THE HISTORY OF THE Revolution in Portugal, In the Year, 1640.  
Or, An Account of their Revolt from Spain, And setting the Crown on the Head of Don John of Braganza, Father to Don Pedro, the Present King, and Catharine Queen Dowager of England.  
Written in French by the excellent Pen of the Abbot Vertat, (Author of the History of the Revolution in Sweden.) And done into English.  
LONDON, Printed for Mat. Gillyflower, Tim. Goodwin, Mat. Wotton, Rich. Parker, and Benj. took. 1700.   

The Introduction.  
AMong the Principal Events of this last Age, none deserves our Attention more than the Revolt of Portugal, in the Year One Thousand Six Hundred and Forty. The Unanimity, Zeal, and Secrecy with which this Conspiracy was carried on for a long time, between Persons of different Ages, Sexes, and Qualities; the Ardour for recovering their Liberties, which animated them to encounter Difficulties, in appearance insuperable; and lastly, the complete Success, and the little Blood lost in the execution of this mighty Enterprise, makes it truly admirable and surprising.  
This small Fragment, as it were torn from the general History of the Times, was written in French not very long since as an Essay by the Abbot Vertat, since Author of the History of the Revolutions of Sweden; both which Pieces have been received with the Applause of the Public. The Materials out of which he has compiled this small Volume, are for the most part 
* Portugal restaurado de Menezes Caet. Passarel. Lusitania reparata de Macedo, Mercure Francois de Renandot Siry, et Recueil de Relations extraordinaires.  Printed Accounts, Journals, Gazettes, and the Relations of Persons who were at Lisbon when this Drama was acted. Most of these are indeed ill enough writ, but have received a new Life and Lustre since they have been touched by his Incomparable Pen. I might, in this place, commend the Vivacity, Politeness, and Fidelity with which this little Piece is writ; but I shall rather choose to give the Reader a view of the State of Affairs which lead to that Revolution, which is the Subject of it.  
Portugal was first erected in the Year 1139. into a Kingdom by Alphonso I. who, after he had defeated the Moors, refused to pay that Homage to Spain which his Father had done. After him Alphonso III his Great Grandson, had Algarva given him in Dowry with the Princess Beatrix, Daughter to Alphonso the Tenth King of Castille, which still gives a Title to the Heir Apparent of the Crown. Thus Portugal continued an Independent Kingdom, Governed by its own Princes, till the Brave Sebastian unfortunately perished in the Battle of Alcazar, Aug. 4. 1578. without leaving any Issue behind him. The Cardinal Dom Henry, his Great Uncle, succeeded to the Throne, whose Reign lasted but sixteen Months. After his Death, divers Princes and Princesses pretended to the Crown. Catharine, Duchess of Braganza, Philip the Second, King of Spain, the Duke of Parma, the Duke of Savoy, and Dom Antonio, Grand Prior of Crete, were all descended from Dom Emanuel, Father of the Cardinal King, but in different Degrees: There was only the Duchess of Braganza, and the K. of Spain in the same Degree and nearest the Crown. Catharine was Daughter to the Infant Edward, and Philip was Son to the Empress Elizabeth, both Children to Dom Emanuel. The Grand Prior was only Natural Son to the Infant Dom Lewis, Second Son of Dom Emanuel, but his Party gave out, there was a secret Marriage between that Prince and his Mother. Catharine de Medicis, Queen of France sent a Deputation to the States, to represent her Title as descended from Alphonso III. King of Portugal, and Maud Countess of Bolonia. The Pope too put in, and drew an Advantage from King Henry's dying a Cardinal; but all these Pretensions were little considered. All were agreed, and the most able Lawyers had determined, that the apparent Right was in the Duchess of Braganza, not only because the Laws of the Kingdom exclude Foreigners from succeeding to the Crown; but likewise by the Right of Lineal Descent, as Daughter of the Infant Edward, whose Title could not be disputed by the Empress Elizabeth his Sister, Mother to the King of Spain. And doubtless, this Duchess would have been acknowledged as Queen of Portugal, had she had the Power necessary to assert her Rightful Pretensions.   

THE HISTORY OF THE Revolution IN PORTUGAL, In the Year 1640.  
THE Spaniards had been near 
* Since the Year 1581.  Threescore Years in Possession of the Crown of Portugal. Philip the Second, King of Spain, after the Death of Henry Cardinal-King, had forced it from the House of Braganza, by the help of a Formidable Army, the best Argument to support a bad Title. This Kingdom was by degrees become a Province of Spain, and the Portuguese seemed for ever to despair of shaking off their Chains. The Great Men did not dare to appear in a Splendour suitable to their Rank, or demand a due Respect, for fear of raising Jealousies in the Spanish Ministers, at a time when the Consideration of a man's Wealth, Family, or Merit, were enough to render him suspected, and expose him to ill Usage. The Gentry were banished to their Country Seats, and the People oppressed with Excessive Taxes.  
It was a Maxim with the Conde Duke d' Olivarez, First Minister to Philip the Fourth King of Spain, That New Conquests ought to be exhausted. He knew very well the Ancient and Natural Antipathy of these Neighbouring Nations must needs render the Spanish Government hateful to the Portuguese; and that Nation could never tamely see all Places in the State filled with Strangers, or Fellows of mean Extraction, whose only Merit was their entire Devotion to the Court. For this Reason he thought the best way to establish his Master's Power, was, To exclude the Nobility and Gentry from all Employs and Public Trust, and by insensibly impoverishing the People, to leave them incapable of attempting any Alteration in the State. Besides this, He judged it necessary to drain the Kingdom of the Flower of their Youth, and the best who could bear Arms, and to employ them in Foreign Wars, to prevent such Dangerous People from disturbing the Repose of the Government.  
This Conduct, which possibly might have succeeded, if it had been carried to a certain pitch; being strained too high, had a quite contrary effect, which proceeded partly from the Distress in which the Court was at that time, and partly from the Temper then of the First Minister, naturally stiff and inflexible. They began now to disregard all Measures with Portugal, disdaining to use the ordinary Pretences for raising Money on a People. In short, they seemed more to exact a Contribution in an Enemy's Country, than a just Imposition on Subjects. The Portuguese having nothing more to lose, and despairing to see an end or mitigation of their Misery, as long as they continued in their present condition, began now to think of freeing themselves from the Severity of their cruel Masters, which they had ever esteemed Usurpers, and intolerable Tyrants.  
Margaret, Duchess of Mantua, governed Portugal at that time in Quality of Vice-Queen; but this was but a glittering Title which the Court has given to a very limited Power. The secret Counsels, and the great Management of Affairs, were entrusted in the Hands of Moguel Vasconcellos, a Portugese, who had the Character of Secretary of State to the Vice-Queen, but was indeed an Absolute and Independent Minister.  
This Man received his Orders immediately from the Conde Duke, whose Creature he was, with whom he had ingratiated, and made himself necessary by a singular Art he had of drawing perpetually considerable Sums out of Portugal; and an intrieguing Wit, which enabled him to accomplish his private Designs. He had the Art of raising Feuds and Animosities among the Great Men of the Kingdom, which He would craftily foment by his Favour, and affected Distinctions, by which he was sure to please and engage those who received them, and to create Spite and Envy in the rest. While these Divisions continued, he concluded all was safe, persuading himself the contending Parties would be wholly employed in satisfying their Resentments, and not have leisure to attempt any thing against the settled Government.  
There was no Man in Portugal besides the Duke of Braganza, who could give the Spaniards the least Disquiet. This Prince was of a mild and sweet Temper, a Lover of Ease; more a Man of Good Sense, than Quickness of Wit. In Business he went to the main Point; and easily made himself Master of what he applied himself to, but seldom cared for Application. Duke Theodosius his Father, a Hot and Violent Man, had laboured to infuse into him an Hereditary Hate to the Spaniards, whom he looked on as Usurpers of a Crown which belonged to his Family, and used all possible means to fill his Breast with the Ambition of regaining his Right, and all the Heat and Courage which is necessary for so Great and Hazardous an Enterprise.  
Dom John had indeed imbibed the Sentiments of his Father, not to so high a Degree, but in such a Manner as suited with his calm and moderate Temper. He hated the Spaniards, but not so as to be in pain to revenge the Injury. He had Ambition, and did not despair of reascending the Throne of his Ancestors; but in this He did not show so much Impatience as Duke Theodosius had done; He contented himself with a distant Prospect of a Crown, without hazarding the Repose of his Life, and a certain Fortune, which was already the greatest that could consist with the Condition of a Subject.  
In short, it is most certain, if he had been precisely what Duke Theodosius wished him, he had been less fit to obtain what he designed him for. The Conde Duke observed him with so strict an Eye, that if his manner of Living had not been entirely the Effect of his Natural Inclination, that vigilant Minister would have soon descried it; and this must have been fatal to his Ease and Fortune. The Court of Spain would never have entrusted him with so large a Power, or suffered him to lead an unmolested Life in the Heart of his Country.  
The most refined Politics could never have taught so wise a Conduct towards the Spaniards, as the Bent of his Genius, His Birth, his Fortunes, his Title to the Crown; but by the Laws of Politics it is ever a Crime to be Formidable. This he knew well enough, and saw plainly there was but one way for him to take: and this his Inclination, as well as Reason, led him to. There was but one way to lessen his Offence, and that was to render himself less feared. To this end he concerned himself in no manner of Business, and seemed wholly bend on his Diversion and Pleasure. He acted very well this Part; and at Villaweiosa, the Ordinary Residence of the Dukes of Braganza, there was nothing but Hunting-Matches, Entertainments; and all those about him were a sort of People proper to make the Pleasures of a Delicious Country relish. In short; Nature and Fortune seemed to conspire; one to give him all the Qualities proper for the present State of Affairs; and the other to dispose the State of Affairs to display his Natural Qualities.  
These did not shine enough to give the Spaniards grounds to fear he would attempt to make himself King; but they appeared solid enough for the Portuguese to hope for a mild and easy Government of themselves, should they re-place him on the Throne of his Ancestors.  
His Conduct did not give the least Jealousy, till a certain Accident alarmed the First Minister.  
The People of Evora being oppressed with new Taxes, and reduced to Despair, rose; and, in the Heat of the Tumult, some of their Leaders began to exclaim against the Spanish Tyranny, and declare publicly for the House of Braganza. This Accident made the Court sensible how much they had mistaken their Interest, in leaving so Rich and Potent a Family, whose Rights to the Crown were so clear, in the midst of a Conquered Country.  
For this Consideration the Council of Spain resolved to secure the Duke of Braganza, or at least to send him out of Portugal. In the first place they offered him the Government of Milan; which he refused, pretending his frequent Indisposition; That he had not a sufficient Knowledge of the Affairs of Italy, to acquit himself in a Post of so much Difficulty and Weight.  
The Minister seemed to approve his Reasons, but looked out for some other means to draw him to Court. The King's Marching to Suppress the Revolt in Catalonia, was the Matter which afforded the next Pretence. Upon this Occasion he writes to him to come at the Head of the Nobility of his Country, to join the Troops of Castille in so glorious an Expedition, where the King Commanded in Person. But the Duke, who had a just Suspicion of whatever came from Court, soon discovered this Artifice, and excused himself from this Attendance; pretending, That His Birth and Quality obliged him to an extraordinary Expense, and his Fortunes were not in a condition to support it.  
France and Spain were at that time engaged in a War, and the French Fleet had been off the Coasts of Portugal; and this Occasion gave that Minister a fair Colour to cover his Design. It was necessary to appoint some General to Command the Forces which were designed for the Defence of the Coasts, and preventing the French from making a Descent. He sent the Duke therefore a Commission for this purpose, which was so filled with Compliments, and entrusted him with so unlimited a Power to increase or make alteration in all Garrisons, and dispose of Vessels in the Ports at his Discretion, that by so absolute a Confidence he seemed to deliver the whole Kingdom into his hands. But this fair Appearance only concealed the Snare; and at the same time he sent secret Orders to Dom Lopez Ozono, who Commanded the Spanish Fleet, to put into one of the Ports, near where the Duke should happen to be, upon pretence of being driven in by Stress of Wether, and then to invite him to some Entertainment, and when he was Aboard to bring him into Spain. But Fate ordered Matters quite otherwise; and the Spanish Admiral being surprised with a Tempest, lost several of his Ships; and the rest were so dispersed, that he could not Land with them in Portugal.  
The ill Success of this Project did not dismay the Conde Duke; he imputed the Duke of Braganza's Escape wholly to Chance and Fortune, concluding, That all things must necessarily have answered his Desires, if Dom Lopez had arrived in the Ports of that Kingdom according to his Instructions. And therefore he invents a new Trick, and writes to that Prince in the most obliging manner he could imagine, filling his Letter with the highest Expressions of Confidence, as if he had been a Partner with himself in the Ministry and Government. In this Letter he complains of the Misfortune of the Fleet, and how sensible he was of the Loss they had sustained, at a Time when the Enemies were so Formidable at Sea; That being unhappily deprived of the Naval Strength, which should have guarded their Coasts, the King wished he would take an exact Review of all the Forts and Harbours of that Kingdom, which might he exposed to the Insults of the French. And with this he sent an Order for Forty Thousand Ducats for the defraying his Expenses, and raising more Forces in case it should be needful.  
At the same time the Governors of the Citadels, most of which were Spaniards, had secret Orders sent to secure his Person, when a favourable Occasion should present, and send him into Spain.  
The Duke of Braganza reflecting on these high Marks of Confidence; and how little agreeable this was to the usual Conduct of that Minister, began to suspect the Sincerity of his Intentions, which, in the end, caused the Author to fall into that Snare which he laid for another. The Prince therefore writes back to assure him, That He accepted with abundance of Joy the Command which the King had given him; That He hoped by his Application, and Zeal for his Service, he should justify his Choice, and show himself worthy of the Favour he had so graciously conferred on him.  
And now having a nearer Prospect than before of remounting the Throne of his Ancestors, he made use of all the Power he was invested with to put his Friends into all Posts and Employs where they might one day be useful to him. He expended the Spanish Moneys in making of New Creatures; and when he visited the Forts, it was always with a great Attendance, which made them despair of seizing his Person.  
The whole Court of Spain began to murmur that a Trust of so high a nature should be lodged in him, the King only being privy to the Reasons of this Conduct. Every one began to rail at the Conde Duke, as Allied to the House of Braganza, urging, That it was the last Imprudence to make a Person General of the Forces in Portugal, who had so great Pretensions to the Crown of that Kingdom; That this was in effect to put him in a condition to assert his Title, and turn his Arms against his Lawful Sovereign. This served only to confirm the King in his Resolution, who approved the Design better when he found the People did not discern the Secret of it. In the mean time the Duke of Braganza, by virtue of his new Employment, traversed all Parts of Portugal; in which Progress he laid the Foundations of his Restoration. His Equipage was Magnificent, and drew the Eyes of the People wherever he came: He heard all who came to him with great Mildness and Sweetness of Temper: He kept the Soldiers from committing the least Disorder; frequently extolled the Officers, winning them by all the Recompenses which were in his Power to bestow. His free Deportment charmed the Nobility; all whom he received with obliging Distinctions, according to their Merit and Quality: In short, he dispensed his Favours wherever he came, and won more by Hopes of future Benefits than present; and all who were about him began to esteem it the greatest Happiness could befall them, that so noble a Prince should be restored to the Throne.  
The Party who adhered to his Interest, omitted nothing which might conduce to establish his Reputation. Among these, none laboured more effectually than Pinto Ribeuro, controller of his Household, to set all Machine's on work, and form a Scheme for the Advancement of his Master. This Man had all the Qualities proper for a Business of this nature; He was Active, Vigilant, had great Experience in Business, and a violent Passion for the Restoration of the Duke; doubtless flattering himself with the Hopes of having a large share in the Ministry whenever he should bring this to pass. The Prince had in private assured him, That he would lay hold of any Fair occasion to place himself in the Throne, but was resolved not to hazard this at all Adventures, as a Man who had nothing to lose; that he might manage the People, and Gain as many Creatures as he could, provided himself did not appear to have any share in what he did.  
Pinto had for a long time laboured with great Industry to observe who were disaffected, and to increase the Number. For this purpose he privately raised Murmurs against the present Government, sometimes railing against the Government with a great deal of Warmth, at other times with more Reserve, according to the Character or Humour of the Persons he was with. He would frequently remind People of Quality of the Honourable Posts their Families had formerly enjoyed when Portugal was governed by its Natural Princes. But nothing exasperated the Nobility more, than the Summons which the King had sent them to attend him into Catalonia. Pinto inveighed against this Expedition, representing it as a sort of Banishment; urging, That they must not hope to return without great difficulties; That besides a vast Expense, they must endure the hateful Insolence of the Spaniards; That The Court of Spain had a private Interest to destroy the Bravest Men, or expose them in all Places where there was most Danger, and least Glory to be obtained.  
If he happened to be among Citizens or Merchants, he exclaimed against the Injustice of the Spaniards, who had ruined Lisbon and the whole Country of Portugal, by transferring the Trade of the Indies to Cadiz; he entertained them with nothing else but Discourses of the extreme Misery they were reduced to by so Tyrannical a Government; extolling the Hollanders and Catalonians, who had nobly delivered themselves. In the last place, he suggested to the Clergy how they had violated the Privileges and Immunities of the Church: That the most considerable Dignities and Benefices, which ought to be a Recompense to the Merit and Capacity of the Portuguese, were bcome a Prey to Foreigners.  
In Company of those whom he knew to be disaffected, he would ever turn his Discourse to his Master's Humour and Manner of Living. Here he would complain of that Idle Life in which he seemed to be buried, expressing his great Regret, that the only Person who was able to remedy their Grievances, should show so little Affection to his Country, or Concern for his Honours; and observing these Discourses to make an impression on them, he pushed Matters so far, as to flatter some with the Glorious Title of the Asserters of the Liberty of their Country, raising their indignation at the ill treatment of the Spaniard, and to give other Hopes of advancing their Fortunes by a Revolution.  
In short, he managed the Temper of the People with so great Skill, that being well assured of Divers privately, he procured a Meeting of the Nobility, with the Archbishop of Lisbon at their Head.  
This Prelate was descended of one of the best Houses 
* D' Acugna.  in that Kingdom; was a Man of Learning, an able Statesman, and beloved by the People, but hated by the Spaniards, whom he hated no less, because they had preferred the Archbishop of Braga, 
* Dom Sebastian de Mattos de Noroguia.  a Creature of the Vice-queen, whom they had made Precedent of the Chamber of Opaco, and given a share in the Administration of Affairs.  
Dom Miguel d' Almeida was one of the most cOnsiderable Members of this Company. This was a venerable Old Gentleman, who had gained a mighty Esteem by his Worth: He placed his Glory in preferring the Interest of his Country to his Fortunes, and could not without Indignation see it enslaved by Usurpers. He persisted in this sense his whole Life with great Bravery and Resolution, and neither the Advice of his Friends, or the Entreaties of his Relations could ever induce him to go to the Palace, or make his Court to the Spanish Ministers. This Steddiness in his Conduct had created some Jealousy of him, and determined Pinto to pitch on him to make his Declaration to, being well assured he should not hazard any thing in making a Confidence with a Man of such a Character, and one who was able to bring so great a Number of the Nobility over to his Party.  
Dom Antonio d' Almada, an intimate Friend to the Archbishop was there, and Dom Lewis his Son; Dom Lewis d' Acugna, Nephew to that Prelate, and married to the Daughter of Dom Antonio d' Almada, the Master of the Horse; melo, Dom George his Brother; Pedro Mendoza, Dom Rodrigo de Saa, High Chamberlain, and divers Officers of the Royal Family, whose Place were become empty Title, since Portugal had lost her Natural Kings.  
At this Meeting the Archbishop, who was naturally Eloquent, displayed the calamitous State of that Kingdom; He represented to them, How Philip the Second, to secure his Conquest, had destroyed an infinite Number of the Nobility: That He had not spared the Church, witness the Famous Brief of Absolution 
* C●nestagio.  which he had obtained of the Pope for the Murder of Two thousand Priests and Religious persons, whom he had put to Death to secure his Usurpation: That since those Dismal Times, the Spaniards had not changed their Measures: That they had taken off a great many Worthy persons for no other Crime, but their Love to their Country: That no Man present had his Life or Estate secure to him: That the Great Men were excluded from the Government, destitute of Employ, and neglected: That the Church had been filled with a scandalous Clergy, since Vasconcellos had bestowed Benefices as Rewards on his Creatures: That the People were oppressed with Taxes; the Country wanted Hands to Till it, and the Cities were desolate, being exhausted by those Forces which were sent into Catalonia: That these Orders to Summon the Nobility under a Pretence, of attending the King, was the last shift the Minister could use to take off the Remains of those Gentlemen whom he conceived might be an Obstacle to his pernicious Designs: That the least Misfortune which could befall them, must be a tedious Banishment, and they must wear away their Lives in the Heart of Castille, while new Colonies were possessed of their Estates at Home: That for his part, in this deplorable state of Things, he should choose to die, rather than see the entire Ruin and Destruction of his Country, if he had not some Hopes of so many Worthy Persons were not met together to no purpose.  
This Speech revived in the Company the uneasy Memory of those Grievances they had so long laboured under. Every one was earnest to give some Instances of the Cruelties of Vasconcellos; Some had lost their Estates by his Injustice, others had been turned out of their Hereditary Places and Governments to make room for his Creatures; divers of them had for a long time groaned in Prison to satisfy the Jealousy of the Spanish Ministers; some were concerned for the Loss for their Fathers, Brothers, Friends detained at Madrid, or sent into Catalonia as Hostages for the Fidelity of their Countrymen. In short, there was no one in this public Cause who had not some private Injury to revenge. The Expedition into Catalonia incensed them, and raised their Indignation to the last degree. They saw plainly this did not proceed from any Necessity, which constrained the Spaniards to make use of their Assistance, but a design of that Court to ruin them by so long a March. These Considerations, joined with the Hopes of Revenging so many Affronts as they had received, determined them, and made them resolve to take all proper Measures to throw off a Yoke which they sound too heavy to bear; and being deprived of all Hopes of mitigating their unhappy Condition, they reproached their Patience as a Baseness and Meanness of Spirit, and unanimously agreed there was a necessity of driving out the Spaniard, but were divided what Form of Government they ought to prefer.  
One part of the Company were for a Republic, like that of Holland; another part were inclined to have a King; and of this Number some proposed the Duke of Braganza, others the Marquis de Villareal, and others the Duke d' Aveiro, all three Princes of the Royal Blood of Portugal, each delivering his Mind as his Fancy or Interest led him. But the Archbishop, who was devoted to the House of Braganza, dextrously using the Authority of his Character, made a Remonstrance, not without some Vehemence; alleging, That the Choice of Government was not Arbitrary: That they could not in Conscience break that Oath of Fidelity which they had taken to Spain, except it were to do Justice to the Rightful Heir of that Crown, which all the World knew was the Duke of Braganza; and therefore they must resolve to acknowledge him as their King; or for ever remain under the Dominion of Spain. In the next place he desired them to reflect on the Power, the great Wealth, and the vast Number of Vassals of that Prince, on whom one Third of that Kingdom depended; urging, They could never hope to drive out the Spaniards, unless they had him at their Head; and that to engage him in an Affair of this nature, they must offer him the Crown, whose Right was indubitable, as being the first Prince of the Blood. From thence he passed to his good Qualities, extolling his Prudence, Wisdom, and especially the sweetness of his Temper, and his obliging Behaviour. In short, he gave so happy a Turn to this Matter, they all declared for him as their King, and agreed, That nothing should be wanting that could engage him in this Design. Thus the Company broke up, having first agreed on the Time and Place where they should meet again, to consider of the best Means to bring the Matter to a speedy and successful Issue.  
Pinto seeing them thus disposed in Favour of his Master, writ privately to him to come into the Neighbourhood of Lisbon, for the encouraging the Conspirators by his Presence, and taking precise Measures with them for the Execution of that Design. This crafty Man put in Motion all the Wheels in that Affair, without appearing to be any farther concerned than a private Person, acted by a Zeal for the Public Service. He seemed to doubt whether his Master would enter into it, upon the Account of his Natural Aversion to all Hazardous Undertake, which require Application and Attendance. He started some Difficulties, which served only to remove all Suspicion of any Understanding between him and his Master; and yet were such as tended rather to excite their Ardour, than discourage them.  
Upon the Advice which Pinto gave, the Duke some Days after left Villaviciosa, and came to Almada, a Castle near Lisbon, under Colour of Visiting the Forts of that Kingdom. His Equipage was very Magnificent, and he had a vast Train, composed of Men of Quality, and Officers of the Army; which more resembled a King taking Possession of his Kingdom, than of a Governor of a Province visiting the Places under his Care and Inspection. Being near Lisbon, he could not dispense with paying his Duty to the Vice-Queen. When he entered the Great Court of the Palace, all the Avenues were filled with an infinite number of People, who crowded to see him pass along, and most of the Nobility came to his House to wait on him. It was a general Holiday throughout the Town, and all People were overjoyed to see him; there seemed only to want a Herald to proclaim him King, or Resolution enough in himself to put the Crown on his Head.  
But this Prince was too wise, and had too much Experience to trust so important a Concern to the Sallies of a fickle and inconstant Multitude; He very well understood the vast difference between those vain Shouts which the People soon quit, and those steady Motions which are necessary to support an Enterprise of that nature. Thus after he had taken his Leave of the Vice-Queen, he retired to Almada, without going to Braganza-House, or passing through the City, to prevent making the Spaniards uneasy, who were already too much alarmed at the Transports of the People.  
Pinto did not fail to observe to his Friends the Fear and Caution which his Master used; urging, That they ought to improve the opportunity of his stay at Almada, to break the Matter to him, and use some sort of Violence to engage him to accept of the Crown, which was at this time absolutely necessary for the public Good. The Conspirators approving this Advice, appointed him to obtain of his Master some favourable Occasion for making this Proposition: He accepted this Commission without much difficulty, and the Duke of Braganza agreed to an Interview, on condition that only Three of the Conspirators should meet him, not judging it proper to explain himself to more.  
So Miguel d' Almeida, Antonio d' Almada, and Mendoza, came to him that Night; and being introduced privately into his Closet, d' Almada, who spoke for the rest, made a lively Representation of the unhappy State of that Kingdom, where persons of all Conditions were exposed to the Injustice and Cruelty of the castilians; adding, That himself, with all his Greatness, was not secure from their Attempts: That He was too discerning a person not to observe the Industry which the prime Minister used to destroy him: That there was no other Refuge to escape his ill designs, except the Throne: That in order to put him into that, he had Commission to offer him the Services of a considerable Number of Persons of Rank, who would sacrifice their Lives and Fortunes with pleasure for his Interests, and to deliver their Country from its insolent Masters.  
In the next place he told him, The Time of Charles the Fifth and Philip the Second were passed, when the Spaniards were the Terror of Europe, and gave Laws to their Neighbours: That this Monarchy which had formerly conceived such vast Designs, could now scarce preserve her ancient Territory, was attacked, and often beat by the French and Hollanders: That Catalonia alone employed her utmost Strength: That she, was destitute of Troops and Money, and governed by a weak Prince, who himself was governed by a Minister hateful to the Kingdom. He wished him to consider the Alliance and Protection which he might expect from those Princes, in Europe, who were Eternal Enemies to the House of Austria: That Holland and Catalonia showed what Assistance he might expect from a great Minister, 
* The Cardinal Richelieu.  whose mighty Genius seemed bend to ruin that House: That the Sea opened a way for receiving all necessary Supplies. In short; That the Kingdom being empried of the castilian Garrisons, which the King had been forced to draw out of Portugal, to increase his Army in Catalonia, he could never hope for a more fovourable Juncture to assert his Right, and free his Country from Tyranny and Slavery.  
It may easily be thought this Discourse was very well relished by the Duke of Braganza; but he with that Coldness, which was natural to him, so ordered the Expressions of his Reply to the Deputies, that he seemed neither to lessen or increase their Hopes.  
He told them, That he was of their Opinion: That the Spaniards had reduced the Kingdom to a Deplorable State: That Himself was not exempt from Danger: That he could never enough commend their Zeal for their Country; And that he was in particular very much obliged to them for the favourable Regard they had to his Interest: but after all, he doubted if the Time was yet come, to think of such violent Remedies as they proposed, which always had very bad consequences, if the Event did not fall out as was projected.  
To this Answer (for a more positive one he would not give) he added so many Caresses and obliging Thanks to each Man in particular, that they went away satisfied their Message was well Received; but that they must expect the Prince would make no more Advances in the Matter, than by giving his Consent when Things should be in a Condition to put the Success out of doubt.  
After the Deputies were gone, he agreed with Pinto what new Measures were best to be taken, and so went back to Villaviciosa; and now he began to feel a Disquiet of Mind, which hindered him from relishing the Pleasures of a private Life.  
As soon as he was returned, he communicated to the Duchess, his Wife, the Propositions which had been made to him. This Princess was of Spanish Extraction, and Sister to the Duke of Medina Sidonia, a Grandee of Spain, and Governor of Andalusia. She had by Nature a strong inclination to whatever was great and noble, which in time was grown up to a boundless Passion for Glory. The Old Duke finding mighty things were to be expected from her Wit and Courage, had taken care to improve the Gifts of Nature by a suitable Education. He placed about her the fittest Persons to inspire Ambition into her Breast, which the World regards as something noble, and the chief Virtue of a Prince. She learned several Tongues with a great deal of ease, but nothing could come near that wondrous Sweetness with which she expressed herself in her natural Language. In the Sound of her Voice, and in every word she spoke, was a secret Charm, which ravished all who heard her. Her Air was noble, great, and free, full of a majestic Sweetness, which at the same time inspired Love and Respect into those who were about her.  
She took the Portuguese Air with so much ease, she seemed Born at Lisbon. In the first place, she was careful to win the Esteem of her Husband, which she perfectly well did by the Austerity of her Life, by a solid Devotion, and a perfect Complaisance to his Relish. She waved those Pleasures which are the ordinary Amusement of Persons of her Quality and Age, and seemed to employ her leisure Hours in those things which might embellish her Mind, or improve her Judgement.  
The Duke of Braganza was transported with the Happiness of enjoying so finished a Woman: He had an infinite Esteem for her, and an entire Confidence in her: He never undertook any thing without consulting with her, and therefore had a care not to engage in an Affair of this kind without her Advice and Opinion.  
He discovered to her the Plan of the Conspiracy, the Names of the Persons privy to it, their Zeal and Warmth, and every Particular that had passed at Lisbon, and the Conference at Almada. He added, That on the News of the Expedition into Catalonia, he plainly saw the Nobility would revolt, rather than be compelled to leave their Country: That, it was to be feared, upon his Refusal, they would look out for another Head: That notwithstanding, he could not forbear confessing, that the Danger of the Enterprise startled him: That as often as he had thought of this Design at a distance, the flattering Idea of Greatness had made an agreeable impression on his Mind; but now he was upon the point of putting this in execution, and running all the Risks of so hazardous an Undertaking, he could not look without Dread on the Danger which he and his whole Family was about to throw himself into. That the fickle Humour of the Multitude was not much to be relied on, the Edge of whose Courage is taken off by the least Difficulty, and they easily dispersed by every Blast of Wind. That it was not sufficient for him to have the Nobility on his side, unless they were supported by the Great Men of the Kingdom, but very far from hoping they would come over to his Interest. He could not but foresee they would be the most cruel of his Enemies; the natural Pride of Mankind never suffering them to make a Master of one who has once been their Equal.  
These Considerations, with several other; as the Power of Spain, the small Assurance of Foreign Assistance, balanced his Passion for Government. But the Duchess, who had a greater Firmness of Mind, and a more lively Ambition, closed wholly with the Conspiracy. The View of so great an Undertaking, served only to excite her Courage, and rouse up her Ardent Thirst after Greatness: She represented to her Husband with a great deal of Vehemence, the undoubted Rights which he had to the Crown: That in the deplorable State to which the castilians had reduced Portugal, a Man of his Rank and Quality could not dispense with remaining any longer indifferent: That his Children and Posterity would reproach his Memory with a Pusillanimity beneath his Blood, if he should lose so favourable an Opportunity. After this she exaggerated to that Prince the sweetness of Reigning in a Country where he could not Obey without Fear; the Charms of a Crown, and the Facility of seizing it: That in case he should miss of that Foreign Aid which had been offered to him, he was Potent enough to expel the Spaniards, especially at this Juncture, when there was a Revolt in Catalonia. In fine, she so Skilfully showed him the Crown on its most glittering side, that she determined him. But in this she agreed with him, to let the Number of the Conspirators increase, before he declared himself more positively, and not to appear publicly in this Matter till the Moment of its Execution.  
All this while the Court was not without some Disquiet. The extraordinary Marks of Joy which the People of Lisbon had shown on the Duke of Braganza's appearing amongst them, had made a great Impression on the Minister. He began to suspect private Clubs were held in that City; and some Rumours, which commonly precede great Events, exceedingly increased his uneasiness.  
The King held several Councils on this Occasion; in which it was resolved, That for the effectual defeating the Portuguese Hopes of a Revolt, the Duke of Braganza, the only Person whom they had occasion to fear, should forthwith be sent for to Madrid. For this purpose the Conde Duke sent a Courier to him, with this Message; That the King had a Mind to be informed from himself, and confer with him concerning the State of the Troops and Garrisons in Portugal: That he was mightily wished for at Court by his Friends; and that he could not doubt he should be received in a manner suitable to his Birth and Merit.  
No Clap of Thunder could have surprised him more than this News. The Earnestness and different Pretences they made use of to draw him out of Portugal, confirmed his suspicion they had a Design on his Person, and were resolved to take him off. They had left pretended Employs and false Caresses, and were now come to positive Orders, which would soon be followed by Force and Violence in case of Disobedience. This put him into a Panic Fear, imagining he was betrayed; the usual Fate of those who have great Projects in their Head, who still believe the World is busy in observing their Steps, and guesses at the Secret of them. Thus did that diffident Prince perplex himself, thinking he was now plunged in an Ocean of Trouble.  
However, to gain Time, and have leisure to give the Conspirators notice of his Danger, by the Advice of his Wife, he sent a Gentleman of his House, a Person of great Address and Fidelity, to Madrid, to assure the Minister he would suddenly attend the King. To this Man he gave secret Instructions, to invent from Time to Time different Pretences to excuse his Delay, hoping to prevent the Storm by bringing the Conspiracy to ripeness. As soon as this Gentleman was at Madrid, he assured the King and First Minister, that his Master followed him. He took a great House, which he furnished very richly, and retained a great Number of Servants, giving them Liveries by way of Advance, laying out very considerable Sums of Money every day. In short, he omitted nothing to make them believe the Prince would come immediately, and appear at Court in all the Splendour becoming a Person of his Rank.  
Some few Days after, he feigned to have received Advice, That he was very ill. At last, finding this would not hold longer, he presented a Memorial to the First Minister, praying in the Name of the Duke his Master, the King would assign his Precedence in the Court.  
He thought this would take up some time to adjust, and meet with Opposition from the Great Men, who would intervene to maintain their Rights: But the Minister, who began to suspect these Delays, soon removed all Difficulties, and engaged the King to declare in his Favour, in every point for his Honour; so desirous he was to draw him out of Portugal, and see him at Madrid.  
The Conspirators no sooner understood the Orders which the Duke had received from the Court, but fearing he should obey them they sent Mendoza to confirm him and engage him more strictly to their Party. They made choice of this Gentleman, because being Governor of a Place near Villaviciosa, the pretence of going to his Government covered the secret Intention of this Journey from the Spaniards. He took an opportunity of meeting that Prince a Hunting; They struck into the Wood, and stopping in a private place, Mendoza laid before him the Danger which he exposed himself to by going to Court: That he would absolutely ruin the Hopes of the Nobility and People by putting himself with too rash a confidence into the Hands of his Enemies: That there were a great Number of well-qualified Gentlemen who were resolved to sacrifice their Lives and Fortunes for his Service: That they only expected notice from him when they should appear: That the Critical minute was now come when he must choose either to die or wear a Crown: That it was Hazardous to make any further Delays; and he must not doubt an Affair of so great Importance, which was entrusted in so many Hands, must needs at length come to the Knowledge of the Spaniards. The Duke replied, That he was of his mind, and that he might assure his Friends that he was resolved to put himself at their Head.  
Mendoza returned Post to Lisbon, acquainted his Friends with the Success of his Voyage; and that the Prince desired Pinto might come to him. Him they sent away instantly with necessary Instructions to inform the Duke of the Scheme and Ways by which they intended to put their Project in Execution. When Pinto came, he acquainted him in what Confusion the Court at Lisbon was; the Vice-Queen made high Complaints of the Insolence and Pride of Vasconcellos; That she could not any longer endure that all the Dispatches from Spain should be Addressed to him, while she being invested with a glittering Title, had no real Authority. This Complaint was the more to be regarded, because That Princess was a Person of great Merit, and every way capable of Discharging the Extent of her Trust: but indeed the Greatness of her Genius, and her other good Qualities, were the principal Reason why she had so inconsiderable a share in the Government allowed her.  
Pinto observed to his Master how much this misunderstanding favoured his Designs, and that he could not lay hold of a fairer occasion than these Divisions at Court, which would not give the Spanish Ministers leave to observe the Steps he should take.  
The Duke, who perceived the Strength of his Reasons, found himself likewise pressed by that Gentleman whom he sent to Madrid. He received Letters from him every Day, assuring him, That he could not find new Colours for his Absence, or delude the Minister, who would not any longer hear his Excuses. Thus seeing he had no Time to lose, he resolved to rise without delay. And now to gain Time for the disposing his Affairs, he commanded his Agent to represent to the Conde Duke d'Olivarez, That he should have been at Madrid before that time, if he had had Money enough to bear the Expenses of his Journey, and enable him to make a Figure suitable to his Quality and Character; and that as soon as he could raise the necessary Funds, he would instantly come away for the Court.  
When he had sent the Dispatch, he took Pinto with him into the Duchess' Apartment, to consider of the most proper means to put their Design in execution. And after some Debate, the Duke resolved on this, That it was necessary to secure Lisbon, which being the Capital, was the Spring which moved the whole Kingdom: That on the same Day that City should declare for him, he would cause himself to be proclaimed King of Portugal in all the Cities of his Dependence: That those of his Friends, who were Governors of Forts, should do the same in all Places where they Commanded, and the Conspirators should raise the People in all the Towns and Villages which belonged to them; that so this General Insurrection diffusing itself like a Conflagration through every part of the Kingdom, the Spaniards might not know whither to bend their Arms: That he would fling his own Regiment into the Town of Elvas, the Governor of which was at his Devotion: That as for the manner of seizing Lisbon, he could not prescribe any thing, that Action depending wholly on the Time, and other Circumstances when they should attempt it: That however he was of the Opinion, they ought to make their first Attacks on the Palace, and secure the Person of the Vice-Queen, and the rest of the Spaniards, who might serve as Hostages for the Surrender of the Citadel, which otherwise might very much incommode the Town after they were Masters of it.  
He gave two Letters of Credence, one to d'Almeida, and the other to Mendoza; in which he signified to them, That he had entrusted the Bearer with his Intentions; He only added, That he hoped they would be Faithful to the Assurances they had given him, and act with Courage and Vigour in the Work they were about to undertake. After this the Duke sent Pinto to Lisbon, having first given him the highest Marks of Confidence, he should enjoy the same Place in his Affection, after a Revolution, that he now had.  
As soon as he came to Lisbon, he delivered his Letters to d' Almeida and Mendoza, who sent immediately to Le Mos and Coreé, whom Pinto had formerly brought over to his Master's Interest. These were two Rich Citizens, who had a mighty Authority with the People; they had passed through most of the Offices of the City, and had a great Number of Workmen who depended on them. These Men had taken a great deal of Pains to foment and cherish in the Minds of the Townsmen an Aversion to the Spaniards, by Rumours they daily spread of Taxes intended to be raised the beginning of the next Year. They had discharged several of their Workmen, especially the most Mutinous, pretending the Badness of Trade would not suffer them to employ them, they could not keep them any longer; while their Real Intent was by Necessity and Starving, to prepare them for an Insurrection. And the better to accomplish their Ends, they supplied these starving Wretches from Time to Time, keeping them at their Devotion. Besides this, these Men held a private Correspondence with the principal Persons in all Parts of the Town; by the help of which, they assured the Conspirators, That upon notice given the Night before the Execution, they would engage to raise the People at any Hour they should assign.  
Pinto being thus assured of the Inferior People, began to look to the other Conspirators, whom he urged to be ready upon the first Alarm, desiring they would secure their Friends under pretence of some private Quarrel, without making them privy to the design in which they should be employed. In this Conduct he gave proof of an Extraordinary Prudence, there being abundance of People who have Courage and Resolution when the Sword is in their hands, who are not able in cold Blood to bear the weight of so important a Secret.  
Thus finding every one firm, undaunted, and impatient to be revenged on the Spaniards, he conferred with d' Almeida, Mendoza d' Almada, and melo; who finding all things in such a condition as they wished, agreed on Saturday 
* 1st. Decemb. 1640.  the First of December for the Execution. They gave notice to the Duke of Braganza of this Resolve, that so he might cause himself to be proclaimed King in the Province of Alenteio, which almost entirely depended on him; and agreed before the Company broke up, to have another Meeting 
* 25th of November.  to take the last Measures for the Action.  
The 25th of November, at night, they met at Braganza House, as they had agreed. They found they could account on a hundred and fifty Gentlemen, the most part of which were the Heads of their Families, with all their Domestics, and about Two hundred Citizens and Tradesmen; and they concluded by the Interest of these, they should bring the greatest Part of the People over to them.  
The Death of Vasconcellos was resolved on as a Victim due to the Resentment of the Portuguese, and some proposed to treat the Archbishop of Braga after the same manner. They represented him as a Man whose great Abilities rendered him formidable: That it was not to be thought he could stand as an unconcerned Spectator in this public Confusion: That possibly he might put himself at the Head of the Spaniards, and their Creatures; and whilst they were busy in making themselves Masters of the Palace, he might throw himself into the Citadel, or come to the Assistance of the Vice-Queen, to whom all the World knew he was devoted: That in an Affair of this Nature it was a great Imprudence to leave Enemies behind them: That such a Conduct might possibly give them occasion to repent severely of their ill-timed and mistaken Pity.  
These Reasons drew the greatest part of the Company to consent to his Death; and this Prelate had suffered the same Fate as Vasconcelles, if Dom Miguel d' Almeida had not taken his part. He remonstrated to the Conspirators, That the Death of a Man of his Character, and in so high a Dignity, would render them odious to all the World: That such an Action would draw on the Duke of Braganza the Hatred of the Clergy and Inquisition, a Race of Men formidable to the greatest Princes, and add the Reproach of an Excommunicated Person to that of Rebel and Usurper: That the Prince himself would be deeply affected to see his Accession to the Throne blemished by so bloody an Action: That Himself would have an Eye over him, and take effectual care to prevent his undertaking any thing to the prejudice of the public Interest. In short, he spoke so much in his Favour, that he obtained the Life of that Prelate, of his Friends, who could not refuse any thing to a Man of his Worth.  
Nothing farther remained to be adjusted, but the Order they should march in, and the Manner of making the first Attack. At last it was resolved to throw themselves in four different Parties, into so many several Parts of the Palace, and make themselves Masters of the several Avenues; to cut off all Communication, and prevent the Spaniards from bringing any Assistance. That Dom Miguel d' Almeida should attack the Germane Guard before the Palace-Gates: That the Great Master of the Horse, melo, his Brother, and Dom Estean d' Acugna at the Head of the Townsmen, should surprise a Spanish Company which kept Guard every Day before the Fort: That Feillo de Menezes, Emanuel Saa, the Great Chamberlain, should make themselves Masters of Vasconcello's Apartment, whom they should forthwith dispatch: That Dom Antonio d' Almada, Mendoza, Dom Carlos Norogna, and Antonio de Salsania, should secure the Person of the Vice-Queen, and all the Spaniards in the Palace to serve as Hostages if there should be occasion: That whilst each one was busy in making themselves Masters of the Posts, assigned them some few Horse should be detached away, who, with some principal Citizens should proclaim Dom John Duke of Braganza, King of Portugal: That when the Multitude was drawn into the Streets, they should throw themselves where any Opposition should happen to be made. Thus they broke up with a Resolution to meet on Saturday the First of December, some at Dom Miguel d' Almeida's, and others at d' Almadas and Mendoza's Houses, where the Conspirators were to Arm themselves.  
While the Friends of the Duke of Braganza were thus busy at Lisbon in advancing his Affairs, he himself was employed in securing the Provinces; the First Minister alarmed by these Delays, dispatched away a Courier, with express Orders for him to come immediately to Court, and to prevent his making any pretence of Want of Money, he sent with him an Order for Ten Thousand Ducats on the Royal Treasury.  
This was plain and intelligible Language. The Duke could not defer his Journey without justly rendering himself suspected: He could not with any Colour of Reason dispense with obeying the King's Message; and had Grounds to conclude, That all farther Delays would soon bring some unwelcome Orders from Madrid, which would break all his Measures, and ruin his Enterprise. And therefore, to make an Appearance of complying with the King's pressing Commands, he ordered the greatest part of his Household to set forward for Madrid.  
He gave all necessary Orders during his Absence: He dispatched away a Gentleman at the same time to the Vice-Queen, to give her notice of his Departure. He writ to the First Minister to assure him, that he would be at Court within Eight days at farthest; and to have all things represented to the best advantage, he bribed the Courier with a Sum, under a pretence of a Gratuity for his Care and Dispatch in bringing the King's Orders to him. At the same time he acquainted the Conspirators with these fresh Orders, laying before them the Necessity of putting their Designs in execution on the Day which was agreed on, for fear of being prevented by the Spaniards.  
But there was an Obstacle which hindered them from attempting any thing so suddenly. There was a Man of Quality at Lisbon, who showed on all Occasions a violent Hatred of the Spanish Government. He would ever be Railing against them, calling them Tyrants and Usurpers, and declaiming against their Injustice and Oppression; above all, he would ever be venting his Spleen on the Expedition into Catalonia, and making a Thousand dismal Prognostics on it. D' Almada having frequently conversed with him, did not believe any Man could more hearty wish the Prosperity of Portugal, or would be more transported to hear of any Designs on foot for the effectual Restoring of its Liberty. But, Gods! how he was astonished, when taking him aside, to acquaint him with this Conspiracy! He found him as fearful and backward in Action, as he had appeared daring in Words. He began now to excuse himself from having any share in this matter, or being concerned in this Plot, pretending there was no good Grounds to proceed on; and the same Person, who so Bold and Brave when the Thing was remote, was now become timorous, and scared at the Prospect of the least Danger; Where, says he to d' Almada, are those Forces which are necessary to support a Design of this nature? What Army have you to oppose the Spanish Troops, which will be poured into the Country upon the first Motion of this kind? What Great Men have you to appear at the Head of you? Or, have they a Fund sufficient to bear the Expense of a Civil War? I'm afraid, that instead of Restoring the Liberties of Portugal, your Attempt will only prove destructive to it, and furnish the Spaniards with a Pretence, which they have long sought for, to accomplish the Ruin of this Kingdom.  
D' Almada, who expected nothing less than Expressions of this kind, enraged to find he had trusted his Secret in so ill hands, gave no other Answer; but drawing his Sword, his Eyes sparkling with Rage, replied, False Man! either thou shalt take my Life, together with my Secret, or I will make thee an Example for having thus surprised my Credulity by thy Lies and Imposture. The other, who always held it Prudent to avoid the Danger which was nearest, at the sight of a drawn Sword consented to all that d' Almada had proposed, and offered to enter into the Conspiracy, finding Reasons to invalidate those he first gave; he swore with repeated Oaths again to keep the Secret inviolably: In short, he forgot nothing that might persuade d' Almada, that it was neither Courage, nor want of Resentment against the Spaniards, which had kept him from agreeing to the Proposal as soon as he had made it.  
However, d'Almada did not dare to rely on his Oaths and Assurances, but was mightily disturbed at this Accident; And keeping a watchful Eye on this Man, he gave notice to the Conspirators of this Adventure. The Alarm was soon spread, and several Reflections were made on the Levity and Inconstancy of this Man; and they began to fear, That the View of Danger, or the Hopes of a Great Recompense, should induce him to prove Treacherous in spite of all their Care for Prevention. On this Consideration they resolved to defer the Execution of their Plot, and obliged Pinto to write to his Master to forbear till he received farther News from them. But Pinto, who very well knew of what Importance it is to defer the Day in Matters of this Nature, writ privately to that Prince to have no Regard to his Letter, as proceeding only from a Panic Fear in the Conspirators, which would certainly vanish before the Messenger could arrive at Villaviciosa.  
And so it happened; for the next Morning finding every one continue unshaken, they began to be ashamed of taking so hot an Alarm; and he who was the chief Cause of this Uneasiness being a little better settled (either by a greater Generosity of Temper, or Apprehension of the bad Consequence of accusing so many Great Men) they resolved to adhere to the Day first agreed on. But scarce was this Difficulty over, but another arose, which did not create less Disquiet amongst them.  
Pinto had taken Care to place divers of the Conspirators about the Palace to observe all that passed. These, as they appeared to walk idly up and down, the Night before the Execution, which was to begin with the Death of Vasconcellos, saw that Minister Embark on the Tago.  
None besides the Conspirators could have drawn any Conclusion from this, since a Thousand several Occasions, in which they had not the least share, might carry him over the River. But their Jealousy was so great, that an Alarm was instantly spread amongst them. They immediately concluded this Crafty, Politic Minister, who had his Spies in every Corner, had discovered something of their Plot. They made no Doubt his going over the Water was with design to send some of the Troops which Quartered in the Neighbouring Villages, into the Town. The Images of the most terrible Punishments, and the Horrors of Death presented itself to their Imaginations; they fancied their Houses surrounded with Officers of Justice; and some began to think of flying into afric or England to escape the Cruelty of the Spaniards. They passed away part of the Night under these terrible Apprehensions, as it were between Life and Death, when some of the Conspirators, who kept about the Court, came to inform them, That the Secretary was returned with Hautboys Sounding before him, he only having been at an Entertainment on the other side of the Water. This News put an End to all their anxious Thoughts, and made them all joyful; and so each Man departed, being well assured there was nothing stirring in the Palace, and that all there slept in a profound Security, not once dreaming of the next Day's Action.  
It was very late when they parted; and from that time, to the Minute of the Execution, there were but a few Hours of Night, notwithstanding a considerable Accident happened in that Space; which shows us how full of Uncertainty and Hazard all Erterprises are, where the Fear of Punishment, or the Hope of Reward, may tempt Men to be Treacherous and Faithless. George melo, Brother to the Master of the Horse, most commonly lodged at the House of one of his Relations, in one of the Suburbs, at a small Distance from the City. This Gentleman thought that the Minute of the Plot breaking out being now at hand, his Relation, who had for a long time been his intimate Friend, might justly reproach him if he should conceal a matter of that Importance from him, in which the other was equally concerned with himself for the Common Good of his Country: That he could easily engage him in the Conspiracy, and bring him with him to the Rendezvouz. Upon this Consideration, as soon as he was returned to his Lodging, he goes up to his Kinsman's Chamber, and taking him into his Closet, communicates the Enterprise to him, urging him to join with so many Worthy Persons, and to behave himself like a Man of Honour, and a true Portuguese. The Other was surprised with so strange a Piece of News; however he strove to show a sort of Joy to find his Country was upon the Point of Recovering its Liberty. He thanked melo for the Confidence he had honoured him with, and assured him, he should esteem it a Happiness to expose his Life, and be admitted to have a share of Danger with so many brave Men in so Just and Glorious a Cause.  
After this they parted to take a Repose of some few Hours; melo was scarcely in his Chamber before he began to Repent of his Excessive Confidence, and to blame himself for having put the Fate of so many Worthy Men into the Hands of a Person he was not entirely assured of. He thought he discovered in his Eyes and Countenance a secret Uneasiness, and the Marks of Surprise and Apprehension at the Prospect of so Dangerous an Enterprise. In short, he was afraid the Fear of Punishment, and the Hopes of a Certain Reward, might prevail with him to make a Discovery.  
Full of these Tormenting Reflections he walked about his Chamber; when hearing a sort of muttering Noise, and several Persons talking low, he opened his Window to hear what they said: And by the Help of a Dim-light he discovered his Kinsman at the Door, ready to mount on Horseback. At this being fired with Rage, he soon came down; and running with his drawn Sword at him, demanded, What made him out of Doors at that time of Night? What his Business was, and whither he was going? The other being exceedingly surprised, endeavoured to give several indifferent Reasons; but melo threatening to kill him, constrained him to return again into his Chamber, and took the Keys along with him, and kept him under his Eye till the Time of Action, and then brought him with him to meet the other Conspirators.  
At length the Day was come when the Event was to determine whether the Duke of Braganza deserved the Title of King, and Deliverer of his Country, or that of Rebel and Enemy of the State.  
The Conspirators came early to the House of Dom Miguel d' Almeida, and the other Gentlemen, where they were to Arm themselves. They all appeared there with so much Resolution and Confidence, they seemed to go to a certain Victory. It was remarkable, that in so great a Number of Clergymen, Citizens, and Gentlemen, all acted by different Interests, not one Man out of the whole Number failed in his Word and Honour: Every one was as impatient for the Moment of Execution, as if he had been Chief, and Author of the Enterprise, and expected the Crown for the Recompense of the Dangers which he exposed himself to. Divers Ladies coveted a share in this Glorious Exploit; and History has preserved the Memory of Dona Philippe de Villenas, who Armed both her Sons with her own Hands; and after she had put on their Cuirasses, Go, my Children, says she, put an End to Tyranny, and Revenge yourselves of your Enemies; and be assured, that if your Attempt fail of Success, your Mother will not survive one Moment the Misfortune of so many brave Men.  
All being thus Armed, made their way to the Palace, and divers of them went in Chairs to conceal their Number and Arms. They divided themselves into four Bodies, as was agreed, waiting with a great deal of Impatience till the Clock struck Eight, which was the precise Moment of Execution. Never did Time seem so long; the fear of having their Number observed, or that the early Hour they appeared before the Palace, might give the Secretary any Suspicion, made them very uneasy. At length it struck Eight a Clock, and Pinto having fired a Pistol, they all took the Signal.  
Each Man charged briskly in the Post assigned him, Dom Miguel d' Almeida, with his Party, fell on the Germane Guard, who being unprovided, and destitute of Arms, were soon defeated, and that almost without making any Resistance.  
The Master of the Horse, melo his Brother, and Dom Estevan d' Acugna attacked the Spanish Company, which lay before that part of the Palace which is called the Fort. In this he was sustained by those Townsmen who were concerned with him. These Men, with their Swords in their Hands, forced the Corpse de Garde where the Spaniards were retrenched. But none made a more considerable Figure than a Priest of the Town, who marched at the Head of the Conspirators, with a Crucifix in one Hand, and a Sword in the other, exhorting the People to cut their Enemies in Pieces, and charging the Spaniards himself with the utmost Fury. All fled before him; for appearing Armed, with an Object that Religion teaches us to revere, no Person dared to hurt him. Thus, after a slight Resistance, the Spanish Officer and his Soldiers were forced to submit, and save their Lives, by crying as the rest did, God save the Duke of Braganza, King of Portugal.  
Pinto having thus made his way to the Palace, put himself at the Head of those who attacked the Apartment of Vasconcellos. He marched with so much Assurance and Resolution, that happening to meet one of his Friends, who asked him, trembling, where he was going with that number of Armed Men, and what he was about to do. Nothing, replied he smiling, but to dethrone a Tyrant, and restore a lawful Prince.  
In entering the Secretary's Apartment they met Francisco Soarez d' Albergeria, the Civil Lieutenant 
* Corregidor de Civil.  who was just going out of his Lodgings. This Magistrate thinking the Tumult only proceeded from a quarrel, offered to interpose his Authority, to end the Fray. But hearing them cry on all sides, God save the Duke of Braganza, he thought the Honour and Duty of his Place obliged him to cry, God save the King of Spain and Portugal, which cost him his Life, one of the Conspirators shooting him instantly dead, proud to have this occasion to punish his ill-timed Loyalty.  
Antonio Correa, first Commissioner of the Secretary, ran out upon the first Noise. This Man was the common Instrument of his Cruelties; and after the Example of his Master, treated the Nobility with great Contempt, Dom Antonio de Menezes, plunged his Dagger in his Breast. This Blow could not make the Wretch sensible his Power was at an End, but imagining in this Assault they had mistaken him for another, he turned in a Rage to Menezes, crying, Dogs, How dare you strike at me: The other without replying, redoubled his Thrusts, and laid him on the Ground, weltering in his Blood. However, these Wounds did not prove Mortal, and he escaped at that time, to lose his Life after with more Ignominy, by the Hands of the common Executioner.  
The Conspirators having thus treated the Commissary, who had stopped them for a small while on the Stairs, forced into the Secretary's Chamber. He had then with him Diego Garcez Palleia, a Captain of Foot, who seeing such a multitude of People enter Armed and enraged mistrusted a design on the Life of Vasconcellos. Tho' he had no obligation to that Minister, the generosity of his Temper made him throw himself out of the Door, with his Sword in his Hand, to dispute the Entry of the Conspirators, and give the Secretary time to make his Escape, but receiving a Hurt in his Arm, and being disabled from holding his Sword, and oppressed by the Multitude, he threw himself out of a Window, and had the good Luck to escape with Life.  
Immediately the Conspirators rushed in a Crowd into the Secretary's Lodgings, they searched for him every where, overturned the Beds, opened the Coffers, and every one was eager to have the Honour of the first Blow.  
However, all this while he was not where to be found, and the Conspirators were reduced to Despair, and enraged to think he should thus escape their Vengeance, till an Old Woman Servant being threatened with Death, pointed to a Wall in which several Arms were hid, and here they found him buried in Papers.  
The Consternation he was in at the apprehension of immediate Death, which he saw before him, would not suffer him to speak the least Word. Dom Rodrigo de Saa gave him the first shot with a Pistol, after which the rest of the Conspirators stabbed him, and threw his Body out of the Window, crying, The Tyrant is dispatched, God preserve our Liberty, and Dom John, King of Portugal.  
The Crowd about the Palace, seeing them throw out the Body, received it with great Shouts and Acclamations. Every one offered some Indignity to the lifeless Trunk, as if by this means they hoped to revenge the Oppression of their Country, and give a Blow to Tyranny.  
This was the Fate of Michael Vasconcellos, a Portugueze by Birth, but an Enemy to his Country, and a Spaniard by his Inclination. He had by Nature an admirable Genius for Business, was a Man of great Ability and Application, of a marvellous Industry, fruitful in Inventing new Methods of drawing Money from the People, and, by consequence, void of all Pity, Inflexible and Rigorous, even to Cruelty: He had no regard to Kindred, Friends, or other Considerations: No Man had any Ascendant over him, he was insensible to all Pleasures, and incapable of being touched with any Remorse of Conscience: He had heaped together immense Wealth, by his Place, part of which was plundered in the Heat of the Sedition, the People pretending to do themselves Right for the Damages they sustained during his Ministry.  
Pinto, without losing Time, marched to join the other Confederates, who were ordered to make themselves Masters of the Palace, and seize the Person of the Vice-Queen: He found this was done already, and that all Parts of their Design had been crowned with equal Success. In short, those who were appointed to attack the Apartment of the Princess, presenting themselves before the Gates, and the furious Multitude threatening to set fire to them, if they did not forthwith open them, the Vice-Queen, attended with her Maids of Honour, and the Archbishop of Braga, presented herself at her Chamber-Door, flattering herself that her Presence would appease the Nobility, and oblige the People to withdraw. Gentlemen, said she, advancing towards the principal of the Conspirators, the Secretary has justly drawn on himself the Odium of the People, and your Indignation, by his haughty and insolent Carriage; and now his Death has delivered you from so hateful a Minister, methinks your Resentment ought to be satisfied? Consider, Gentlemen, these Disorders may as hitherto be imputed to your Hatred against the Secretary; but if you persist any longer in this Tumultuous manner, you will be guilty of Rebellion, and render me unable to make any Defence for you to the King.  
Dom Antonio de Menezes, replied, That it was a Folly to think, that so many People of Rank had appeared in Arms to take away the Life of a Wretch, who ought to have lost it by the Hands of the common Hangman; That they were met together to restore the Duke of Braganza to a Crown, that rightfully belonged to him, and had been usurped by Strangers, and they would sacrifice their Lives with Pleasure, to replace him on the Throne. She was about to reply, and interpose the King's Authority, but d' Almeida fearing that any longer Parley might abate the Heat of the Conspirators, interrupted her, telling her in short, Portugal owned no other King than the Duke of Braganza, and the Conspirators immediately gave a shout, each striving to outvie the other, God save Don John, King of Portugal.  
The Vice-Queen seeing the Torrent had broke all bounds, thought she should find more Obedience in the City, and that her Presence would have more Influence on the People and Townsmen, when the Conspirators were not there to encourage them. But as she offered to go down, Don Carlos Norogna entreated her to keep in her Chamber, assuring her she should be served with the same Respect, as if she had still the Command of the Kingdom, telling her, He did not judge it by any means convenient, to expose the Person of so great a Princess to the Insults of the Multitude, who were all in Tumult, and full of Zeal for their Liberty. She soon understood she was his Prisoner, and vexed, demanded in a disdainful manner, And what can the Mobb do to me? To which Norogna replied, in a very great Passion, Nothing, Madam, but throw your Highness out of the Windows.  
The Archbishop of Braga was incensed at these words of Norogna, and snatching a Sword from a Soldier near him, attempted in an outrageous manner to throw himself through the Conspirators, to kill him, and revenge the Affront done to the Vice-Queen; but Dom Miguel d' Almeida embracing him, conjured him to consider the danger to which he exposed himself, and taking him aside by force, told him, his Life had not cost nothing: That he had had a great deal of difficulty in obtaining it, from the Conspirators, to whom his Person was odious enough, that he had no farther need to exasperate them by a Piece of Bravery so ill-timed, and so little agreeable to a Person of his Character. By this means he was persuaded to withdraw, and dissemble his Passion, hoping Time would give him a more favourable occasion of showing his Resentment, and his Devotion to the Interest of Spain.  
The rest of the Conspirators secured the Spaniards, who were in the Palace or the City: They seized on the Marquis de la Pueiba, Major domo to the Vice-Queen, and eldest Brother to the Marquis de Leganez, Dom Didaco Cardevas,— Major-General, Dom Fernant de Castro, Intendant of the Marine; the Marquis de Bainetto, Gentleman Usher to the Vice-Queen, and several Sea-Officers who were in the Port. All this was done with as little Disturbance as if they had been apprehended by Orders from the King of Spain. No Man stirred to assist them, and themselves were not in a Condition to resist, being for the most part taken in their Beds.  
In the next place, Antonio de Saldania, at the Head of his Friends, with a vast Crowd following him, went up to the sovereign Chamber of Justice; He made a short Speech to the Company, displaying the Happiness of Portugal, that now had regained her Natural Lord: telling them, That Tyranny was now at an End: That the Laws would be reestablished, and Justice have its ancient Course, under the Government of so Wise and Just a Prince. This Speech was received with a general Applause, and answered by loud Acclamations; and all Decrees made in the King of Spain's Name were changed, and styled, By the Authority, and in the Name of Dom Juan, King of Portugal.  
Whilst this Gentleman obliged the Chamber of Justice to own the Duke of Braganza for their King, Dom Gaston Contingno set free those whom the Severity of the Spanish Ministers had confined. These poor Men passing in one Moment from a gloomy Dungeon, and the continual fear of Death, to the delightful view of the Liberty of their Country, transported with Gratitude, and dreading the return of their Chains, made up a new Company, who did not show less Ardour to establish the Throne of the Duke of Braganza, than the Body of the Nobility, who form the first Design.  
In the midst of this general Gladness, which the Success of the Enterprise gave the Conspirators, Pinto, and several of the Chief were extremely uneasy. The Spaniards were still in the Citadel, from whence they could batter the Town, and soon give them occasion to repent of their hasty Joy: Besides, this was a Port where the King of Spain could re-enter the City at pleasure; therefore thinking they had done nothing till they were Masters of the Place, they went to the Vice-Queen, and demanded an Order from her for the Governor to put that into their Hands.  
She rejected the Proposition with Scorn, reproaching them with their Rebellion, and ask them disdainfully, if they intended to make her an Accomplice. D' Almeida, mad at her Refusal, all on Fire, and his Eyes sparkling with Rage, swore that if she did not sign this Order, without farther delay, he would instantly stab all the Spaniards they had in Custody. The Princess, surprised at the Passion of the Man, and fearing so many People of Quality might lose their Lives, thought the Governor knew his Duty too well to pay Obedience to an Order which he must needs see was extorted by Force, and upon this Consideration she Signed it, but this had a very different Effect from what she imagined. The Spanish Governor, Dom Lovis del Campo, a Man of small Resolution, seeing so many of the Conspirators in Arms, and followed by a vast Crowd of People, who threatened to tear him and the whole Garrison in pieces, if he did not instantly Surrender, was glad to come off so cheaply, and have so good a pretence to cover his Cowardice, surrendered the Citadel, and tamely delivered it into their Hands. The Conspirators having thus secured all sides, dispatched away Mendoza and the Master of the Horse to the Duke of Braganza, to carry him the News, and to assure him from the City, that there was nothing wanting to complete their Joy, but the Presence of their King.  
However, this was not equally desired by all Persons. The Great Men of the Kingdom could not see his Elevation without a secret Envy, and most of the Nobility, (who had no share in the Conspiracy) were silent, waiting for the Issue before they would declare their Sentiments. Nay, some proceeded so far as to question, whether that Prince would own an Action which would infallibly have such terrible Consequences. Above all the rest, the Creatures of Spain were in a strange Consternation, not a Man of them daring to stir, for fear of irritating the People, furious with their new Liberty, and every one kept himself close at Home, till Time should show what they had to Fear or Hope from the Designs of the Duke of Braganza.  
But his Friends, who were well informed of his Intentions, pursued their way. They met at the Palace to give Orders, till their New Master should arrive, and unanimously declared the Archbishop of Lisbon, Precedent of the Council, and Lieutenant-General for the King. He excused himself at first, representing to them, that the present State of the Kingdom required a General, rather than a Man of his Character, in such a Post. But at length pretending to comply with the Importunity of his Friends, he consented to take upon him the signing the Orders, provided the Archbishop of Braga were appointed for his Colleague in the management of Business, and all Dispatches till the King's Arrival.  
By this Device, that crafty and politic Prelate hoped, under Colour of sharing an Authority with him, to render the other an Accomplice and Criminal in the Eyes of the Spaniards, if he accepted the Offer; or in case he refused, to ruin him with the King, and render him Odious to the People, and all Portugal, as a declared Enemy of that Kingdom.  
The Archbishop of Braga perceived the Snare laid for him, but being wholly devoted to the Spaniards, and in the Interests of the Vice-Queen, he refused peremptorily to have any share in the Government. So the Archbishop of Lisbon had it alone, and Dom Miguel d' Almeida, Pedro Mendoza, and Dom Antonio d' Almada were appointed as Counsellors of State to assist him.  
One of the first Cares of this Governor, was to seize the three great Spanish Galleons in the Port of Lisbon. For this purpose several Barks were fitted out, into which the Youth of the City threw themselves: They discovered an eager desire to gain Honour in this Exploit, but little Opposition was made, the Officers and greatest part of the Soldiers being seized in the City, at the Time when the Conspiracy broke out.  
The same Evening he dispatched Couriers to exhort the People to give Thanks to God for the Recovery of their Liberty, with Orders to the Magistrates of each City to proclaim the Duke of Braganza, King of Portugal, and secure all the Spaniards they could find. In short, he made all Preparations at Lisbon, for the magnificent reception of their new Master. The Archbishop gave notice to the Vice-Queen, that it would be convenient she should leave the Palace, and make room for the King and his Household, and ordered an Apartment to be prepared for her in the Royal House of Xabregas, at one end of the Town. The Princess left the Palace as soon as she received this Message, but with a haughty Air, not speaking one word, and past through the City thither. And now, far from a Crowd of Courtiers attending her, she had scarce any of her Domestic Servants with her, only the Archbishop of Braga, steady to her Interests, gave her public Marks of it on this Occasion, at a time when he could not do it without an apparent hazard of his Life.  
In the mean time the Duke of Braganza endured great Convulsions of Mind, reflecting on his uncertain Destiny, and at once his Breast was filled with all the various Images with which Hope can flatter, or Fear torment a doubtful Mind. The distance of Villa Viciosa, which is thirty Leagues from Lisbon, prevented his being informed of what passed so soon as he earnestly wished. All he knew was, that his Life and Fortune lay at Stake, and that Critical Minute must decide his Fate. He had resolved at first, as was noted above, to raise all the Cities under his Dependencies, but after he judged it better to expect News from Lisbon, and act his Part conformably to what should pass there.  
There only remained the Kingdom of Algarba, and the City and Citadel of Elvas, which he could retire to, if Success failed in the Capital City; and if the Plot should miscarry, he thought he should easily excuse himself from having a share in it, at a Time when the Spaniards would be glad to have him Innocent.  
He had planted several Couriers on the Road to Lisbon; and tho' he expected News every Hour, he had past the whole Day, and a great part of the Night in disturbance, till at length Mendoza and melo, with extreme diligence, arrived at Villa Viciosa. They threw themselves instantly at the Prince's Feet, and by this respectuous Action, and the Joy which shone in their Face, they discovered to him, sooner than they could by any Expressions, that he was King of Portugal.  
They would have given him an exact Account of the Success of their Enterprise; but the Prince, without giving them Time to enter into the particulars of this Affair, conducted them, with some Impatience, into the Duchess' Apartment. These two Lords complimented her in the same manner as if she had already been upon the Throne, and assured her of the Hearty Wishes of her Subjects, and as a Mark they owned her for their Sovereign, they treated her with the Title of Her Majesty, which was the more agreeable, since the Kings of Portugal, before that Time, had only taken that of Highness.  
It is easy to judge how mighty was the Joy of the Prince and Princess, if we reflect on the great uneasiness they were freed from, and the high Station they were raised to. The Castle resounded with Acclamations, and the News spread itself every where in a Moment. And the same Day he was proclaimed King of Portugal, in all the Cities of his Dependences. Alphonso de melo did as much in the City of Elvas, whole Crowds came in to pay their Duty to their new King; and probably these first Homages, tho' paid in a confused and disorderly manner, did not less please that Prince, than those after on a Public Day of Ceremony.  
The King set forward for Lisbon, with the same Equipage, which seemed designed for the Court of Spain. He was accompanied by the Marquis de Ferrara, his Kinsman, the Count de Vimiosa, and a great number of Persons of Quality which met him there.  
He left the Queen, his Wife at Villa Viciosa, to keep the Province firm to his Obedience. He found the Ways lined on both sides, with an infinite number of People, which flocked to see him, and had the pleasure to hear the Shouts of the People, wishing his Prosperity, and loading the Spaniards with all the Curses they could invent. The whole Body of the Nobility, the Great Officers of the Crown, and the first Magistrates, went out in several Bodies to receive him, at a great distance from Lisbon, and he entered the City, amidst the Acclamations and Applause of the People, followed by a numerous and magnificent Court, filled with Joy.  
At Night were several Fireworks in divers public Places of the Town. Each Citizen had one before his Door, and the Windows shone with an infinity of Candles and Flambeaux, that the whole City seemed one Flame, which made a Spaniard say, That Prince was very Fortunate, to gain so fair a Kingdom for a Bonfire.  
The Insurrection at Lisbon was instantly followed by the General Revolt of the whole Kingdom, and the Revolution was so speedy and general, that each City seemed to have a Plot ripe for Execution, after the Example of their Capital. Couriers arrived hourly with Advice, that Cities, and entire Provinces had expelled the Spaniards, and submitted to the King. The Governors of the other Places had not more Resolution than him of Lisbon, and either for want of Troops, or other Warlike Provisions, or for want of Courage they went off shamefully, and for the most part without once Firing. Every one feared the Fate of Vasconcellos, and nothing appeared so terrible as an enraged Multitude. In short, they fled like so many Criminals escaped out of Prison, and not one Spaniard was to be seen in the whole Kingdom, except those who were detained; and all this in less than a Fortnight's Time.  
Dom Fernand de la Cueva, Governor of the Citadel of Sir Juan, at the Mouth of the Tago, was the only Person who made some resistance, and pretended to keep the Place for the King his Master. This Garrison, composed only of Spaniards, and commanded by brave Officers, made a vigorous Opposition, upon the first Approaches of the Portugueses. To reduce this Place, they thought it necessary to Besiege it in Form; and for this purpose brought their Canon down from Lisbon; the Trenches were opened, and they made their Advances as far as the Counterscarp, notwithstanding the continual Fire, and frequent Sallies of the Besieged; but a Treaty being the safest and shortest way to gain the Place, the King (in fine) made the Governor such advantageous Offers, that he had not Power to stand out any longer. He was dazzled with the great Sums offered, and having a Commend of the Order of Christ, which the King promised to confer on him. In short, the Articles were agreed on, and the Place Surrendered, notwithstanding the endeavours of the Officers to the contrary, who refused to Sign the Capitulation: Of this number was Dom Rodrigo de Cha lon, a young Gentleman of Andalusia, of great Valour, who commanded a Spanish Terce in that Place, and offered to hold out three Weeks longer, till they should receive Aid from Spain, which they had Intelligence were put to Sea, under the Command of the Duke of Maqueda.  
The King thought it best not to defer his Coronation any longer, to confirm his Authority, and render his Person more August to the People. The Ceremony was observed on the 15th of December, with all possible Magnificence. The Duke d'Aveiro, the Marquis d' Villareal, the Duke de Camino his Son, the Count de Monsano, and the rest of the Great Men of the Kingdom assisted at the Solemnity. The Archbishop of Lisbon, at the Head of his Clergy, accompanied by several Bishops, received him at the Gate of the Cathedral, and he was solemnly acknowledged as King of Portugal by all the States of the Kingdom, who took the Oath of Fidelity to him.  
A few Days after the Queen arrived with a numerous Train. The whole Court went a great way out of Town to meet her; The Officers who were appointed to compose her Household were gone before, and the King himself went out of Lisbon to receive her. This Prince omitted no Magnificence which might become his new Dignity, or might give the World a Mark, how much he thought she contributed to place the Crown on his Head. It was remarkable, that in so great a Change she was not in the least embarassed, but supported her new Character with so much Grace and Majesty, that she seemed born in a Throne.  
Thus was that great Enterprise happily finished, which may be accounted a Miracle, considering the vast number, and different Characters of Persons entrusted with the Secret. No Cement could ever have made so firm an Union, but that Hatred to the Spanish Government, an Antipathy as ancient as the Monarchy itself, arising from the perpetual Wars, frequent between Neighbouring States, and after fomented by the Concurrence of both Nations in discovering the Indies, and their Difference in matters of Trade.  
The News of the Revolt was soon brought to the Court of Spain. The Minister was enraged to find all his Measures broken, and so fair a Kingdom lost beyond all hopes of retrieving. The King, his Master, had no occasion for new Business: He found Difficulties enough to defend himself against the united Arms of France and Holland; but above all, the Revolt in Catalonia was of dangerous Consequence, and created in his Mind a thousand anxious Cares.  
All the Court knew how Things went, and the King was the only Man who remained ignorant, and no one dared inform him, dreading the Displeasure of the Minister, who would never have pardoned an Offence of this Nature. At last, this Affair making too much noise to be concealed any longer, the Conde Duke fearing some of his Enemies should attempt to relate the Matter to his Disadvantage, resolved to disclose it to the King. But knowing the Temper of that Prince, he thought to give this such a Turn, that he should not know the extent of his Loss; and for this end, coming to him with a seeming Openness and Assurance. Sir, says he, I bring your Majesty a piece of good News, Your Majesty is just now become Master of a fair Duchy, and a large Estate. How so? replied the King, all surprised, I shall explain myself, says the Minister, the Duke of Braganza has been lately Giddy, and suffered himself to be seduced by the Populace, and proclaimed King of Portugal. By this Act all his Estate is Confiscated, and Your Majesty may reunite it to Your Revenue; and by the Extinction of that Family, enjoy that Kingdom, without fearing any Disturbance for the future.  
Notwithstanding this Prince was a very weak Man, he was not so dazzled with these magnificent Hopes, but he saw this was no easy matter. But not daring to see with other Eyes than those of his Minister, he only replied coldly, That he hoped he would use all Diligence to suppress this Rebellion, which if let alone might have dangerous Consequences.  
The King of Portugal neglected nothing which might establish his new Greatness. Immediately after his arrival at Lisbon, he named for Governors of the Frontier Places, Men of the most approved Valour, Fidelity, and Experience; all which had Orders to departed straight, with all the Soldiers they could get together; and to use all possible Diligence to put their several Forts in a Posture of Defence. He delivered out Commissions for raising Men, and immediately after his Cororonation, called a Convention of the States of the Kingdom.  
In this Assembly, to prevent all Doubts, he caused his Title to be examined, and, by a solemn Act, was acknowledged to be the True and Rightful King of Portugal, as descended by the Princess his Mother, from the Infant Edward, Son to King Emanuel, to the Exclusion of the King of Spain, who was descended from the same King by a Daughter, who farther was, by the Fundamental Laws of the Kingdom, disabled, by being married to a Foreign Prince.  
He declared to this General Assembly of the States, that he would content himself with his Patrimonial Estate, for the support of his Household, and would reserve the Royal Revenue for the Necessities of the Kingdom, and to make the People relish the sweetness of his Government, he abolished all Imposts, which the Spaniards had laid on them.  
He filled all the most considerable Posts and Employs in the State with those Conspirators which had shown the greatest Ardour in this Revolution. Pinto had no share in this Promotion, the Prince not thinking his Authority well enough settled to place one of his Domestics of a mean Extraction, in any principal Place. Notwithstanding this, his Power with the King and People was not less; and without the Title of a Minister, or Secretary of State, he performed the Office, by the great Confidence the King had in him.  
Having thus given all the good Orders imaginable, within the Kingdom, he bent his Thoughts next to Foreign Princes. He dispatched able Ambassadors to procure himself to be owned, to make Alliances, and raise new Enemies to the House of Austria. He made a League Offensive and Defensive with the Hollanders and Catalonians, and obtained assurance of the Protection of France. The King of Spain discovered his Weakness, by attempting nothing considerable on the Frontiers of Portugal all the Campaign, probably because the Revolt in Catalonia employed all his Strength. All his Attempts were unsuccessful, and his Troops still came off with disadvantage. Some time after News came that Goa, and other Places, under the Dominion of the Portuguese in the Indies, afric, and Peru, had followed the general Revolution of the Kingdom; every thing seemed to promise the King of Portugal a Series of Success, and a Kingdom quiet at Home, and Victorious abroad. But observe the uncertainty of Human Greatness, how this Prince, in the midst of his Prosperities, and the caresses of Fortune, was upon the Point of perishing, and losing at once his Life and Crown by a horrid Conspiracy, silently form in Lisbon, within the Walls of his own Court.  
The Archbishop of Braga was, as I related before, wholly devoted to the Court of Spain, and one of their Ministers in Portugal. He plainly saw he could never hope to be restored till the Spanish Government should be reestablished; besides, he was afraid the King, who seemed at first to have some respect to his Character, in forbearing to seize him with the rest of the Spanish Ministers, might nevertheless do it when his Authority was better settled. But the most potent Motive that put him upon any considerable Action, was his Zeal for the Vice-Queen. He could not endure to see that Princess in Prison in a place where he thought She had a Right to Reign; but above all, he was exasperated to be refused admittance to her, which was denied him, and divers other Persons of Quality, when it was found She only made use of this Liberty to inspire Rebellion into those who resorted to her. This Proceeding seemed to him Tyrannical, and an intolerable Hardship; and he could not but represent to himself, that Princess every Moment demanding her Liberty from him, as a just Return for those Favours he had received from her. These Reflections kindled a Rage in the Breast of this Prelate; and made him resolve to employ all means to express his Gratitude, and Revenge her on her Enemies. And considering it would be difficult to surprise or corrupt the Guards set over her, he resolved to go directly to the Spring, and by killing the King, to restore at once, that Princess her Liberty, and her former Authority.  
Having concluded on this Design, he applied himself to find means to put his Project in execution as soon as possible, fearing he should not long continue in his Place of Precedent of the Palace, and be obliged to retire to Braga. He concluded straight, he must take a different Step from that which, the King had taken. He never hoped to gain the People, by reason of their natural Hatred to the Spaniards; on the other side, the restoring of the King being the Work of the Nobility, it was certain they would never engage in a Conspiracy of this kind, he plainly found he could only apply himself to the Great Men, who were not concerned in this Revolution, and uneasy at the Duke of Braganza's Fortunes. And therefore having first secured Protection of the Minister of Spain, he cast his Eyes on the Marquis of Villareal.  
He represented to that Prince, That the New King being of a timorous and diffident Temper, would lay hold of all Opportunities to ruin, or at least diminish the Greatness of his Family, to secure the Crown to his own Posterity. That He, and the Duke d' Aveiro, both of the Blood Royal of Portugal, had no Employs conferred on them, whilst all Places of Profit and Trust in the Kingdom, were given as a Recompense to a parcel of Seditious Fellows. That all Men of Honour were concerned to see him thus contemptuously used. That he must consume his Life in a mean inactivity, and be buried in the Solitude of his Countryseat. That He ought to consider his High Birth and Fortunes rendered him too Great to be a Subject to so petty a King. That He had lost in the King of Spain, a Master who had several Kingdoms and Governments in his disposal; and was able to give him an Employment suitable to the Greatness of his Condition.  
Seeing this Discourse made an Impression on the Mind of that Prince: He added, That he had Order from the Court of Spain to promise him the Vice-Royalty of Portugal, as the Reward of his Fidelity: However, this was not in any manner the Intention of that Prelate, who aimed at nothing more than the Liberty and Restoration of the Duchess of Mantua: But more powerful Motives were necessary to engage the Marquis de Villareal. The Considerations which the Archbishop laid before him, prevailed with him to be the Head of the Conspiracy, with the Duke of Camino his Son.  
The Archbishop being well assured of these two Princes, engaged the Grand Inquisitor, his intimate Friend. This Man was of great Consequence to the Archbishop's Design, because with him he brought in all the Officers of the Inquisition, a Race of Men which have ever been more formidable to Honest Men, than Rascals, and bear a great sway amongst the Portugese. He laboured to convince him it was his Duty, reminding him of his Oath of Fidelity to the King of Spain, which he pretended he ought not to break in favour of a Rebel: Farther he urged, it could not be his Interest to adhere to the New King, since neither of them could hope long to enjoy their Places, under a Prince who conferred all Employs on his own Creatures.  
He spent some more Months in gaining over more Conspirators: The principal of which were the Commissary La Crusada, the Count d' Armamar, Nephew to the Archbishop; the Count de Ballerais, Dom Augustin Emanuel, Antonio Correa, the same Commissary of Vasconcellos, whom Menezes had given divers Stabs on the breaking out of the Plot; Lorenzo Pidez Carrable, Keeper of the Royal Treasury, all Creatures of the Spaniards, to whom they owed their Places and Fortunes, which they could not hope to retain long, without the return of the Spanish Government.  
The Jews, who are very numerous at Lisbon, and live there, by making an outward show of the Christian Religion, had a share in this Conspiracy. The King had lately refused very considerable Sums, which they had offered him to put a stop to the Proceed of the Inquisition, and to obtain a Permission for the public Profession of their Religion. The Archbishop craftily made use of their Resentment to engage them in this Enterprise. He had private Conferences with several of the Chiefs of the Party, who dreaded to think they had thus unseasonably declared themselves; and by this means exposed themselves to the Severities of the Inquisition.  
This Crafty Prelate improved the Confusion they were in to his Advantage, and immediately assured them of his Protection with the Grand Inquisitor, whom they all knew to be at his Devotion. In the next place, he endeavoured to raise a Jealousy, insinuating, That a Prince who affected Bigotry, would certainly drive them out of Portugal, and promised them Liberty of Conscience, and a Synagogue in the Kingdom, if they would contribute to the Restoration of the late Government.  
So violent was the Passion of the Archbishop, he did not blush to use the assistance of the Enemies of JESUS CHRIST, to dethrone his rightful Prince; and perhaps this was the first time the inquisition ever acted in concert with the Synagogue.  
The Conspirators, after various Projects, at last resolved on this, which was the sense of the Archbishop, and had been agreed between him and the Prime Minister of Spain: That in the dead of the Night, of the Fifth of August, the Jews should set Fire to the four Corners of the Palace; and at the same time to several Houses in different Parts of the City, to keep the People employed in quenching those next their own Dwellings. That the Conspirators should throw themselves into the Palace, under Colour of assisting to extinguish the Fire; and in the midst of that Hurry and Confusion which attends Accidents of this kind, they should thrust in near the King's Person, and so stab him. That the Duke of Camino should, in the mean time, secure the Queen, and the young Princes, just as the Princess of Mantua had before been, as Hostages for the Surrender of the Citadel. That Preparations should be made to fire those Vessels which were in Harbour. That the Archbishop, and the Grand Inquisitor, with all his Officers, should march through the City to appease the People, and prevent any Commotion by the dread of the Inquisition: And that the Marquis de Villareal should take upon him the Government, till farther Orders should arrive from Spain.  
But having no Assurance the People would declare for them, they needed Troops to support this Action. To this end it was agreed to solicit the Conde Duke to send a considerable Fleet on the Coasts, to be ready to enter the Harbour at the Moment the Conspiracy should be put in Action. That upon the first notice of the Success, he should give Orders to all the Troops on the Frontiers to march directly to Lisbon, to make Head against all Opposition.  
But the Conspirators found great difficulty in settling this necessary Correspondence with the Prime Minister. Assoon as the King was informed the Vice-Queen had writ to Madrid, he had placed so strict a Guard on the Frontiers, that no Person could go out of the Kingdom without his express Leave; and it was not judged safe to corrupt the Guards, for fear they should prove Treacherous, and deliver the Letters up, or disclose the Practices used to corrupt them.  
At length being pressed with the necessity of acquainting the Spanish Minister with their Intentions, without which, all the Measures they should take would be vain; and doubtful what way to effect this, they cast their Eyes on a Rich Merchant of Lisbon, who was Treasurer of the Dovane, who, upon the Account of his great Deal in several Parts of Europe, had a Permission to write into Castille. This Man, named Baeze, made a Public Profession of the Christian Religion, but was one of those whom the Portuguese call New Christians, who are suspected to observe in Private the Jewish Rites. They offered him a very great Sum of Money to engage in this Affair. This joined with the Importunity of the Jews, who were in the secret of this Conspiracy, determined him, he accepted their Offers, and undertook to have their Letters delivered to the Conde Duke d' Olivarez.  
He addressed his Packet to the Marquis d' Aiamonte, Governor of the first Frontier Place in Spain, not doubting they were safe as soon as out of the Dominion of Portugal.  
This Marquis, who had a private Interest in the Affairs of Portugal, being nearly Allied to the Queen, surprised to find Letters with the great Seal of the Inquisition affixed to them, and addressed to the First Minister of Spain, instantly opened them, fearing they might contain some Particulars of his Private Correspondence with the King and Queen of Portugal, notwithstanding the late Revolution, but found in them, to his no small Amazement, the Project and Plan of a Conspiracy, which was ripe for Execution, and aimed to destroy him and the whole Royal Family.  
He sent the Packet back to the King of Portugal. His surprise was unspeakable, to find, upon opening the Letters, that Princes nearly Allied to him, a Archbishop, and several of the Chief Men in his Court, who shown the greatest Joy at his Elevation, should so soon Conspire to deprive him at once of his Life and Crown.  
He summoned a Council privately, and some Days after acted according to the Resolutions then taken. The Fifth of August was the Day when the Plot was to be put in execution, about Eleven a Clock at Night, the Particulars of which were set down in the intercepted Papers. The same Day the King ordered all the Troops quartered in the Neighbouring Villages, to march into Lisbon, under a Pretence of a General Review in the great Court of the Palace. He gave privately, with his own Hand, several Billets sealed, to those about him, in whom he most confided, with strict Orders not to open them till Noon, and then to execute punctually, the Orders contained in them. In the next place, taking the Archbishop, and the Marquis de Villareal into his Closet, under pretence of Communicating some Business to them, he secured them without noise, about Noon, and a Captain of the Guards seized on the Duke of Camino, in the Great Square. Those who received the Billets, opening them, found Orders to seize some of the Conspirators, and commit them to such and such Prisons, and to set a Guard on them till farther Orders. These Measures were so well taken, and so punctually executed, that in less than an Hours time, the whole Forty seven were seized, no one having Notice to make his escape.  
The noise of this Plot being spread through the Town, the People flocked to the Palace in great Crowds, demanding the Traitors to be delivered to them. Tho' the King was pleased to see the Affection of his New Subjects; yet this unusual Concourse made him a little uneasy. He feared these popular Tumults might grow frequent, which he looked on as no better than Seditious Assemblies. So having thanked the People for their Concern for his Person, and assured them Justice should be done, he ordered the Magistrates to disperse them.  
However, lest the Heat of the People should abate, who easily pass from the most violent Fury and Rage, to Sentiments of Pity and Compassion, this Prince gave out, the Conspirators had a Design to Assassinate him, and the whole Royal Family, to set the City on Fire, and seize what escaped the Flames as their Plunder: And to prevent all Conspiracies for the future, and to discharge their Vengeance, they had resolved to People the Town with a Colony of Spaniards, and to send the Citizens to the Mines in America, and bury them alive in that Abyss, which had swallowed a World of People.  
In the next place, he appointed Judges out of the Supreme Court of Judicature, for the Trial of the Conspirators; to these he added, two of the Grandees of the Kingdom, upon the Account of the Archbishop of Braga, the Marquis of Villareal, and the Duke of Camino.  
The King ordered the Commissioners not to make use of the Letters which he put into their Hands, if they could Convict the Plotters without them, for fear the Court of Spain should come to know by what means they came to fall into his Hands. But there was no need to employ them to discover the Truth. Baeze contradicted himself in almost all the Questions which were put to him; and this Wretch, on the first Torture, confessed his Gild, and disclosed the whole Plan of the Conspiracy. He owned they had a Design to kill the King; that the Office of the Inquisition was full of Arms, and they only waited the Conde Duke's Answer for the Execution of their Designs.  
Most part of the other Plotters being put to the Question, their Depositions were agreeable to those of the Jew. The Archbishop, the Grand Inquisitor, the Marquis de Villareal, and the Duke of Camino confessed their Gild, to avoid the Torture. The Judges condemned the two last to be Beheaded, and the rest to be Hanged and Quartered, and reserved the Sentence of the Churchmen for the King.  
The King summoned a Council immediately, and told his Ministers, he feared the Punishment of so many Persons of Rank, tho' they were Guilty, might have bad Consequences. That the chief Conspirators being of several of the first Houses of the Kingdom, their Kindred would be so many secret Enemies of the Government, and the desire to revenge their Death, would be the unhappy source of perpetual Plots. That the Death of Count Egmont in Flanders, and of the Guises in France, had both fatal Consequences; that to Pardon some, and inflict a less severe Punishment than Death, would win the Hearts of all Persons, and oblige them, their Relations and Friends, to act by motives of Gratitude. That however his private Opinion was for Mildness, he had assembled them to have their sense, and resolved to proceed as they judged best.  
The Marquis de Ferrara was for having them Executed without delay. He asserted with vehemence, that a Prince on these Occasions, aught to hear nothing but Justice; that Mildness was dangerous, and to pardon Criminals of this kind, would be thought a Weakness in a Prince, proceeding more from a Fear of their powerful Friends, than a natural Goodness: That Impunity would bring the present Government into Contempt, and encourage their Friends to deliver them out of Prison, and possibly to push Matters further. That an Example of Severity was necessary upon his Accession to the Crown, to deter others from the like Attempt. That this Offence was not only against the King's Person, but against the State, and a design to subvert the Government. That he ought to consider more the Justice he owed his People, than his Inclination to Clemency, at a Time when the Preservation of his Person, and the Public Safety, were inseparable.  
All the Council being of the same Opinion, the King yielded, and the Sentence was executed the next Day. The Archbishop of Lisbon interceded for the Life of one of his Friends, and solicited the Queen, with all the Assurance of a Man, who thought nothing could be refused to his Services. But the Queen, who understood very well the necessity of impartial Justice, how much a distinction of this Nature would exasperate the Friends of the rest, only replied, with a Tone which shown her inflexible Resolution. My Lord, the greatest Favour I can grant you, is to forget that you ever spoke to me of this Matter.  
The King fearing to draw the Court of Rome on him, and being willing to make use of the good Graces of the Holy Father, that he might own him as King, changed the Punishment of the Archbishop of Braga, and the Grand Inquisitor, into a perpetual Prison. The Archbishop died of Grief, because his design had miscarried. The Vice-Queen was delivered to the Spaniards; and the first Minister of Spain seeing clandestine ways unable to destroy the King of Portugal, was resolved to attack him by open force. But this too was still unsuccessful. This Prince kept a considerable number of Troops on his Frontier, commanded by the best Generals, and composed of a great number of Foreign Officers and Volunteers, whom his Bounty had drawn into his Service. Besides this, he had the dexterity to make Pensioners in the very Council of Spain, who served him effectually, and disposed Matters so, that those Generals who were ordered to attack Portugal, were never in a Condition to attempt any thing considerable to its prejudice. Thus he reigned seventeen Years, the Delight of his Subjects, and the Terror of Spain. After his Death, the Queen, a Princess of Courage and great Skill in the Affairs of Government, gloriously kept the Crown and Fortune for her Children. She shone with full Splendour on the Throne, during the whole time of her Regency, and shown all those Qualities in their brightest Lustre, which made her one of the most Illustrious Princesses that ever reigned. The Conduct and the Art of Government were her chiefest Care, and her constant Study. She applied herself with great assiduity, to unmask the several Characters, and guests by the most nice and fine outsides, the most concealed Intentions; and if at any time she happened to be deceived, she would trace the several Steps to find the Original Mistake. By her extraordinary Diligence she had attained to great Skill and Judgement; the Spanish 
* Ad haec politicas arts, bonos & malos Regiminis dolos, dominationis arcana, humani latibula ingenii non modo intelligere Mulier, sed & pertractare quoque & provehere tam Naturâ quam Disciplinâ mirifice instructa fuit. Caetan Passar. de Bello Lusitan.  Historians as well as the Portugueze, do her the Justice to own, she could see the naked Hearts of her Courtiers, tho' veiled with the most artful Dissimulation. In short, where there appeared any thing Great or Glorious to attempt, she wanted neither Courage to conquer all Difficulties, or Wit to find means to obtain what she desired; and there was nothing farther to be wished for in this matchless Woman, except a more true Notion of real Greatness, or higher Motives than Fame and Glory.  
The Court of Spain thinking the Regency the most favourable opportunity to regain their lost Power in Portugal, bend the force of their Arms on that Kingdom. The Pensioners of the late King, in the Councils of Madrid, who had hitherto diverted the Storm, were dead, and the Regent had no way left but to prepare for War. She obtained of the Princes, her Allies, the best Generals, and the most experienced Officers. The weight of Affairs did not make any Impression on her. Her Capacity, Wit, and steady Courage were proof against all Adventures. Nothing but the Throne she filled could have ever shown the great Genius of this Princess, wise in her Counsels, impenetrable in her Designs, rigid and inflexible in maintaining every Point of her just Authority. The People had a great Affection to her Government. Fear and Respect kept the Great Men of the Kingdom in a perfect Submission. Never Troops were in better Condition, or better Disciplined: Her Orders were executed as punctually as if she had been at the Head of her Army in Person. Every one knew Offences to the prejudice of the Queen's Affairs were never pardoned. All Men were diligent in doing their Duty: She would know every thing, read all Dispatches, and nothing escaped her Care and Providence.  
To conclude, She put every thing in so good Order, in the time of her Regency, that King Alphonso, her Son, upon his entering into the Government, found the Kingdom in a Condition to maintain a War against Spain, with Advantage, his Generals won great Battles, and ever beat their Enemies; so that some time after the Abdication of that Prince, Spain, wearied with so fruitless and expensive War, was constrained to desire a Peace of Dom Pedro, his Brother, now reigning, and own him Rightful King of Portugal, and that Crown, independent.  
FINIS.   

ERRATA.  
PAge 4. line pen. deal then. p. 6. for Moguel, r. Miguel. p. 11. after the Crown, insert, were not Criminal. p. 16. for Ozono. 1. Ozorio.   

MEmoirs of the most Material Transactions in England, for the last Hundred Years, preceding the Revolution in 1688. By James Wellwood, M. D. Physician in Ordinary to His Majesty, and Fellow of the College of Physicians, London.  
Printed for Tim. Goodwin, at the Queen's-Head against St. Dunstan's-Church in Fleetstreet.