PRINCE rupert's DECLARATION TO THE KING OF PORTUGAL.  
WITH The ANSWER thereunto, in Defence of the Parliaments Proceed With a Relation of what passed between the two Fleets on the River of LISBURNE.  
Sent up in a Letter from Captain Thorowgood Captain of the ADMIRAL.  
LONDON, Printed for George Whittington at the Blew-Ancor, near the Royal Exchange in Cornhill, 1650.   

The DECLARATION of Prince Rupert, to the KINGDOM of PORTUGAL. Concerning the coming in of the English Fleet, of the Parliament of England into the River and Port of LIX.  
ALthough the most insolent, and horrid proceed of the Rebel's party in England, commonly known by the name or notion of Parliamentarians; whereas (in truth) they are nothing else, but tumultuous, factious & seditious Soldiers, and other disorderly, disobedient & refractory persons conspiring together, and retaining nothing of the ancient form and Government of lawful Parliaments, might be a sufficient notice to awaken all Christian Princes, seriously to attend the aims & designs of those pernicious Conspirators, lest the fire now kindled in England may (perchance in a short time) come to their own doors; especially if these circumstances following be duly reflected on.  
That these persons have not only from time to time for many years past, taken up Arms, and in a hostile manner made War upon their Sovereign Lord and King; but having by certain Wiles, and false devices got him into their possession by an unheard of, and unparallelled example, (under colour of Justice) cut off his Head, as if he had been a person subject to the Orders and Decrees of an enraged multitude.  
That after the death of their Sovereign Lord and King, they have by public vote, and so fare as in them lies, dethroned his undoubted Son Heir, and Successor, of all access to his hereditary right in the Crown, and by an Act of Engagement, do daily enforce the People to abjure Kingly Government.  
That they are sworn and professed enemies to all civil and settled Government, both in Church and Commonwealth, and do labour to bring all to a party in both, for that these persons having laid the foundation of their greatness of their power, upon these and such like detestable principles in their own Country, what (may we think) may they attempt in neighbouring Nations, when time and occasion shall serve: yet that which is of a more near relation and concernment to the Kingdom of Portugal, may be sufficiently gathered from other Circumstances here ensuing.  
1. That this Fleet of the Rebels was procured by the solicitation of the Spanish Ambassador now residing in London, and is to remain here, or upon these Coasts, until another Fleet come to join with it, and (whatsoever may be pretended) their design is not merely against our person; and his Majesty the King of great Britain his Fleet under our Command, but to join with the castilian, and to go with him into the straits against the French, and then to come against this Country, as by the confession of the Spanish Ambassador his Secretary, and some of the Council of State of England, to some persons of quality in England it hath been discovered: so although it should so fortune, they should have their ends upon us, and his Majesty the King of great Britain's Fleet under our Command, now remaining in this Harbour of Lisbon, yet there is not any likelihood of an end of their designs against this Kingdom and People; for who will not presume and infer, that this solicitation and Agency, of the Spanish Ambassador, is not to oppose and overthrow his Majesty's Enemies, and who will not believe, but there is some great design, between these people and the Castilians in hand, against the peace and tranquillity of this Kingdom, whereas it is certain, that there came an Agent from the Rebels for Castille, in the Admiral of their fleet, who (if not gone away with the Merchantmen bound for St. Lucas, that came in company with the Fleet) is still aboard the same Ship. If it be replied, that likewise by this Fleet they have sent an Agent to his Majesty the King of Portugal, which may be an argument of their desire to keep an equal Amity with both these Princes. It is answered, that this Agent which now comes to Portugal, was not thought of 3 weeks before the Fleet put to Sea, and was procured by the Merchants of London, as was made known by a Petition they addressed to the pretended Parliament in that behalf; in contriving of which Petition, there was principle actors, two Brothers that lived here (called Bushels) and that still have a Brother living here, who is a person notoriously interressed in the behalf of the Rebels, this Agent is likewise to be maintained by the same Merchants, and the public body of the pretended Parliament, or those who have now the supreme sway of England, (whatsoever further orders may be pretended) have no further Interest in the Agent, than thereby to make his Agency, a Cloak to cover and conceal their designs.  
2. It doth appear by div●rs Letters written fro London to Merchants in this Town, that it was publicly voted in the pretended Parliament, and by the Council of State now ruling in England, that if his Majesty the King of Portugal should receive his Majesty the King of great Britain his Fleet commanded by us, or give liberty for the sale of any goods (surprised by us at Sea) in the Ports of his dominions, they would make War against him, so that if this resolution stand, to what end can their sending of an Agent hither be? unless it be that he may serve as a spy, to hold correspondency with his Brother Agent, that is gone for Spain, and to give him intelligence of such advantages as may be taken for the supplanting of this Realm.  
3. The manner of the coming of this Fleet doth much augment the suspicion of a design in the business, for whereas our being here with a Fleet of his Majesties the King of great Britain, who is an Ally and confederate of this Crown doth by the Laws of the whole world, in all reason and equity challenge a safety and protection, as long as we continue in the Port. For these People to come into the Port with so many Ships of so great strength, under the pretence of assailling us, and to advance in that manner as they did, wanting leave or silence, obtained from his Majesty the King of Portugal for the same, was so highly an audacious Act, as if they held the Law of Nations, and the right of all foreign Princes in as great contempt, as they have held the Laws of their own Country, and the rights of their native King. And it is to be feared, that if the Forts and Castles belonging to his Majesty the King of Portugal, had permitted them to enter, and to have spoiled the Fleet under our Command, there rage would not have ended there, but would have attempted something of the City, and his Majesty the King of Portugal his Ships now lying in the Harbour, that so an entrance might be made for the Spaniard, who now lies upon the Frontiers with an Army, or the King's preparation of shipping to defend his Rights in Brazeele against Hollanders, might be disappointed and beaten down, and perhaps it hath not been without some mystery or design, that at their first entrance, the Lieutenant of their Admiral was sent ashore, and had private meetings and consultations in Bushels house, and that Mr. Taytam and Mr. el, and other Masters of English Ships, entertained in the service of the King of Portugal, should go to and from the Rebel's Ships in the night and other times without the leave or privity of the King, or any Minister of state under him.  
4. Notwithstanding the audacious and insolent attempts of these People (before resit) were repulsed by the Forts and Castles of his Majesty, than King of Portugal: yet what have they since done? they have only retired a little out of the reach of the Castles, and do now block up the very port itself, whereby we do not only lose the privilege and liberty of the Port, (for as long as free ingress and egress is denied, we cannot be said to enjoy the liberty of the Port) but a high affront is done to the whole Nation, in that the principle port of their Kingdom in the very sight of the King and his Court, is thus abused by a Company of declared Rebels, who have not any ri●ht or privilege in Law to make War, and thereby not only that Petition which is due to the Forces of his Majesty the King of great Britain (their Ally and Confederate) is violated, but the Trade and commerce of their own Country in consequence of reason, must needs be dissolved and undone: A thing which the Law of Nations doth not permit to any Sovereign Prince or State in War, with a just enemy in the Port of a common Friend, as by the stories and practice of all Nations, both ancient and modern it may be made appear, and therefore we have much reason to hope, that the Honour of the Portuguez Nation, will not endure such insolency to be committed, by these People, who being Rebels to their Prince, & having in Law no right or privilege in War, are to be deemed and esteemed as Pirates and Sea Rovers, and whatsoever else worse may be, but will hearty and seriously join with his Majesty, the King of Great Britain's Fleet under our Command, for the clearing of liberty of their Port, they assuring to us, that just Protection which we claim, for the vindication of their own Commerce and Trade, the prevention of the disigns of their and our implacable enemies, & to give demonstration to the whole world, how little the insolency of these People is to be endured, that so the peace, amity and correspodency between the Crowns of England and Portugal, may in all things be continued firm, and inviolable, according to the intent and meaning of the Articles and capitulations of peace had and made between them.   

THE ANSWER TO Prince rupert's DECLARATION.  
ALthough the Paper Entitled, The Declaration of His Highness' Prince Rupert, be so full of notorious lies false grounds & unprobable surmises, that it is not likely to produce any other effect, upon serious and intelligent spirits, that know any thing of the state of our affairs, then to move them to a further discovery and contempt of his most Illustrious arrogancy. Yet because there may be many ingenuous men, as well of our own, as the other Nation, who merely through ignorance in matter of fact, may have their judgements much dazzled, by the Authority of such splendid and Majestical impostures, and chief, because the present drift of the Paper, is to raise jealousies between the most renowned King of Portugal, and the Fleet of the Parliament of England; I shall not think it time much misspent, to give some short animadversion upon it, not taking much notice of his filthy and scurrelous Rhetoric, wherewith he endeavours to disfigure the beauty, and actions of that great Council, upon which the name of God is so gloriously written.  
That the Parliament of England for many years past, hath been in Arms against the late King of England, contending for their own most just Rights, and the native Liberties of the People entrusted with them, and which they are bound by all Obligations both humane and divine to maintain and preserve against all the efforts of Tyranny whatsoever, is famously known to the whole world, what issue it hath pleased God to put to that great difference, by delivering up the power and Person of that King into their hands, and what hath fithence been done upon him, and declared against his Son, Heir apparent to those evil Counsels which divided between the Head and Shoulders of his Father, we are in no wise afraid, or ashamed to hear of the most railing accusations that our adversaries can bring against us, will unto us be matter of filling our mouths with the praises of our God, who hath done terrible things in righteousness, for the good of his people, and hath wrought out for them so great salvation, by such unheard of and unparalleled ways. Neither do we take it for any disparagement to us, our Parliament and Nation, that we are so vile in the esteem of this vagabond German a Prince of Fortune, whose Highness is nothing else, but haughtiness, his Principality mere Piracy, and the plurality of his Person, an affectation so singular, that no real Prince can choose but smile at, who after he was cudgeled out of England from his Trade of plundering, did in a short time after, set up at Sea, and was even now ready to put forth out of this Harbour, and to take his pastime, (with the Leviathan) in the great waters, had not this audacious Fleet of Rebels come in the very nick of time, to put an Embargo upon his Highness.  
And truly it is no marvel that he hath ever since been so exceedingly transported with choler, and foams so beastly at the mouth, calling us Rebels, thiefs and professed enemies to all Government, hereby endeavouring to render us (as much as in him lies) odious to all Nations and Princes; especially to the most renowned King of Portugal, as by his whole discourse may appear; the present scope thereof, being to possess his Majesty with apprehensions of some strange design intended by this Fleet against the Peace of his Kingdom.  
To that end his way is, in the first place to make His Majesty believe, that this Fleet was procured by the solicitation of the Spanish Ambassador in London, to remain about this Coast, till another Fleet should come to join with it, and having had their ends upon the sacred person of His Highness and his fleet, to go with the Castilians into the Streits against the French, and then to come against this Country. This likely tale (forsooth) is made good by the confession of the Spanish Ambassadors Secretary, and by the discovery of some of the Council of State, unto some persons of quality in England; and all this must be taken for truth, because he (within whose principality there dwelleth no lie) hath said so. And yet it seems his Highness is loath to venture the issue of this ground, upon the bare credit of that affirmation, and therefore backs it immediately with an argument of congruity, that may not be denied. For who will not believe there is some great design in hand, between us and the castilians, seeing in the same Fleet, there is come an Agent from the Rebels in England to the King of Castille; and at the same time, another Agent unto his Majesty the King of Portugal. Nay rather, who will believe this man to be in his right wits, that thinks by such absurd and ridiculous inconsequencies as this, to put two Nations of so ancient a Confederacy, together by the ears. The folly of it himself eftsoon perceiveth, and so re-enforceth it with many pretty devices of his own making; so that the whole Argument, with the additional strength, being put into a fight posture, stands thus. An Agent from England not thought on, till three Weeks before the coming out of this Fleet, procured by some Merchants in London, among whom the two Bushels (who have a Brother in Lixbon, a great friend of the Rebels) were chief, to be sent thither, and there by them to be maintained, disinteressed from the public body of the Parliament, is arrived here at the same time that another Agent is employed to the King of Spain; ergo, there is some great plot a contriving between the Parliament of England and the Kingdom of Portugal: How true the particulars of this are, I leave to the Gentlemen concerned in it, either to refute, or make themselves merry with; as they think fit.  
But who seethe not that this wild Logic doth stand in need of some bold lie at hand to second it, and they never are without a reserve for such uses. It is nothing with them to devise Letters, to frame Votes, to create Mysteries, and if need be, to work Miracles, even to the transforming of King Taytam into a Round-head. Their study and care is not set much how their devices may be made to look like truth, as how they may be fitted to their purpose. And to their purpose, indeed, it would suit very well at this time, if he could make his Majesty believe, that the Parliament of England is so near (as he most falsely and maliciously affirmeth) unto terms of defiance, and of making war upon him. But to leave him to his own ways (out of which he cannot walk) and to come to a speedy close of this tedious discourse, the plain truth is thus:  
His Highness being not long since beaten out of Ireland (where he had designed the Seat of his Principality, and being now by God's providence shut up in this Harbour (whereby his hopes of making himself great (some where abroad in the wide world) are so suddenly and extremely disappointed) is grown desperate, bestirring himself on every side with his lies, as Ajax in the Tragedy did with his whips, and is become as one that hath altogether lost both his courage and wit, else he would never have adventured to impose such silly gulleries (as he hath done) upon a King and Council so prudent and circumspect, nor would have violated his own Honour so much, as to beg protection, and cry out for help, at the fight of such an inconsiderable company of Roundheads, as we are, and as in his jollity he is pleased to make of us: For what is it else, but an impotency of Spirit, overwhelmed with desperation and fear, that hath moved him to such extreme impatience, to break out into such raving exclamations against our audacious attempt to approach toward his Highness, with such heinous and horrid aggravations of the manner of our advance; and most importunate imprecations of justice and revenge upon us; as if to have assailed his Person and Fleet, had been to trample under foot the Laws of Nations, to over-turn the foundations of all rule and right, and to dissolve the very Bonds of all humane society in the world: Whereas his Highness hath most insolent and outrageously affronted the power and honour of his Majesty, even within the command of his Castles, as is well known; and yet thinks he hath done nothing therein, but what is agreeable to his greatness; yea, the excess and rage of his impatiency and malice against us, is such, and so boundless, that he would fain make his Majesty believe, what is scarce possible for a sober enemy to imagine of us; That our design was not to end in the design of him, and his Fleet; but to proceed on to the seizing of his Majesty's Fleet bound for Brazeel; yea, upon the very City itself: But what ever it be, that the malice or fear of our enemies, either hath, or shall suggest against us, or what art and insinuations soever shall be used by any, to make way to those their wicked and scandalous suggestions, I am confident his Majesty is far from receiving any such impressions, as by them are intended upon him. Neither doubt, but by this time, he is most fully assured, both of the sincere and real affection, and earnest desire of the Parliament of England, after a firm and perpetual League of Amity, with him, and the Nation of Portugal. And also, of the peaceable intentions of this Fleet, and of our innocent behaviour, according to our duty, in prosecution and conformity to the same. And if probabilities may take place, I could wish all unprejudiced men, to consider whether the Portugal may not with very good reason promise unto himself more advantage and security, by confiding in us, who are sent out by the Commonwealth of England, for the protection of trade, rather than in them, who make it their trade to spoil and rob whomsoever they meet, almost without any discrimination; In us, who are only English, the most ancient Allies, and affectionate friends of their Nation, or in that Fleet, whose strength doth most consist of Irish, who have ever been, and still are most passionately, and superstitiously, devoted to the Spanish Nation, and Party. And it is a thing which deserves their serious consideration and examination; That there is among them one Mucknell, a most malicious enemy to the Portugal Nation, who about five years since, being Master of the Ship John, bound to the East-Indies, did most wickedly, and barbarously, betray a Portugal Governor sent for God, with his wife, and kindred, and 60 servants, whom he had taken in at Moseabeck, and afterward inviting him and a great part of his retinue to a feast a shore in the Isle of Joanna, most perfidiously left him there, ran away with his ship, and being two leagues off in the Island, turned the remainder of his company (near about 35. in number) most mercilessly into a small Boat to shift for themselves, having first stripped them of all their gold and jewels, apparel and goods, to a great value. It were easy upon this occasion, to abound in discoveries of that horrid practice of this Generation of men from time to time, but that the world is sufficiently full of the cry of them; and for my part, I take not so much delight in ripping up the villainies of others, as in clearing up our own innocency, together with the plain and honest simplicity of our intentions and resolutions, in pursuance of those commands we have received, and to promote (as much as in us lies) the honourable desires and affections of the Parliament of England, toward the King and Kingdom of Portugal, which are so mainly opposed by our Adversaries, as that, which they perhaps apprehend (if obtained) may prove fatal unto them, and their declining party; but, in all likelihood, cannot but be beneficial and advantageous unto both the Nations.  

Ad. ult.  
March, 1650. Bay of Catiline. SIR,  
BEcause I conceive our Fleet is much looked upon, (though differently,) Some wishing us good success, others contrary, and no doubt but you have various Reports concerning us, as men's affections lead them; I thought good to give a brief Account, what Condition we are in at present, and what hath happened since our Arrival, that so you might be able to report the Truth of our Affairs to them that wish us well, and pray for us. The 10th instant, we arrived in the road of Cascalis, which lieth from the mouth of this River four mile. When we came in, the General sent me ashore with a Merchant, that came along with us, with a Letter to the Governor, giving him to understand from whence we came, and what we were; So soon as I came ashore, I understood, that Pirate Rupert was as yet in the River, any ready to sail, I made no delay, but hasted aboard, to give notice hereof to the General, and Fleet; and before night, the General dispatched my Lieutenant in company of that Merchant, with a Letter to the King of Portugal, intimating our Arrival, and for what, desiring admittance as a friend and Ally: This night came down to us Captain Richard Ell, Commander of a Merchant ship in the River, who informed us of Rupert's strength, consisting of Eleven sail; Their strength you will perceive by the enclosed Scroll. The 11th, being the second day of the week, a Council of War being called, after we had craved Direction from the great God, we fell upon debate of what we should do, and it was quickly resolved on, (nemine contradicente) that the wind favouring us, we should immediately go up to them, and engage forthwith; to this effect, we weighed; our Ship being Admiral, led the way, with the Bonadventure C. John Harris, who was to engage with us, following us, and so the Vice Admiral in the midst, and the Rear-Admiral in the rear; but as we drew near julian's Castle, which standeth upon the Point (the River going up) and hath 100 pieces of Ordnance in it; and over against it, on the South side the River, is another Castle called the Wooden Castle, of very good Force; julian's Castle began to let fly at us, but we kept on our course, until we came almost between the two Castles, where falling calm, we were enforced to come to Anchor, julian's Castle having shot 11 Guns at us, and the Wooden Castle four; yet through God's blessing, they never struck us: we road there 7. days before we came up hither, ever and anon having Messengers from the King, to treat with us about our going away, that so Rupert might get out. But the General and Council of War, desired to know the King's positive answer, whether he would acknowledge us for his friends, or no; in case he would for friends, we desired the privilege of friends, to enter into his Ports, that we might be in safety with our Ships; at last, (not able to do otherwise) he assented that seeing the General and Council of War would not agree to departed, but upon his peremptory Command for us so to do, which he could not do (as desiring to hold all fair correspondency with the Parliament) he was content we should come in to St. Catiline's Bay, if the wind should come out and blow; so the 18. day of March we came into this place, having first engaged our Words, not to use any Act of hostility against Rupert in this Port, unless provoked first by him, or that we have the King's Assent. The 23d day present, there came a Gentleman from the King, intimating the King's desire, to treat with some Person of quality of our Fleet, about our affairs. Upon which, at a Council of War, it was agreed on, That the Vice-Admiral Capt. Moulton should be the man; and to that purpose he had instructions given him, with certain Propositions from the General and Council of War, from which he was not to Reside, viz. First, to demand of the King, Rupert's Fleet, as the proper goods of the Commonwealth, and the rest belonging to several Members of the same. Secondly, in case he would not do this, then to give us leave to fall on them in the Port; Or thirdly, to command both our Fleets out together at a prefixed time, and that if he should neglect, or refuse to go out, that then it might be free for us to come in, and fall on them within: Or fourthly, to give us the Liberty of his Port, to ride where we pleased, for our most advantage, we upon the confession of the 4th, engaging to use no hostile Act against them, unless first provoked thereto by them: And lastly, to give him assurance of our honest Intentions towards himself and Kingdom, notwithstanding the Enemies malicious Calumnies set out in a Declaration of Rupert, upon our Entrance in; The Copy whereof I have sent you, with an Answer to it, by a Gentleman in this Fleet; This night the Vice-Admiral had 4. hours' conference with the Conde de Mica, the Conde de Tores, and the Secretary of State, being those of his Council, he had appointed to receive our Proposals, and to make them known to him, insisting most upon the 2d, 3d, and 4th Proposals, but concluded nothing, promising an Answer by Commissioners of their own, but to this day it is not come. We find the King's Council much for Rupert and his designs, being animated thereto by the Merchants of our own Nation, who are all, except four or five of his Party, and do not stick openly to wish our ruin; yet the King and his Council are very much perplexed, not knowing what to resolve of, having formerly engaged themselves for Rupert; notwithstanding they would seem to satisfy both Parties in their desires, but they discover themselves by their prastises, to adhere most to Rupert. We hope the Parliament will hasten out the other Fleet after us, or some considerable part thereof; we being at present but equal in strength to Rupert, as you may perceive by the enclosed note, that so we may be enabled not only to encounter with the Revolters, but with the French also, whom the Revolters expect here daily, to join with them against us. Pray God there be none that hinder our Fleets coming to relieve us; this is the Sum of our proceed hitherto; thus not having else, I commit you to God, and rest  
Your assured loving friend, C. THOROWGOOD.  
Remember my kind respects to your Father and Mother, and to Lieut. col. Lilburn, etc.  
Captain Allen my quondam prisoner came hither four or five days before us, and brought Rupert and Maurice the Order of the Garter, and is now in the Vice-Admiral with Maurice, it may be our haps to meet with him again.   

A List of Prince RUPERTS Fleet. Prince Rupert General. Guns. Captain Kittleby Admiral, Constant Reformation, 52 Mr Fernes Master of Admiral.  Prince Mawrice [Convertine] Vice-Admiral. 46 Sir John Mince [Swallow] Rear-Admiral. 40 Second Charles, Capt. Marshal Captain. 40 Eustace smith's Ship.  Capt. Goulding, Black Prince. 36 Capt. Langley [A Scot] 30 Capt. Barnily Burly [Rowbuck]  Mr. Hargroves ship.  Capt. Michael, Capt. of the Ship that was Mr jackson's. 30 Sir John Mucknel, in the Mary. 24 The Blackamoor Lady is said to be sold. 18 The Black Knight. 14 Totall 360  
The Parliament of England's Fleet. General Blake. Guns. Capt. Thorowgood, Saint George. 57 Capt. Moulton senior [Leopard] Vice-admiral. 56 Capt. Boddilow [Entrance] rear-admiral. 46 Capt. Harris, Bonadventure. 42 Capt. Bawl [Adventure] Frigate. 40 Capt. Saltingstone, the John. 30 Capt. Benj. Blake, the Assurance Frigate. 32 Capt. Moulton junior, Constant Warwick. 32 Capt. Peacock, the Tiger Frigate. 36 Capt. Pierce, the Providence Frigate. 30 Capt. Wheeler, the Expedition Frigate: 30 Capt. Risen [the Signet] a fireship. 3 The Whelp, a Fireship. 8 The two Katches. 12 Totall 454   
FINIS.