came forward to the third chamber to meet them, and there received them with expressions of great affection, after which he conducted them into his own Chamber, where all three being sat his Eminence (a personage for his most admirable abilities worthy to live many ages) discovered divers affairs of importance to the Ambassadors, and they o● the other side made his Eminence understand how highly it imported that the two Crowns of France and Portugal should be united by an indissoluble league and amity, considering that the primary and principal aim of the house of Austria (whose branches were spread over Europe) was not only to be the greatest, but the only Monarch of Christendom, for which end it never made scruple to usurp Kingdoms and States upon the weakest pretences imaginable, as have appeared in the Kingdoms of Naples, Sicily and Navarre, the Duchy of Milan, and several other States more lately in Germany, the seizing upon the Valtelline, that so (being Master of that passage) he may upon any opportunity lead an Army of high Germans into Italy: Moreover considering the vast power and interest this Family hath, not only in all the other States of Italy and Germany, and in the Low Countries, but also in almost all America; it must be confessed that they have a large foundation of their imaginary universal Monarchy, yet no one thing gave them so great hopes as the possession of Portugal: First because by the addition of that Kingdom, 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 Traffic, whereby the Austrian greatness (if not their Monarchy) was principally sustained, therefore that it much concerned all States to endeavour not only to put a stop to the growth of that monstrous tree, but to cut off some arms thereof that it may the less damnify and annoy the lesser trees that grow by it: that to do this none was more concerned or more able than the Kingdom of France united with the Kingdom of Portugal, which having been reputed the right arm (as Catalonia was the left) of that huge Austrian Colossus and now separated from it and joined with France, will be able to do as great service against it, as ever it hath been forced to do for it, not only by assaulting the Spaniard at home in his own house but by intercepting the Plate-Fleet which coming from the West Indies, must necessarily pass by the gates of their Enemies (the Tereera Islands) and so run a hazard to be lost, or else be at the charges of an extraordinary Convoy. Having thus discoursed with his Eminence of those and other weighty affairs, he was pleased to offer not only all the assistance of the most Christian King, but that he would disburse of his own for the Service of Portugal, that he would presently send thither a Fleet of twenty Sail with his Nephew's Admiral and Ambassador extraordinary: whereupon the Ambassadors taking leave, they were accompanied by his Eminence as far as the stairs, which the Ambassadors endeavouring to hinder, the Cardinal told them that the Ambassadors of Portugal were to be treated with no less respect than those of the Emperor or Pope. Some few days after in the house of the Grand Chancellor, there was appointed a Junta of the Ambassadors with his Majesty's Commissioners, together with the Secretary Chavigny, where was soon concluded a peace and league between the Crown of France and Portugal, and the Ambassadors with much courtesy and satisfaction dismissed.  
It very much concerned the kingdom of Portugal to maintain amity and peace with the Crown of England, not only for the Navigation and Commerce of both States, but also for other particular ends in the present conjuncture of affairs, principally to break the good correspondency that was at present maintained between the Crowns of Spain and England: For this purpose in March 1641. were dispatched for England Don Antonio de Almada, and Dr Francisco de Andrada Leiton, personages of great abilities, who arriving safe (in spite of the Dunkirk that chased them) in England, were received with demonstrations of great courtesy (notwithstanding the earnest labouring of the Spanish Resident to the contrary.) It is true, that his Majesty of England was so tender of his honour and conscience, that he answered Dr Antonio de Sosa, Secretary to the Ambassadors sent before to make way, that he would be first satisfied by what right and title his Master was made King of Portugal, before he would accept of the Ambassage. Whereupon the Secretary (being one of the most exquisite wits of this age) in the space of twenty four hours, drew up and presented to his Majesty a writing, which declared at large what here in substance ensueth.  
Upon the death of King Henry the Cardinal without issue, many pretended (together with the Infanta Donna Catherine, Duchess of Braganza, and Grandmother to this present King) to the Crown of Portugal, but all their pretences wanting foundation, soon fell, except that of Philip the second, King of Spain, who propped 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 son of a daughter named Isabel, 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 replied, 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 Philip's 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, alleging, That the succession by the death of the last King, was derived jure haereditario, & non sanguinis, because the succession of Kingdoms was to be regulated by that ancient way whereby all things descended by inheritance. The other way of succession being not known until later Ages, nor ever practised either in Spain or Portugal in such cases.  
Briefly, in behalf of Catherine it was urged (which by the Castilians can never be denied or answered) that she was no stranger, but a Native of the kingdom, to whom alone (according to the Laws of Lamego) the Crown of Portugal can appertain.  
This is the simple Title of the House of Braganza, against which the Castilians have forged a thousand Titles for the House of Austria, as being the tenth or twentieth Grandchild of such a King, or such a Prince, etc. which if sufficient Title against the next allies, certainly the King of Castille is not only King of Portugal, but all Europe (for there is scarce a Prince from whom he is not descended) and happily this is the ground whereon he builds his hopes to be universal Monarch, unless perchance he may esteem himself so by Will from Adam, as some have imagined.  
When the King had received and deliberated upon the writing, he gave order that they should be conducted to London with all solemnity convenient, & disposed of in a Palace ready prepared for them; after which with great ceremony they received audience of his Majesty in a most stately fair Hall, where his Majesty was placed on a Throne raised two steps, on each side Latices, within which stood his Nobles; at the Ambassadors entrance, as they made their reverence, the King uncovered himself and would not be covered until the Ambassadors were so too: To the Proposals made by Don Antonio de Almlda, the King answered he should be very glad to find out a way to be friend to the King of Portugal, and to renew the ancient amity of the two Crowns without 〈◊〉 with Spain.  
Some days following the Ambassadors went to visit the Queen, who being placed under a cloth of State (upon the entrance of the Ambassadors) rose up and came forward down as far as the Carpet extended, making a low reverence at all three times, that the Ambassadors bowed, and being come nearer, her Majesty made them be covered; then uncovering themselves again, they spoke with their hats in their hands; which ended, the Queen told them, that she much desired to keep straight amity with her Majesty the Queen of Portugal, etc.  
Don Alon so de Cardenas, Ambassador Ordinary in the Court of England for the King of Spain, laboured still by friends, by moneys, by promises even to to the restitution of the Palatinate, so that the peace might not be made with Portugal, but in vain; for upon the 13 of June 1641 the peace was concluded.  
The Commerce and correspondence that have always been between the kingdom of Portugal and Denmark, induced King John to send Ambassadors thither; but the greater correspondence with the House of Austria, and some dependence upon the Emperor, hindered the reception of that Ambassage,; yet the King, and all the principal of the kingdom, desiring not to break with Portugal, gave all other satisfaction possible by extraordinary courtesies and respect to the Ambassadors, who from thence went into Swethland, where they were received with much solemnity and rejoicing by the whole kingdom. Their reception at the young Queen's Court at Stockholm, was very magnificent, where a league was soon concluded, and the Ambassadors dismissed) as the manner is there) with chains of Gold, and her Majesty's portrait in a Medal of Gold. With the like readiness did the States of the Low-Countries receive the Ambassage brought thither by that worthy personage, Tristano de Mendoza Hurtada, and a Truce of ten years made with Portugal; not a peace because the Hollander having conquered many places in Brasil, Angola, etc. whilst those countries were under the King of Spain, that neither side might be prejudiced, the King of Portugal would not approve of the conquests, because they were places depending on the Crown of Portugal; nor could the States promise restitution, because they now belonged to their West India Company, who since have often violated the Articles of this Truce, to the great dishonour of the States, to whom (so long as they neglect to punish the transgressors of their own Capitulations) no State will treat or trust for the future, seeing them so shamefully break their word without the least occasion given  
It was long debated in the Court of Portugal, whether an Ambassage should be sent to his Holiness at Rome, or else a more opportune conjuncture of time expected. Some were of opinion that an Ambassage was to be sent thither without further delay, because thereby they clearly testifying their duty and respect to his Holiness, as he was Head of the Catholic Church, Portugal should gain his good favour, and an acknowledgement that his Majesty Don John was rightful King of Portugal, which would be of very much importance to the affairs of the Kingdom.  
But these considerations seemed to others rather things desirable then feasable. First, because the King of Spain was at present powerful at Rome to oppose the reception of their Ambassador. Secondly, because the Pope, although he was never in heart a Spaniard, yet he would never yield to show himself an enemy to the Catholic King. Moreover, the Spaniard cunningly fomenting the opinion which all the world had entertained, That his Holiness did in all things incline to the French interest, would from such a reception draw as much as they could ever ask or desire; for this cause the Pope (that he might not seem their enemy) always granted them what ever they demanded: Therefore it was alleged, That it would be better first to sound the mind and inclinations of his Holiness, then to run the hazard of some disgrace and affront to his Majesty and the whole Nation. And in case the Pope should resolve not to receive the Ambassage, to whom could they appeal for the injury done to the Crown? We see many Popes so bewitched with the interest of their own families, as to give occasion to the world to believe, that their aim is not what is absolutely the best, but what is best for themselves. An example hereof we have in Pope Gregory the thirteenth, so affectionate to the kingdom of Portugal at first, that he employed the utmost of his power to hinder King Philip the second from usurping it; yet shortly after, for the interest of his own family, approved all that was done by the same King. Who hath more to give, or at least to promise, than the Catholic King? Therefore in any business of competition, he must necessarily have the advantage against all others.  
Nevertheless the French promising their assistance at Rome, and their intercession with his holiness, it was at length resolved by the major part, that an Ambassage should be speedily sent to Rome.  
His Majesty hereupon made choice of D. Michael de Portogallo, son to Count Vimioso of the blood Royal, Bishop of Lamego, and Pantableone Rodriguez Bishop of Elvas, personages of abilities suitable to so high an employment. Upon the news of their landing in Italy, the Spaniards in Rome on the one side, provided to oppose their entrance, at least hinder their reception; the French, Portugals and Catalonians on the other side, resolved to venture their lives in the Cause: His Holiness fearing a petty war should be kindled in his own bosom, and the dishonour that would accrue to him in case that the person of an Ambassador should be violated as it were in his own house, gave order to all his Officers & Guards to prevent all intended violences. Whereupon the Spaniard openly protested, that if his Holiness received the Portugal Ambassador, they with their Ambassadors, would immediately leave Rome. Notwithstanding all oppositions, in Novem. 1641, the two Portugal Ambassadors being met by divers Cardinals, Princes and Cavaliers well armed, entered into Rome, and were conducted to the palace of the French Ambassador, who with much courtesy received them at his gate, always giving them the precedence.  
Hereupon the Spanish Ambassadors, the Marquis de los Velos, & D. John Chiumazzero, scattered abroad their Manifestos, wherein they laboured to prove that his Holiness ought not to receive the Ambassadors of the Duke of Braganza (as they styled him) First, because he was a tyrant and usurper of a kingdom that had been in the quiet possession of the Catholic kings the space of sixty years: Secondly, because the Duke was a Rebel, and a perjured person, having before sworn allegiance to the Catholic King: Thirdly, that the reception of these Ambassadors would be very much prejudicial to the Catholic King, by giving encouragement to others to attempt the like Rebellions, etc.  
The Ambassadors in the mean time lost no time in endeavouring by themselves, and by the French Ambassador (who had express order for the same from his master) to incline his Holiness to admit their Ambassage; but his Holiness, who had ever showed himself very timorous to give any disgust to the Spaniard, lest they should take occasion to do his Holiness a displeasure, or revenge themselves hereafter upon his Nephews, resolved to refuse the Ambassage, pretending certain violations of the Church Rites in Portugal, and that he was much unsatisfied in their King, for his detaining in prison the Archbishop of Braga, and other Ecclesiastical persons, although his Majesty had most just cause so to do, as shall hereafter appear. So soon as the Spaniards understood this resolution of his Holiness, (whilst the Portugals were labouring to prove their cause by Declarations, Allegations, and Arguments, as well Political as Legal) they resolved to make a quick dispatch of the business, and for that purpose had drawn together above two hundred Banditi with intent o seize upon the Bishop of Lamego, and carry him away to Naples, as they had done the Prince of Sans, who was there put to death: but the Marquis de lo● Veles was understood by some of his servants, that it would be better taken to give the Portugal Ambassadors some high affront upon some encounter in the streets which being communicated to the rest of the Nation, (whereof there are alway many in Rome) some to obtain dispensations of marriage, others to get spiritual livings) they flocked to the Spanish Ambassadors Palace well provided of Army and (that they might not be looked on a Soldiers) went under the name of Foo● men to the Marquis, whereof the Po●● taking special notice, made it known the Marquis that these proceedings in peaceable City, were much distasted; an at the same time sent a Messenger to assure the Bishop of Lamego that he should not fear any thing, for that upon the word of his Holiness, he should walk the streets untouched: yet upon the 20 of August 1642, the Bishop going to visit the French Ambassador, was followed by a Spy of the Marquis to see whither he went; which being observed by some of the Bishop's retinue, they sent a counter-spy to see what they did at the Marquis House; and finding there great preparation of Coaches and Men, news thereof was brought to the French Ambassador, whereupon the French, Portugals, and Catalonians were soon assembled with their Pistols and Firelocks to convoy home the Bishop, who by the way after Sun set was met by the Marquis guarded with ●bove sixty Footmen and eight Coaches, full of Captains and Officers called hither from Naples, besides divers others, and subjects of that Crown. So soon as they spied the Bishop's Coach, the Spaniards ●ried aloud, Si fermassero all▪ Ambasciatore ●i Spagna, that they should stop for the Ambassador of Spain, whereto the Portugals answered, i si fermassero loro, that they should stop: whereupon all leapt out of their Coaches with their naked swords, and making a stand, discharged one Gun, which was followed by both sides with a most gallant volley of shot: There were slain on the Portugal part, a Knight of Malta, and one Lackey that belonged to the French Ambassador, together with one Italian and a Portugal Page, besides divers wounded. On the Spanish part there were eight slain in the place, and about 20 wounded, the Marquess leaving his Coach and Horses dead, crept forth not by the Boot, but behind the Coach, between the two wheels, and fled into the next shop without his hat, without any colour in his face, or spirit in his body, and from thence was carried to the Palace of the Spanish Cardinal Albornoz, his Coach standing upon the place till the next day. The Bishop of Lamego went back to the house of the French Ambassador, and thence to his own House. His Holiness much disquieted at these insolences, commanded a guard of Soldiers to be presently put upon the house both of the Marquis and the Bishop, who not long after was by the King of Portugal called home, after he had again pressed and urged the Pope (by a large memorial of the reasons wherefore he ought to be received) and had been again refused.  
About this time was with much artifice contrived and most shamefully effected the imprisonment of that most gallant Prince, the Infante Edward, called by the Portugals Don Duarte brother to the King now reigning, who for divers years (before his brother had any thoughts of a Crown) had served the Emperor in his Wars with eminent gallantry, and as eminent success. Upon the news of the revolt of Portugal, this Prince was in the Emperor's service, being resolved there to continue until he was betrayed by Don Francisco de melo a Portugal then Ambassador in the Emperor's Court for the Catholic King, who notwithstanding all his obligations to the house of Braganza, yet with intent to build his fortunes upon their ruin, most earnestly solicits the Emperor to seize upon his person and deliver him up to the King of Spain, alleging how much it concerned the Interests of the Catholic King, that the person of Don Duarte should be secured, and how much it behoved his Imperial Majesty in this particular, to show his affection to the Catholic King his brother, and to the whole house of Austria, showing that this Prince was the main prop of the house of Braganza, that God had left this only remedy in the hands of the house of Austria whereby Portugal may be reduced to obedience, that it would be a great error not to make use of this opportunity, that if he should escape out of their hands, he might by his great insight in Warlike affairs assist his brother, and thereby much infest the Catholic King.  
The Emperor having heard this discourse of melo, was at first so far from being persuaded, that he answered him, he abhorred the breach of public Faith, and the violation of Hospitality, that this would be against the Liberties of the Empire, and against his own honour to imprison a Prince for no fault; but on the contrary, that had deserved so well of the Empire, and to whom his Majesty confessed himself very much obliged.  
The Archduke Leopold, brother to the Emperor, did so far detest the motion, that he said he washed his hands of so foul and shameful an act, yet melo not at all discouraged pursues his design, corrupting with sums of money the Count of Tratmansdorff, and some other pensioners to the Crown of Spain; but they at length ashamed of the employment, melo resolves upon a more subtle invention, which was to persuade the Emperor to hearken to one Father Diego de Quiroga, who of a Soldier turned Monk, and was now Confessor to the Empress; this Father being wont to give his opinion of such actions as these according to the rules of Interest of State, would persuade the Emperor not only that with good conscience he might secure the person of Don Duarte, but that for divirs reasons of State he ought to do it: His Imperial Majesty at first very unsatisfied in the business, was resolved not to do it, but by the importunity of melo and the ghostly persuasions of Quiroga, he was at length induced to alter his resolution, and to give order to D. Lewes Gonzaga that he should go to Leipen the Prince's quarters, and to summon him to Ratisbon: in the mean time to prevent the ill impression that this would cause in the minds of all men of honour and honesty; it was reported abroad that D. Duarte was fled for some misdemeanour, and thereupon proposal was made of sixteen thousand crowns to any man that could bring him alive or dead; of which the Prince being ignorant escaped very narrowly the hands of some of those people that went searching for him in hopes of the proposed reward; when he was come to Ratisbon he was cast into a vile prison appointed only for persons of mean quality, and all his Servants imprisoned, D. de Francisco de melo not content herewith, now solicits the Emperor afresh that he may be delivered into the Spaniards hands, and sent prisoner to Milan, whereto his Majesty would not hearken, but on the contrary sent a message to D. Duarte, promising upon his word not to deliver him into the hands of the Spaniard, but to procure speedily his liberty. But his ill usage increasing, D. Duarte made all the means possible to get audience of the Emperor, which would never be granted, nor was it any wonder, for there is no face mere ugly or more terrible to the offender tehn the face offended; hereupon the Infante made his protestation, calling God and man to witness the wrong and injury done unto him by the Emperor, to whom he was neither subject by any obligation or birth, that when his brother was made King of Portugal he was in the Emperor's service, wholly ignorant of any design of his brothers, that if the King of Spain was offended, he might revenge himself upon the person offending that that business no way concerned the Emperor: All which particulars were acknowledged by his Imperial Majesty, by a messenger sent to Don Duarte in prison, assuring him again that he should not be delivered into the hands of his enemies, yet that his liberty could not be granted for some reasons of State, whereupon D. Francisco de Sosa Coutigno Ambassador extraordinary from Portugal to Swethland in the name of the King his Master, represented at large to the Diet at Ratisbon the whole proceeding, requiring justice and libirty for the Infante; But nothing can prevail against Interest, the effects of all Manifesto's, Petitions and Intercessions were that the Infante was removed from place to place, and sent farther off where he had still harder usage, only the Emperor seemed yet immutable in his resolution not to deliver him into the hands of the Spaniard until the most powerful means in this world to conquer all difficulties was used, which is money; for upon promise of forty thousand crowns the Emperor (contrary to the immunities of the Empire, to the rules of hospitality, to the privilege of free Princes, to the Law of Nations, and contrary to his word and promise so often reiterated) yielded that the most innocent Prince should be sent whether the Catholic King should think meet: so he was hurried away towards the State of Milan to remain prisoner in that Castle; by the way as he entered into the Spanish Territories he was received by the Count de Siruela the Governor of that state, wherethe Commissary of the Emperor took his leave to return, to whom D. Duarte said openly, Tell thy Master that I am more sorry that I have served so unworthy a Prince, then to see myself a prisoner sold into the hands of my enemies, but that the just Judge of the World will one day suffer the like dealing towards his children, who are no more privildged for being of the house of Austria, than myself that am of the blood royal of Portugal, and that posterity will judge of him and of me.  
The Emperor in his instructions to those that convoyed the Infante, gave express order that in case their prisoner made any attempt to escape, they should kill him upon the place. Being arrived at Milan, he was clapped up in the prison where all the Rogues and Banditi are to be kept, with a guard in the same chamber so rude that he could hardly take any sleep.  
Any man of honour would have been pierced to the very soul with this harsh treaty, how much more a Prince of so high blood, who knew himself descended from so many glorious Kings, and allied to the greatest Princes of Europe, for which cause the Kings ever treated the house of Braganza much different from the Grandees of Spain, giving them the respect due to sovereign Princes, in so much that Philip the second who desired to a base that Family, always received the Duke of Braganza under the same cloth of State within the Royal Curtain in all public Assemblies, allowing him always a chair with a cushion, and as oft as he went to visit his Majesty, he would go to receive the Duke as far as the middle of the chamber: Besides, the Princes of this Family had always a guard of their own to wait upon them even in the King's Court.  
This than was the reward of that unfortunate prince, for having left his Country, Kindred, Friends, Interest, for having served the Emperor eight years at his own proper charges, for having ventured his life upon all occasions with the foremost, expecting no other pay then thanks, and no other recompense then honour.  
Yet there wanted not some to defend the Emperor in this action, alleging that it was no new thing, for that Charles Duke of Burgundy had in the same manner delivered up the Count de St. Paul to the King of France, who put him to death; whereunto it was answered, That all the misfortune of that Prince is by Philip de Comines, and others, attributed to that foul fact, Ex isto tempore, saith one, nihil Carolo prosper successit, sed calamitati accessit calamitas, donec victus ab Helvetiis ad Nanecium miserrime trucidatus est.  
When D. John the present King of Portugal, had been fully informed how his brother was treated, he was resolved to revenge himself by Arms; but the Castilians beginning to make incursions upon all the borders of Porougal, diverting his thoughts, made him look nearer home to put the kingdom into a posture of Defence, to fortify his chief Towns, and to train up all the people to the use of Arms.  
The Castilians in the inroads that they made into Portugal▪ laid all waste before them, spared neither sex nor age upon the taking of any place, which so enraged the Portugals, that to revenge themselves, they did the like in an incursion into Galitia.  
During these extremities of Barbarism upon the confines of the kingdom, there was wonderful tranquillity and unanimity at home; only some few thought themselves so far obliged to the Catholic King, as to re-establish him in his Throne, amongst whom D. Sebastian de Matos Archbishop of Braga, a creature of the Count de Olivarez was the principal, who at the beginning of the revolt opposed himself so much, that divers Gentlemen were once resolved to send him after Vazconzellos. This Prelate having imparted his design to D. Lewis de Meneses Marques de Villa Real, an ambitious man, and to his son the Duke de Camigna, both discontented because they thought themselves not preferred according to their merits, persuaded them that it was a most unworthy thing to suffer themselves to be subject to a fellow-subject, but rather return to the obedience and loyalty of their ancient Sovereign, who is able to bestow upon a deserving man more in one day, than the Duke of Braganza in an hundred years, etc. Insomuch that they were soon gained. Next, the Archbishop draws in D. Augustine Manuele, a man of noble blood, excellent parts, necessitous, and never yet employed in any business; all notable motives to make a man embrace desperate designs. After him was assaulted Pietro de Baeza, an upstart Christian (as they call those Christians whose ancestors were once Jews: this Gentleman famous for his vast riches and his great intimacy with that eminent Favourite, the Count Olivarez, was wont to say, That Olivarez favour would one day advance him either to high honour or else to a high gallows; which proved precisely true, as will appear anon.  
These, with some few other Conspirators, oft assembled themselves privately to consider how their designs might be speedily put in execution; for which purpose some were of opinion, that many more were to be drawn into the plot: But than it was feared on the one side, that thereby the design might be discovered; on the other side that there was a necessity thereof, for that without communicating to others, the business rested only in the Idea. Others advised that the assistance of the King of Spain was to be got in readiness; but that then the King of Portugal would make as great preparations, and so render that way difficult; yet some replied, that thereby the Spaniard by way of intelligence might be the more easily let in, but that seemed as difficult, because the whole Militia was in the hands of persons most trusty to the King. Another time they had thoughts of taking the King out of the way by some sudden violent death, which by some more moderate was opposed, and that rather some way was to be invented to cause his Majesty to renounce his title to the Crown, and to retire himself out of the danger represented unto him. In this wavering condition most of them inclined to a mediocrity, although the same in all eminent attempts is the very stepmother of good success. Moderate resolutions are the most of all pernitions where a design is to begin with execution: Yet some more valorous and less wary than the rest, were of opinion that they should presently set upon the the work, and leave the success to the disposition of Fortune, insomuch that of many Irons that were in the fire, none was yet hot.  
Amongst the conspirators, divers of them (notwithstanding his Majesty's express prohibition) kept secret correspondence with the Court at Madrid by the means of divers persons much suspected. The King of Portugal (who had always an eye upon the Archbishop of Braga, and the Marquis de Villa Real, knowing their disaffection from the beginning) at length intercepts some of their Letters, wherein was discovered the names of the conspirators, and the whole treaty; wherefore his Majesty desiring to secure all their persons at once, without any noise, gave order that by sound of Trumpet and Drum (as the custom is) it should be proclaimed, That his Majesty intended to go abroad forth of the City; whereupon all the Nobility (out of their great affection to his Majesty) were soon assembled to wait upon him. When the King saw them all ready, he commanded first to call a Council of State, where some of the conspirators assisted; being there sat, he caused them all to be arrested one by one without the least disturbance, which certainly could otherwise have been hardly prevented; for if the conspiracy had been known before the persons were in custody, there would not have been so much danger of their escape, as to have been immediately (without expecting the course of justice torn in pieces by the people. Besides, the wisdom of his Majesty would, that by the usual forms of Justice their crime might be as manifest to the world as their punishment.  
So so on as these were safe in prison, his Majesty proclaimed a pardon to all complices of this conspiracy that should come in within four days and confess their fault, but the diligence of the King had been so exquisite, that there was not one man left to take the benefit of that grace.  
Not many days after, they were all solemnly arraigned, found guilty of high Treason, condemned and executed in manner following.  
Upon the last of August 1641. the Marquis de Villa real, the Duke de Camigna his son, the Count de Armamac and D. Augustin Manuele were led along a Gallery made of purpose to the Scaffold, whereupon were built two stories one above another, upon the uppermost there were placed two chairs, upon the second story one chair, and upon the Scaffold itself another.  
First was led forth the Marquis in a long black bays cloak, and his servants in mourning, who after he had prayed for a good space upon his knees, rose up, and having made a long speech, demanded if there were no hopes of pardon; upon which all the people cried out, let him die, let him die for a Traitor, than the Executioner according to the manner, with a loud voice proclaimed, This is the Justice that the King our Sovereign Lord commands to be executed upon the person of Don Lewes de Meneses sometime Marquis of Villa Real, that his throat be cut as a Traitor to his Majesty, Nobility, and people of this Kingdom, that for his crime his goods be confiscated, and his memory banished out of the world. Whereat all the people cried Justice; which the Marquis hearing, with much gravity demanded pardon of all the spectators, desiring them to assist him with their prayers to God for a pardon of this and all his other sins, then turning to a father Jesuit his Confessor, prayed him that in his behalf he would present himself at his Majesty's feet, and beseech him out of his goodness that he would vouchsafe to forgive him this heinous offence committed against him and the whole Kingdom: after which, sitting down in the chair, his arms and legs were tied to the arms and legs of the chair, then leaning his head over the back of the chair, the Executioner with a knife cut his throat, after covering him with a black silk.  
In the same manner upon the same Scaffold appeared his son the Duke of Camigna, attended with all his servants in mourning: passing by his father's corpse, he kneeled down and several times kissed his feet, begging of the people the suffrage of one Pater noster for his father's soul; then sitting down in the other chair after the proclamation of the Executioner, received the same punishment. The Judges would have had both their necks to be cut behind, but his Majesty would not give way thereunto, being a punishment too ignominious in Portugal for persons of their quality.  
After these appeared the Count of Armamac attended with one only servant, who in the chair placed in the lower story received the same punishment: as also D. Augustin Manuele upon the scaffold below.  
The same day Pietro de Baeza, and one Melchior Correa de Franca being drawn at an horse tail to the place of execution, were hanged upon a gallows extraordinary high.  
Upon a lower gallows in the same place were hanged Diego de Brito Nabo, and Antonio Valente: the quarters of these four last mentioned were hung up at the gates of the City, and their heads set up near the frontiers of the Kingdom.  
In September following, for the same crime, were likewise executed, Antonio Cogamigno, and Antonio Correa, the later of which, all the time of his imprisonment was an example of penitence, feeding only upon bread and water, and whipping himself every day, with continual prayers to God for pardon of that and his other sins.  
The Archbishop of Braga, the Bishop of Martiria, and the Bishop of Malacca, and Friar Emanuel de Macedo (although they were complices in the same conspiracy, yet because they were Ecclesiastical persons) were not put to death as they deserved, but reserved in prison until the Pope's pleasure were known concerning them.  
The Archbishop during his imprisonment, did oft acknowledge his offence by Letters to his Majesty, desiring that himself might suffer, so that the others might be spared, in regard that what they had done was rather in obedience to him, then ill will to his Majesty. Upon his deathbed in prison (which happened about three years after the fact committed) he gave order that so soon as he was dead, his last Will and Testament should be carried to the King, wherein he besought his Majesty that he would vouchsafe of his goodness to pardon him the Treason committed by him against his Majesty and his native Country, and that he would let his body be buried without the Church of any parish of Lisbon, without any inscription or tomb▪ stone, that so there might remain no memory of a man that had been a Traitor to his King and to his Country. A good example of Christian humility, and of admonition to others not to meddle with the like affairs; for attempts of this nature are like hot irons, which instead of heating, scorch the hands of those that handle them. This so exemplary punishment and rigorous justice inflicted upon the forenamed delinquents, did not only establish the Kingdom, and secure the Family and Person of the King, but also struck a terror into all the King's Enemies (if there were any left) and excited the King's friends to love him and watch over him the more diligently.  
The mutual incursions upon the frontiers between the castilians and Portugals still continued with great animosity and violence.  
About this time (although there was a truce concluded, between Portugal and Holland as afore expressed, and a great Navy sent from Holland to assist the Portugal against the Spaniard) yet there passed high acts of hostility between the two Nations in Africa and America beyond the Line; for the Hollanders seeing the disunion of Portugal from Castille, made all possible haste to finish 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 end during all quiet and peaceable commerce between the two Nations in the Kingdom of Angola, the Hollander surprised the Portugals that were Governors of the place, killing divers and robbing all of the great wealth there found, of which perfidiousness, and of the barbarous usage towards the prisoners there taken, complaint was made to the States at the Hague, but without any satisfaction.  
In the mean time the Catholic King was very solicitous for the recovery of Portugal; for the effecting whereof, he did not consult only with his greatest Statists at home, but also with those abroad, from one of whom he received this ensuing Letter  
By the Letter which your Majesty was pleased to write unto me on the 6 of March past, I am commanded to deliver my advice touching the best expedient for the recovery of Portugal. Sir, the Clemency used by King Philip the second, your Majesty's Grandfather towards the Kingdom of Portugal, was a fatal presage of the present calamities, and future destruct on not only of Spain, but the whole Spanish Monarchy, because that Kingdom was only in name, but never really Conquered, remaining rich and abundant with the same, if not greater privileges than before. The Grandees and Nobles at home, the people not at all crushed, and (which is more than all) the Government in the hands of natives, and all his Majesties other Subjects excluded from all places of power, honour or profit. Sir, the holy Scripture which is the mirror and rule of our actions, teacheth that when Salmanasar conquered the Kingdon of Israel, he did carry away not only the Royal Family, but transported all the Nobility and People into divers Provinces of his own kingdoms, and into the new Conquests sent new inhabitants; yet the Israelites were never such inveterate enemies to the Assyrians, as the Portugals with Devilish madness have showed themselves against the interest and conveniences of this Monarch.  
Moreover, in the same Scripture it is read, That Nebuchadonosor having conquered Jerusalem, transplanted all that he found in that kingdom, leaving only a few miserable inconsiderable people to remain there.  
So Athalia Queen of Judah, saw no other way to preserve a kingdom newly conquered, but by extinguishing all the generation upon whom the Jews could cast their eyes in hopes of revolt.  
And Jehu King elected by God, extinguished all the family of Ahab, together with 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 Sovereigns.  
It was, Sir, very fatal to stand expecting and hoping for better times and opportunities for the securing of Portugal.  
In the year 1638. 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 judgements, but Fate would have it that (for fear of new troubles) by delays way should be made for a Rebellion, than which there could not have been a greater, although that form of Government which was expedient for the Spanish Monarchy, and was always held necessary for preserving that Crown, had been put in execution with the greatest violence imaginable.  
But when a Jewel is gone, the main inquiry should be by what means it may be found again, not how it came to be lost.  
The first means then of recovering that Crown, may be (what your Majesty's Grandfather 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 and demanding; and indeed experience teacheth, that that Nation is so addicted to their own interest, that more may be effected this way then 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 force 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 Indies, etc. will remain in their hands; for thither will they all fly, and from thence they will be always ready to assist our enemies: wherefore it would be very expedient for your Majesty's service, that a Truce were first made with the Hollanders upon condition that they make war upon the Portugal in the Indies, and have what ever 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 the 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 unto them. At the same time the Hollanders and Flemings may scour the Coasts of Portugal, and the English be invited to a more frequent navigation into the East Indies and China, whereby the Portugal Trade there may easily be ruined.  
The third way is, That the Pope be persuaded to thunder his Excommunications against the House of Braganza, and against the whole Kingdom as perjured, and perturbators of the public peace, animating all Christian Princes to assist in the regaining that kingdom, upon pretence of advancing the Catholic Faith.  
Moreover, diffidencies and jealousies between the Duke of Braganza and the people, may easily be fomented by the 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 dissensions will open a way for your Majesty to recover your right: Desperate evils must have Desperate remedies, the kingdom of Portugal is the canker of the Spanish Monarchy: therefore,  Ense recidendum est ne pars syncera trahatur. 
Let not your Majesty defer the right remedy: the greatest rigour is here the greatest charity, and to have no charity is to have much prudency: to bury this Hydra in its own ashes, will be triumph enough: to live without this arm is better than to have it employed against its own head: Let your Majesty never believeor hope better of that nation, than you have seen these 60 years past; never think to keep that Country if not planted with other people, the detestation against your Majesty's government is hereditary.  
The interest of the King, Sir, it very ample, and hath no bounds against Rebels, every action is just and honourable that tends to the recovery of the King's right.  
Moreover, a Truce is to be made with the Catalonians, whereby they being freed from the tumultuous courses of war, will have time to take notice of the French insolences, 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 whole people of Portugal waver between hopes and fears, and beget variety of opinions amongst them, which for the conquering of kingdoms (the Emperor Julian was wont to say) is much more advantageous than the power of an Army, as the Grandfather 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 that Crown to the 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 Majesty's service will be more easily advanced.  
Thus in obedience to your Majesties Come▪ mands, I have imparted my weak advice wherein if I have erred, your Majesty's goodness will attribute it to my want of abilities, n●t of affection. God preserve the Catholic and Royal person of your Majesty, as the Christian world, and ●e your Majesty's subjects have need.  
But to return to the affairs of Portugal, which were at this time a little discomposed by the general discontent and distaste taken at the Secretary of State, Don Francisco de Lucena, who having lived long in the Court of Spain, was at length by Olivarez means made Undersecretary to Vazconcellos, and for his readiness to proclaim King John, and his abilities in that place, his Majesty contained him there, relying upon him with so great affection and confidence, that although some had advertised his Majesty that he held correspondence with the Court at Madrid, yet he would not suspect his integrity, until the whole three Estates being again assembled upon urgent occasions, openly fused all Acts that should pass the hands of Secretary Lucena, and gave his Majesty to understand, That until Lucena were brought to trial, there should be no further proceeding in the Assembly of Estates: whereat his Majesty was much moved; yet out of his prudency resolved to give satisfaction to his subjects by delivering his Secretary up to justice; but that he might have a fair proceeding, the King sat in person during the examination of witnesses: in the mean time by the Post came secret information to his Majesty, whereupon were imprisoned the broacher and three servants of the Secretary, together with an English Monk, and a Cavalier of the habit. Not long after Lucena was arraigned and found guilty of betraying his trust, intelligence with the enemy, negligence of timely advertising the Infante Don Duarte to retire out of Germany, etc. for which he was condemned and executed in a public place in Lisbon, where he protested to the very last his innocency touching any treachery towards his Majesty.  
With the death of the Secretary the three Estates were satisfied, and according to his Majesty's command had assembled themselves Septem. 18. 1643. taking their places in their wont manner, the Dukes upon velvet Chairs without Arms, the Marquesses upon Forms covered with red Cloth, the Earls upon Forms covered with ordinary Cloth, the Prelates apart upon Forms covered with velvet, and all the Deputies of Cities and Towns upon plain forms, in order on both sides; with a passage in the middle. Being all sate, Don Emanuel d● Acugna, Dean of his Majesty's Chapel, rose up, and after reverence made to the King placed upon his Throne, delivered an elegant speech, the sum whereof was,  
That in the space of 60 years that the Kingdom was under the power of the Kings of Castille, there had been but two assemblies of Estates, the first to enslave them, the next to abuse them. But since they were under the obedience of the present King (whom God preserve) within the space of two years, they have 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 what ever was necessary, that the world might see that 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 sovereign.  
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 yourselves, you made choice of a general assistance by way of contribution; but in the levying thereof the first payment was found uneffectuall, the second unequal, the third unsufficient, 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, if there were any error committed, yet it might be excusable for that, Never had any weighty affair its conception and perfection at once; Then shall errors 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 Drowths, Dearths, Inundations, and such other disorders in Nature; for the wit of man cannot hold forth a remedy for all diseases: But certainly there will be no ground of reprehension (though much of admiration to him that shall consider how his Majesty entered upon a Kingdom exhausted by the Castilians of money and other necessaries for offence or defence, and yet how in less than one year and a half we should want neither shipping nor Artillery, nor Horse nor Arms, nor Fortifications nor Armies upon the Frontiers. Three powerful Fleets put to Sea, divers honourable and extraordinary Ambassages, besides many other secret (yet necessary) expenses, all which will astonish any understanding man. Now to● the end that the people may have full satisfaction, his Majesty commadded that (before farther 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 one part of their goods sometimes to save the rest; we are now on shipboard in a storm, our goods, our lives, our liberties, our honour, our Country, are all in danger.  
Moreover, the barbarous usage of the King of Castille towards the Infante Don Duarte, 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, etc.  
The three Estates encouraged by this Harange, took a good order for the redressing of all grievances, and advancing his Majesty's service, that soon after an Army of twenty thousand Foot, and three thousand Horse were upon their march with the King in the head thereof, resolved to make the feat of war in Castille, which was performed with much gallantry, and as much success. In the mean time news was brought to his Majesty of the birth of his second son, but first child after he came to the Crown, for which cause he was baptised with as great pomp as could be devised, and was named Alfonso.  
About the same time there arrived from the Indies some rich galleons, that brought news with what general applause and excess of joy his Majesty was proclaimed throughout all those Countries.  
But because all men understand not how considerable the several dominions belonging to the Crown of Portugal, and now in the possession of King John are, I thought fit here to make a brief narration thereof.  
The Crown of Portugal at this day enjoys considerable estates in the East Indies, that they may be called a mighty Empire; for, to say nothing of Madera, Tercera, and St Michael Islands, so long time possessed by the Portugal nation, they have made themselves masters of many strong places in Africa, as in Guinea, in the kingdom of Congo and Angola, the great Island of St. Laurence, of Soffala, and Mozambique on the Continent, thence passing the mouth of the red Sea, they have settled a Trade with Socatra and Calaiate; thence passing the Bay of Persia, and the mouth of the great river Indus, which gave occasion of the name to those countries, they subdued Calcutta, Cochim, etc. the Island of Goa, Cial, Daman, etc. thence towards the river Ganges, they conquered Ceilam, Malacca, Sumatra, Solor, Larantuca, etc. thence farther forward they entered into the kingdom of Pegu, into Juva major and minor, into the kingdom of China, where they held a strong place called Macao. In sum, the Kingdoms, Provinces, Islands Cities that the Nation of Portugal hath conquered abroad, may be compared to the ancient Roman Empire; nor hath their valour been much inferior to that of the Romans if we consider the war they have made with the King of Cambaia, who for puissance, riches, and military courage surpaspassed Xerxes, Darius, or Pyrrhus, the war they have made with Isamalucco & Idalcam in the kingdom of Decam, both equal to mighty Kings, whose Armies consisted of Persians, Turks, Janissaries; Arabs, Moors, and the best warriors of all the East: the war they have waged with the Moors of Malacca, Sumatra and Molucco, who were as well provided of Artilry, as any of the Princes of Europe; also with the Kings of Bengala, Peug, Siam, & many other formidable powers. It is true, that during the time that Portugal was under the Catholic Kings, many places were lost, yet there remains to this day under the command of K. John the fourth, above fifty Towns and Forts accounted impregnable, as Mozambique, Cuama, Monomotapa, Mombaza, Mascale Diu Damam, Bazain, Chiaul, Onor, Barcelor, Mangalor, Cananor, Cranganor Cochim, Coulam, Negapatan, Meliapor, the Isle of Ceilam, the kingdom of Jafanapatan, the Cities of Manac and Nombre de Jesus; than more Northward, Azarim, Danu, Agazim, Maim, Trapor, and many other places: in all which are maintained Governors and Soldiers, besides in the head City Goa, there is a Viceroy with all Courts of Justice, whither many Kings of the East send Tribute and Ambassadors to maintain amity with the King of Portugal, insomuch that the Portugal Trade extends itself into the East near four thousand leagues, by which are maintained all the Garrisons, all the ships (whereof there are oftimes two or three Fleets) and much wealth sent home every year. Upon the coast of Africa the Crown of Portugal yet possesseth divers places so well fortified, that the neighbouring Moores could never yet recover them.  
In America; the famous country of Brasile belongs to the King of Portugal, one thousand four hundred leagues on the coast thereof containing 14. governements whereof the head City is Saint Salvadar.  
But to return to the Frontiers of Portugal, where we left the Portugals and castilians making inroads, wasting the Country, surprising the Towns, ofts kirmishing, but never yet in any set Battle, until the year, 1644. where both Armies met upon the borders of Portugal, in a plain called Campomayor. The Spanish Army consisting for the most part of strangers, was under the conduct of the Marquis de Torrecusa, and the Portugal Army, consisting of Natives, with some few Hollanders, were under the command of Mathias d'ye Albuquerque: The battle was fought with as much order as courage on both sides, but the Spaniard being more numerous, especially in Horse, after several furious charges put the whole Army of Portugal into disorder, seized upon all their Artillery and Baggage, killed Albuquerques horse under him, and took many prisoners; yet after all, the General being mounted upon another horse, rallied some of his best Soldiers, and charging afresh, recovered all, put to flight the whole Army of their Enemies, and chased them above 3 miles. Of the Spanish Army there were slain 1600 men upon the place; amongst whom was the Lieutenant General, the General of the horse, and the General of the Artillery, 5 Campmasters, 2 Adjutants of horse, 3 Sergeant-Majors, 23 Cornets, the Count de Montixo, together with very many Cavaliers of the Orders of Saint James, Calatrava, and Alcantara; there were taken 4000 Arms, and above 1000 Horse. Of the Portugal Army were slain not above 300. amongst whom 2 Campmasters, and one Sergeant Major, one Captain of horse, and eight of Foot; but there were taken prisoners divers Noblemen, Commanders, and Officers, which were hurried away by the castilians in their flight.  
Not long after was imprisoned in Lisbon, the Marquis de Montalban, D. George Mascarenas, Lord Treasurer, Precedent of the Council of the Indies, and a Councillor of State; together with some others, upon suspicion of a conspiracy against his Majesty; but upon Examination it being discovered that the suspicion was cunningly raised by the castilians, with intent to deprive his Majesty of the service of his most able Ministers, and to make the World believe that the Portugal Nobility were discontented with their King, they were set at liberty, and their honours repaired by his Majesty's Proclamation.  
In this condition stood the King and Kingdom of Portugal in the year, 1644. and in this condition it may probably continue for many years:  
First, because the Catholic King will not probably quit his pretences here, sooner than he hath done in the Netherlands.  
Secondly, because the Nation of Portugal beareth such extraordinary affection to the whole Family of their present King, and such exceeding hatred to the castilians, that they will choose rather to be extirpated and destroyed, then be brought again under the yoke of the Catholic King.  
Thirdly, because the Catholic King is not able (during the war with France) to gain any thing upon that Kingdom either at home or abroad, as hath been evident ever since King John the Fourth came to that Crown.  
Fourthly, because it is so much the interest of France to keep the Crown of Portugal apart, that the peace with Spain will never be concluded without including Portugal.  
Lastly, supposing that by all the States of Christendom, contrary to their own interest, the Kingdom of Portugal should be abandoned to the fury of the Spaniard, and granting that Philip the second made himself master thereof by force; yet if their then impuissance and distractions be remembered, and their present power and unanimity be considered, it must necessarily be concluded, That the Reunion of Portugal with Castille is morally impossible.  
FINIS