Part 6
Mean while the King of _Portugal_ took all the necessary Measures to confirm his new Authority. As soon as he came to _Lisbon_, he nam'd Governours for every Town of _Portugal_, as much distinguish'd for their Fidelity to him, as for their Experience and approv'd Valour; who immediately, with what Soldiers they could get together, went to take possession of their Command, and to put the Place in a posture of Defence. At the same time recruiting Commissions were given out; and the Solemnity of his Coronation being over, he call'd together the States of the Kingdom: in which, to prevent all the Doubts and Scruples which might rise in the Minds of the People, his Pretensions to the Crown were examin'd, and by a solemn Decree of the States he was acknowledg'd Rightful and Lawful King, as being descended from Prince _Edward_, Son to King _Emanuel_; whereas the King of _Spain_ was only descended from a Daughter of the same King _Emanuel_, who also by the Fundamental Laws of _Portugal_ was excluded the Succession, having espous'd a foreign Prince.
In this Assembly the King declar'd, that he would content himself with his own Estate, and that the usual Royal Revenue should be apply'd to the defraying of the extraordinary Expences, and paying the Debts of the Kingdom. And the better to ingratiate himself with the People, he took off all the Taxes which the oppressing _Spaniards_ had laid upon them.
To all the considerable Offices and Employments he promoted those of the Conspirators, whose Birth and Capacity might give them just Pretensions to it, and who had shewn the greatest Desire of raising him to the Throne. In this Promotion no notice was taken of _Pinto_; the King did not think his Royalty sufficiently confirm'd, to venture at raising one of his Servants, and whose Extraction was but mean. However, the Prince was not in the least unmindful of his Service, and without having the Title of a Minister of State, he had the Authority of one; so great was his Influence over his Master, and such entire Confidence did he repose in him.
Having given all the necessary Orders within the Kingdom, he resolv'd to assure himself of some foreign Assistance in case of necessity, as well by making strict Alliances with all the Enemies of _Spain_, as by raising them new ones. To this end he endeavour'd to persuade the Duke of _Medina Sidonia_, Governour of _Andalusia_, and his Brother-in-law, to follow his Example, shake off the _Spanish_ Yoke, and make himself an independent Prince. The Marquiss _Daiamonti_, a _Spanish_ Nobleman, and related to the Queen of _Portugal_, was to negotiate this Business, the Success of which will be seen in the Sequel of this History.
The King of _Portugal_ made a League offensive and defensive with the _Dutch_; _France_ promis'd him its Protection, and he sent Ambassadors to all the Courts of _Europe_, that his Title might be acknowledg'd by their Princes. But the King of _Spain_ was so destitute of Men, _Catalonia_ employing all his Forces, that he did very little all that Campaign for the Recovery of _Portugal_, and even what he did undertake met with no Success.
Some little time after this, News was brought that _Goa_, and all those other Places which belong'd to _Portugal_, whether in the _Indies_, _Africa_, or in _Peru_, had follow'd the Example of their _European_ Masters, and revolted from the _Spaniards_. Thus was the King flatter'd with the Prospect of a happy Reign, and rejoic'd to see Peace and Tranquillity preserv'd within his Kingdom, whilst his Arms met with Success abroad; little suspecting the Danger which threaten'd his Life and Crown, both which he had almost lost by a cursed Conspiracy, which was form'd even in the midst of that Prince's Court.
The Archbishop of _Braga_, as has before been observ'd, was wholly devoted to the King of _Spain_, during whose Reign in _Portugal_ he had had a great share in the Ministry. He now plainly saw, that he must never hope for any Preferment, unless the _Spanish_ Government could be again introduc'd into that Kingdom; besides, he fear'd that the new King, who out of a tender regard to his Character, had not had him put into Prison with the other _Spaniards_, might alter his Mind, and seeing his Authority once confirm'd, and dreading no longer the Danger of incensing the People, or provoking the Inquisition, might make him share the Fate of those, whose Courage or Politicks 'twas thought might prove prejudicial to the new King's Government, and who had all been depriv'd of their Liberty. But the chief Motive which induc'd him to undertake something for their Cause, was his Affection to the late Vice-Queen: with impatience he beheld that Princess under Confinement, especially in a Place where he thought it was her Right to rule; and his Rage was violently increas'd by the Orders which were given her Guards to admit neither the Prelate, nor any other Person of Quality, the King having been inform'd that she endeavour'd to infuse Sentiments of Rebellion into all those _Portuguese_ who went to visit her; and therefore thought fit to deprive her of that Liberty, which she so palpably abus'd. As just and as necessary as this Proceeding was, the Archbishop call'd it cruel and tyrannick; and as he had some Notions of Gratitude, believ'd himself under an Obligation of doing something for the Liberty of a Princess, who had done so much for him. The remembrance of her past Kindness enflam'd his Soul with Anger, and made him resolve to embrace any Opportunity whatsoever of revenging himself on her Enemies, and delivering her out of their hands. But as he plainly saw it would be impossible either to surprize or corrupt her Guards, he could not think of any surer way than going directly to the Fountain-head, and by the Death of the King to restore her Liberty and Authority both at once.
Being fully confirm'd in this Resolution, he began to think of the speediest Means of putting it in execution, well knowing that he should not long enjoy the Place of President of the Palace, which was not as yet taken from him. He plainly saw that it was in vain to follow the King's Measures, by endeavouring to win the People, and make them join with him; their Hatred to the _Spaniards_ being too deeply rooted in their Hearts. The Nobility, he was assur'd, wou'd not assist him, since by their means the Crown was placed upon the Duke of _Braganza_'s Head: he could therefore only depend upon the Grandees, who with envy beheld one that had been their Equal, upon the Throne. The first thing he did, was to assure himself of _Olivarez_'s Protection and Assistance: after which, he began to work upon the Marquiss of _Villareal_; to whom he represented, that the new King was timorous and diffident, for which reason he sought all opportunities of ruining his Family, lest he should leave a Subject who was capable of disputing the Crown with his Successor: That he and the Duke _d'Aveiro_, who were both of the Royal Blood, were not thought worthy of any Office or Employment; whilst all Places of Trust were fill'd by a company of factious and seditious People: That with indignation the People saw how little he was valued, and were very much troubled to think that a Person of his Quality and Capacity must spend his time at a Country-Seat, and in an inglorious Ease: That one of his Birth and Estate was too great to be the Subject of so petty a Prince as the King of _Portugal_: That he had lost a Master in the King of _Spain_, who only was capable of bestowing such Employments on him as he deserv'd, by reason of the many Kingdoms of which he was Sovereign, and over which he must establish Governours.
Seeing that this Discourse made an impression on the Mind of the Marquiss, he went so far as to assure him, that he had Orders from the King of _Spain_ to promise him the Viceroyalty of _Portugal_, as a Reward of his Loyalty, in case he would assist him in his Design of recovering that Kingdom.
Notwithstanding what the Archbishop promis'd, the thing was very far from his Heart; his chief Aim being to restore the Dutchess of _Mantua_ to her Liberty and former Authority: for the compassing of which, he thought it very lawful to promise what he never intended to perform; and he knew that ambitious Motives were the likeliest to engage the Marquiss _de Villareal_, upon whom his fair Speeches had at last such an effect, that he yielded to his Persuasions, and promis'd that he, with his Son the Duke of _Camino_, would be at the head of the Enterprize.
This Prelate being thus assur'd of these two Princes, made it his next business to engage the Grand Inquisitor, who was his intimate Friend, and than whom no one could be more necessary in carrying on their great Design; seeing that by his means he should also prevail upon all the Officers belonging to the Inquisition, a People more to be dreaded by honest Men than Rogues, and who bear a great sway amongst the _Portuguese_. He endeavour'd at first to alarm his Conscience, by reminding him of the Oath of Allegiance which he had taken to the King of _Spain_, and which he ought not to break in favour of an usurping Tyrant; but finding the Inquisitor a true Churchman, over whom Interest had a greater sway than Conscience, he told him that he must join in the Plot, if he hoped to keep his Place much longer, for that the new King made it his business to give all the Employments to Persons whose Fidelity he could depend upon.
After this, he spent several Months in encreasing the Number of Conspirators, the chief of which were the Commissary _de la Crusada_; the Count _d'Armamar_, Nephew to the Archbishop; the Count _de Ballerais_; Don _Augustin Emanuel_; _Antonio Correa_, that Clerk of _Vasconcellos_, to whom _Menezes_ had given divers Stabs on the first Day of the Revolution; _Laurento Pidez Carvable_, Keeper of the Royal Treasury; with several others, who were the Creatures of the _Spanish_ Ministers, to whom they ow'd their Fortunes and their Places, and which they could not hope to keep long, unless by once more introducing the _Spanish_ Government.
There were also a vast number of _Jews_ who were concern'd in the Plot, and who had long liv'd at _Lisbon_ in an outward Profession of the Christian Faith. These had lately offer'd the King a vast Sum of Money, if he would free them from the Persecution of the Inquisitors, and let them have their Synagogues at _Lisbon_; but the Prince rejected their Offer, and deny'd their Petition. This had thrown the chief of them into a great Consternation, for appearing at the head of the Petitioners, they had made themselves known, and thereby expos'd themselves to all the Torments which the Inquisition could invent.
With these the Archbishop took care to get acquainted, and taking advantage of the Confusion they were in, promis'd them his Protection, which was not to be despis'd, since he had such an Influence over the Grand Inquisitor; but insinuated at the same time, that they were in danger of being banish'd _Portugal_ by the King, who affected very much to be thought a true and pious Catholick: and at the same time promis'd in the Name of the King of _Spain_, that if they would be instrumental to his Restoration, they should have Liberty of Conscience, and Leave openly to profess their Religion.
So violent was the Passion of the Archbishop, that he was not asham'd to make use of the profess'd Enemies of _Jesus Christ_, to drive a _Christian_ Prince from a Throne, which rightfully belong'd to him; and this was perhaps the first time that ever the Inquisition and Synagogue went hand in hand together.
Several Schemes were propos'd, but at last this, which was drawn by the Archbishop, and approv'd of by the first Minister of _Spain_, was agreed upon; That the _Jews_ should set fire to the four Corners of the Palace on the 5th of _August_, and at the same time to several Houses both in the City and Suburbs, that the People might every where be employ'd in extinguishing the Fire; that the Conspirators should all fly to the Palace under pretence of assisting, and that amidst the Horrour and Confusion which this vast Conflagration would cause, some of them should assassinate the King; that the Duke _de Camino_ should seize the Queen and her Children, who might be as serviceable to them in regaining the Citadel, as the Dutchess of _Mantua_ had been to their Enemies; that at the same time there should be Fireworks ready to be play'd off, to set the _Portuguese_ Fleet on fire; that the Archbishop, with the Grand Inquisitor and all his Officers, should march thro the Town, to keep the People in awe, and prevent their coming to the Assistance of the King, so much do they dread the Power of the Inquisition; and that the Marquiss _de Villareal_ should take the Administration upon him, till they had receiv'd Orders from the Court of _Spain_.
But as they had not the least reason to hope that the People would second them, they thought it necessary to make sure of some Troops, and to that end wrote to _Olivarez_ to send a Fleet towards the Coasts of _Portugal_, which should be ready to enter the Port of _Lisbon_ at the time when the Conspiracy should break out; and that there should be some Forces on foot on the Frontiers of the Kingdom, which should be in a readiness to act against any Place, which would not willingly surrender to the King of _Spain_.
But the most difficult part of their Labour was to keep an exact Correspondence with the _Spanish_ Minister: for since the King had been inform'd that the Dutchess of _Mantua_ had sent Letters to _Madrid_, there was such a strict Guard kept upon the Frontiers of the Kingdom, that no one could go into _Castile_ without the King's own Passport; nor did they dare attempt to corrupt the Guards, lest they should reveal what had been offer'd them.
But at last, seeing themselves under an absolute Necessity of acquainting the _Spanish_ Minister with their Design, without which all their Measures would infallibly be broken; they cast their Eyes upon a rich Merchant of _Lisbon_, who was Treasurer of the Custom-House, and who, by reason of his great Trade, had the King's immediate leave to send Letters into _Castile_ at any time. This Man's Name was _Baeze_; he outwardly profess'd the Christian Religion, but was suppos'd to be a conceal'd Observer of the _Jewish_ Law. To him they offer'd vast Sums of Money for his Assistance; which, together with the Persuasions of the _Jews_ who were engag'd in the Conspiracy, prevail'd upon him so far, that he promis'd to take care that their Letters should be deliver'd to the Duke _d'Olivarez_.
To this end he enclos'd the Pacquet directed to the Marquiss _Daiamonti_, Governour of the first Town on the Frontiers of _Spain_, believing his Letters safe, when once out of the Dominions of _Portugal_.
The Marquiss, who was nearly related to the Queen, and was at that time negotiating a Business for the King of _Portugal_, was very much surpriz'd to see Letters seal'd with the Great Seal of the Inquisition, and directed to the first Minister of _Spain_; and beginning to fear that his own Business was discover'd, and notice of it hereby given to _Olivarez_, he open'd them, and found that they contain'd the Scheme of a Conspiracy against the Royal Family, and which was speedily to be put in execution.
Startled at the Contents, he dispatch'd a Courier to the Court of _Portugal_ with the intercepted Letters. It is impossible to express the Surprize of the King, when he saw that three Princes, who were so nearly related to him, with the Archbishop, and several Grandees of the Kingdom, were contriving how to take away his Life, and give his Crown to a Stranger.
He immediately communicated their intended Treason to his Privy-Council, who after a small Deliberation came to a Resolution, which some few days afterwards was executed. The fifth of _October_ was the Day appointed by the Conspirators, and the Time Eleven at Night. That very Morning, about Ten of the Clock, all the Soldiers who were quarter'd in the neighbouring Villages, march'd into _Lisbon_, it having been given out that they were then to be review'd in the Court of the Palace. The King at the same time gave Notes with his own hand to several Officers and others of his Court, which were seal'd up, with positive Orders not to open them till Twelve, and then punctually to execute the Contents.
A little before Noon the Archbishop and the Marquiss _de Villareal_ were sent for to the Palace about some Business, and coming into the King's Apartment, were arrested without the least noise, or any body's knowing it; and at the same time one of the Captains of the Guard made the Duke _de Camino_ a Prisoner. Those who had receiv'd the seal'd Notes having open'd them, found Orders to arrest such a Man, whom they should convey to such a Prison, and not lose sight of him till farther Orders. In short, Matters were manag'd so prudently, that in less than an hour's time the Forty-seven Conspirators were seiz'd, without so much as giving any one of them time enough to escape, or even the least suspicion that their Plot was discover'd.
The News of their intended Barbarity reaching the ears of the People, they came flocking towards the Palace, and in a tumultuous manner demanded the Prisoners, that they might tear them piece-meal.
Tho the King was well pleas'd with the Affection and Loyalty of his Subjects, yet was he a little troubled to see how easily they could be gather'd together, and what mischief they were at such a time able to do. Wherefore having thank'd them for the care which they took of him, and having promis'd that the Traitors should be punish'd according to Law, he order'd the Magistrates to disperse them.
But as he knew that the most violent Passions of an incens'd People will soon grow cool, and perhaps dwindle into Compassion, when they no longer should consider the Criminals as the worst of Villains, who would have destroy'd their King and Country, but as unhappy Wretches, who must shortly suffer an ignominious Death; he took care to publish, that the Conspirators Intent was to assassinate him and all the Royal Family, to set the whole Town on fire, and those who escaped the raging Flames, should have fallen by the Sword of the Rebels: That _Spain_ being resolv'd to have nothing more to fear from the _Portuguese_, would have sent all their Citizens into _America_, to toil like Slaves, and be bury'd alive in those Mines, where so many had already perish'd, and to people the City of _Lisbon_ with a Colony of _Castilians_.
After this the King order'd the Traitors to be brought to their Tryal, and to this end he appointed Judges, which he took out of the supreme Court of Judicature, and to whom he added two Grandees of the Kingdom, upon account of the Archbishop of _Braga_, the Marquiss _de Villareal_, and the Duke _de Camino_.
The King put their Letters, which they had sent to _Olivarez_, into the hands of those who were appointed to prosecute them; but with Orders not to make use of them, if they could by any other means prove them guilty of High Treason, lest the Court of _Spain_ should thereby discover the Correspondence which he held with the Marquiss _Daiamonti_: but there was no necessity of producing them to discover the Truth; for _Baeze_, who was the first that was brought to the Bar, contradicted himself in almost every Question which was ask'd him, and being put to the Torture, his Courage fail'd him, he confess'd his Crime, and discover'd the whole Plan of the Conspiracy. He own'd that their Design was to kill the King, that the Office of the Inquisition was now full of Arms, and that they waited only for _Olivarez_'s Answer to execute their Design.
Most of the other Conspirators were put to the Torture, and their Deposition entirely agreed with _Baeze_'s. The Archbishop, the Grand Inquisitor, the Marquiss _de Villareal_, and the Duke _de Camino_, being unwilling to suffer the Torments of the Question, confess'd their Crime. These two last were condemn'd to be beheaded, the rest of the Lay-Traitors to be hang'd, drawn and quarter'd, and the Sentence of the Ecclesiasticks was refer'd to the King himself. Upon this the King immediately assembled his Council, and told them, that the consequence of putting so many Persons of Quality to death, altho they were criminal, might be fatal: That the chief Conspirators were of the first Families of the Kingdom, whose Relations would be for ever his conceal'd Enemies, and that the Desire of revenging their Death would be the unhappy Source of new Plots: That the Consequence of the Death of Count _d'Egmont_ in _Flanders_, and of the _Guises_ in _France_, had prov'd fatal: That if he pardon'd some of them, and chang'd the Sentence of the others into a Punishment less severe than Death, he should for ever win theirs, their Friends, and their Kindreds Hearts, and bind them to his Service by the Ties of Gratitude: but yet, That notwithstanding he himself was inclin'd to Mercy, he had assembled his Council to know their Opinions, and to follow that which should seem the most reasonable, and the most just.
The Marquiss _de Ferreira_ was the first who spoke, and was for having them executed without delay: he represented, That in such cases as these Justice only ought to be consulted, and that Mercy was most dangerous: That Pardon would seem not so much the Effect of the Goodness, as Weakness of the Prince, or the Fear of their threatning powerful Friends: That if these should go unpunish'd, it would bring the Government into Contempt, and encourage their Relations to deliver them out of Prison, or perhaps to carry Matters farther: That now, at his Accession to the Crown, he ought, by an Example of Severity, to deter others from ever attempting the like. He urg'd farther, That they were Traitors not only to the King, but also to the State, whose present Constitution they had endeavour'd to subvert: That he ought rather to hearken to the Justice which he ow'd his People, and punish these Criminals, than to his own Inclination of forgiving them, especially at a time when his Preservation and the publick Safety were inseparable.
The whole Council being of the same opinion, the King yielded, and the next day Sentence was executed. The Archbishop of of _Lisbon_ being willing to save one of his Friends, came to the Queen, and sollicited her for a Pardon, with all the Assurance of a Man, who thought that nothing could be deny'd him, and that his former Services might claim a much greater Favour. But the Queen, who was convinc'd of the Justice and absolute Necessity of their suffering the Law, and how much a Distinction of this nature would incense the Friends and Relations of the rest, answer'd the Archbishop in few words, but with such a Tone, as made him see it would be in vain to urge his Request any farther; "My Lord, the only Favour I can now grant you, is to forget that you ever ask'd me this."
The King, unwilling to disoblige the Clergy, and especially the Court of _Rome_, who had not as yet acknowledg'd him King, or receiv'd his Ambassadors, would not suffer the Archbishop of _Braga_, or the Grand Inquisitor, to be executed, but condemn'd them to a perpetual Imprisonment; where the Archbishop shortly after died of a violent Fever, a Disease often fatal to State-Prisoners, who for some politick Reason must not be led to open Execution.
Nothing could be equal to the Surprize of _Olivarez_, when this News was brought him; he could not imagine by what means the King of _Portugal_ had discover'd their Design, nor would it ever have been known, had not an Accident happen'd, which made him see that it was the Marquiss _Daiamonti_, who had unravel'd the dark Design, and acquainted the King with it.