particularly forward in expressing his detestation of the Spaniards and
their government; he never bestowed on them any other epithet than that
of tyrants, or usurpers, complaining publicly of their injustice, and
inveighing particularly against the Catalonian expedition, which he
prognosticated would be followed by the most fatal consequences.
Almada having frequently conversed with him on this topic, had every
reason to think that there was not a more zealous and better affected
Portugueze in the city of Lisbon: he therefore believed he would be
enchanted with the plan formed for the emancipation of his country; but
how great was his astonishment, when having conducted him to a retired
spot to inform him of the conspiracy, this man, so daring and violent in
expression, but mean and cowardly in reality, declared he would take no
part in the transaction; objecting, the tottering foundation on which
they had built their hopes of success! All the pride and courage he had
displayed whilst the danger appeared at a distance, sunk into the most
abject fear at the idea of partaking it. Where, cried he to Almada, can
you possibly obtain a sufficient body of troops to enable you to
undertake so vast an enterprise? What army can you oppose to the
Spanish troops, which will be spread throughout the country on the first
attempt you make towards the execution of your design? Who are the
grandees at the head of this affair? and are they sufficiently rich to
support the expence of a civil war? I fear, continued he, that so far
from revenging our cause on the Spaniards, and liberating our country
from their tyranny, you will contribute to its ruin, by giving them a
pretext they have long been seeking, for completing the destruction of
Portugal.
D'Almada, who had so little reason to expect the avowal of such
sentiments, was in despair at his ill-placed confidence, and not
deigning to reply, he grasped his sword, and with eyes darting fire,
rushed towards him; nothing remains, cried he, to be done, but to take
my life with my secret, or to receive thy punishment for having drawn it
from me by thy false professions. His mean-souled opponent, ever anxious
to avert impending danger, and terrified at the appearance of a naked
sword, immediately consented to every proposal of Almada's; he offered
to join the conspirators, and even contrived to contradict every thing
he had hitherto advanced; binding himself by the most solemn oaths to
keep the secret, and neglecting nothing to induce Almada to believe that
the disinclination he had at first shewed to the plan, was not the
effect of fear, or want of resentment towards the Spaniards.
These oaths and protestations were, however, far from relieving the
anxiety of Almada, who kept a strict watch on all the actions of this
person, whilst he acquainted the conspirators with every thing which had
happened. The alarm became general, and when they reflected on the
variable and inconsiderable character of the man in question, they had
but too much reason to apprehend, that either the approach of personal
danger, or the hope of a rich reward, might induce him to betray them;
they therefore decided on deferring the execution of their plan, and
insisted on Pinto's writing to his master not to commence his operations
till he heard farther from them; but Pinto, well aware of the danger of
procrastination in affairs of such a nature, when the delay of a single
day might be attended by fatal consequences, wrote secretly to the
prince to entreat him to pay no attention to the other letter, which was
merely dictated by the panic of a moment, which would be passed even
before the courier could possibly arrive at Villa Vicosa. The event
proved the truth of his assertion, for on the following day, finding
every one continued firm to his purpose, they felt ashamed of their
sudden alarm; and the suspected person giving no fresh cause of
apprehension, having indeed repeated his assurances of fidelity, either
from a change of sentiments, or from the fear of an ill-judged
accusation of so many people of distinction, they determined on pursuing
their original plan: but no sooner were they relieved from one dilemma,
than they fell into another equally perplexing.
The prudent Pinto, ever on the watch, took care to place several of the
conspirators as spies in different parts of the palace: these men walked
to and fro unheeded, and were regarded merely as making part of the idle
throng who generally flock about a court. On the eve of the day intended
to commence by the death of Vasconcellos, they perceived that minister
embark on the Tagus; this circumstance, which would have passed
unnoticed by indifferent spectators, who could never have believed
themselves interested in his crossing the river, spread universal alarm
amongst the conspirators, and they were instantly convinced that this
artful and able minister had not only discovered their project, but was
gone to the opposite shore for the purpose of collecting together the
troops which were quartered in the neighbouring villages. Tortures and
death immediately presented themselves in the most dreadful colours to
their terrified imagination; they fancied their dwellings already
surrounded by the officers of justice, and some amongst them were even
on the point of escaping the cruelty of the Spaniards, by flying to
England or Africa. Thus passed the greatest part of the night, in all
the agonies of fear and despair; but joy soon succeeded to terror, on
being informed by those of their friends who had remained at the port to
make observations, that the minister was just returned, hautboys gayly
playing, from a grand festival, to which he had been invited. Satisfied
that no suspicion was entertained in the palace, where all was buried in
sleep, unconscious of the danger of the morrow, they retired at a very
late hour.
Short as was the time now remaining before the execution of their
project, the conspirators had still another subject of alarm; so true it
is that enterprises of such a nature are always uncertain, and
frequently dangerous, more especially when the dread of punishment, and
hope of reward, may cause cowardice and treachery. George de Mello, the
brother of the grand huntsman, usually resided at a relation's in a
distant suburb of the city; and the conspiracy being on the point of
taking place, this nobleman was of opinion, that a relation, whom he had
also long regarded as a friend, would have reason to complain of his
want of confidence, should he conceal from him an affair in which the
love of his country must equally interest him with himself; he therefore
decided on inducing him to join the confederacy, and accompany him in
the morning to the rendezvous. Accordingly, on returning from the
assembly, he retired with him to his closet, unfolded the whole
business, exhorted him to be of the party, and to conduct himself as
became a man of his quality and a true Portugueze. Surprised at such
extraordinary intelligence, he, however, affected to be greatly
delighted at the speedy prospect of his country's freedom; and thanking
Mello for such honourable proofs of confidence, he declared himself
happy in exposing his life with so many honest men, in so just and
glorious a design. This conference ended, they retired to rest for a
few hours before they set off for the rendezvous; but no sooner was
Mello returned to his room, than his conscience smote him for his
imprudent confidence; he reproached himself for having so
inconsiderately placed the fate of such numbers of respectable people in
the hands of a man of whose honour he was not sufficiently assured, and
in whose countenance he thought he descried marks of secret uneasiness,
joined to surprise and terror at the prospect of so perilous an
enterprise. In short, he could not help trembling lest the dread of
torture, or the certainty of reward, should induce him to betray his
secret.
A prey to these heart-rending reflections, he traversed his chamber,
till roused by a confused noise of people, speaking low, as if fearful
of discovery, he opened his window, to listen more attentively to what
was passing, and perceived by a glimmering light his relation at the
door, going to mount his horse. Furious with rage, he flew down the
stairs, and drawing his sword, fiercely demanded whither he was going?
and what important affairs could induce him to quit his house in the
midst of the night? The other, extremely astonished, endeavoured to
alledge some bad reasons for his departure; but Mello threatening to
put him to death, forced him to return to his chamber, and taking
possession of the keys of the house, he watched his motions till the
hour appointed for the rendezvous, whither he induced him to accompany
him.
The day at last broke forth which was to raise Braganza to the dignity
of king, and bestow on him the honourable title of deliverer of his
country, or brand him with the name of rebel, and enemy of the state.
At an early hour the conspirators repaired to don Michel d'Almeida's,
and to the other houses, where it was agreed the nobles should put on
their arms. Certainty of success, courage and resolution brightened
every countenance; and it is not a little remarkable, that in a
conspiracy formed of such numbers of priests, citizens, and gentlemen,
the greatest part animated by opposite interests, not one amongst them
proved a traitor to the cause. Every one appeared as eager to begin the
attack, as if he himself was leader of the enterprise, and was destined
to wear the crown in reward of his services. Even the women were
desirous of taking an active part in the glory of the day; and history
memorably records of donna Philippa de Villena, that having herself
armed her two sons, and given them each his cuirass, she addressed them
as follows: "Go forth, my children, extinguish tyranny, revenge our
cause on our enemies; and rest assured, that should fortune fail to
smile upon your hopes, your mother will not survive a moment the
disastrous fate of so many brave and honest men![18]"
Every one being armed, they repaired to the palace through different
streets; the greater part being conveyed thither in litters, the better
to conceal their numbers and arms. They were divided, as agreed upon,
into four bands, and thus waited with inexpressible impatience the hour
of eight, the time appointed for the assault: every moment added to
their apprehensions, lest so many people appearing at so unusual an hour
at the palace, should awaken suspicion in the breast of the minister;
but at last the clock struck, and Pinto having given the signal by the
discharge of a pistol, they immediately rushed to their different posts;
Don Michel d'Almeida and his band fell on the German guards, who being
taken by surprise, and the greater part unarmed, were presently
defeated, and almost without resistance.
In the mean time, the grand huntsman, with his brother Mello, and don
Estevan d'Acugna, attacked the Spanish company on guard, on the right of
the palace called the fort; they were followed by the greater part of
the citizens engaged in the enterprise, who sword in hand forced the
guardhouse, in which the Spaniards had entrenched themselves. No one on
this occasion distinguished himself in a more gallant manner than a
priest of Azambuja, who marched at the head of the conspirators, holding
in one hand a crucifix, whilst he brandished a sword in the other, and
in a loud and terrible voice exhorted the people to destroy their
enemies, at the same time furiously charging the Spaniards, who flew
before him; such indeed was the reverence inspired by the sacred object
with which he was armed, that no one presumed to attack him, or even
defend himself; so that after a very slight resistance the Spanish
officer and his men were forced to yield; and, to save their lives,
join in the general cry of "Long live the duke of Braganza, king of
Portugal!"
Pinto having forced his way into the palace, placed himself at the head
of those destined to attack Vasconcellos, and marched with so assured
and resolute an air, that one of his friends, whom he met in his
passage, panic-struck, tremblingly asked, whither he was going with such
numbers of armed men; and for what purpose they were designed? To which
he replied, with a smile, "Only to change your master, and by delivering
you from the power of a tyrant, place you under the government of a
lawful sovereign!!"
On entering the apartments of the secretary of state, they were met at
the foot of the stairs by the civil judge[19], Francisco Soares
d'Albergaria, who had just quitted Vasconcellos, and imagining the
tumult to proceed from some private quarrel, was about to interpose his
authority, but his ears being saluted by repeated shouts of long live
the duke of Braganza! he thought himself bound in honour, and by the
duties of his charge, to cry, long live the king of Spain and Portugal!
This expression cost him dear, one of the conspirators immediately
shooting him with a pistol, and by so doing, claimed the merit of having
punished an act of loyalty, which now began to be regarded as a crime.
The secretary's first clerk, Antonio Correa, being alarmed by the report
of the pistol, instantly flew to the spot. This man, the inflictor of
his master's cruelties, and who had ever treated the nobles with marked
contempt, was no sooner perceived by don Antonio de Menezes, than he
plunged his poinard into his bosom; but even this stroke was not
sufficient to convince the miserable wretch that his power was at an
end, for not believing it possible that any one would dare to attack
him, he supposed himself mistaken for another, and turning haughtily
towards Menezes, "What!" cried he, "dost thou dare to wound me?" To
which he was only answered by repeated stabs, till he sunk exhausted on
the floor. His wounds, however, did not prove mortal; and he escaped
that time with life, to perish still more ignobly some time afterwards,
by the hand of the executioner.
The conspirators having thus got rid of the clerk who had impeded their
passage up the stairs, flew to the apartment of the secretary. He was
accompanied by Diego Garcés Palha, a captain of infantry, who on
perceiving a body of armed men furiously advancing, presently guessed
they aimed at the life of Vasconcellos; and though he owed no particular
obligation to that minister, he generously opposed, sword in hand, their
entrance at the door, hoping, by so doing, to favour the secretary's
escape; but being wounded in the sword arm, and oppressed by numbers, he
threw himself from a window, and was fortunate enough to be but little
hurt by the fall.
A crowd of conspirators instantly rushed into the chamber, and eagerly
searched for Vasconcellos, every one burning with impatience to strike
the first blow; but after having in vain overset beds, tables, and
peeped into chests, they gave way to despair that he should thus escape
their vengeance; when an old female servant, being threatened with
immediate death, pointed to a press contrived in the wall, where he was
found concealed under a quantity of papers.
The certainty of his fate deprived him of speech; and the grand
chamberlain, don Rodrigo de Sáa, having first fired at him with a
pistol, the others stabbed him repeatedly with their swords, and
throwing him out of the window, shouted, "The tyrant is dead; liberty
for ever; long live don John, king of Portugal!"
These shouts were joyfully re-echoed by the populace, on seeing the body
drop amongst them. They instantly seized it, and seemed to vie with each
other in revenging the public wrongs, and putting a finishing stroke to
the reign of tyranny.
Thus fell Michel de Vasconcellos, who, though born a Portugueze, was
ever the sworn enemy of his country, and the friend of the Spaniards.
Endowed with a superior genius for the management of affairs, quick,
attentive, and inconceivably laborious in business, fruitful in
expedients for extorting money from the people, consequently obdurate, a
stranger to pity, and capable of acts of the most refined cruelty. With
such a disposition, and having neither relations nor friends, the person
existed not who had the smallest influence over his mind. To the
seductions of pleasure he was perfectly insensible, and being never
troubled by the stings of conscience, he had amassed immense treasures
in the discharge of his employment, the greatest part of which were now
pillaged by the incensed people, who claimed a right to administer
justice, and to repair the losses they pretended they had suffered
during the course of his administration.
Pinto, without loss of time, proceeded to join the rest of the
conspirators appointed to take possession of the palace, and seize the
person of the vice-queen. On arriving at the spot, he found that plan
had been already executed, and that they had been every where equally
successful. No sooner, indeed, had they reached the door of the
princess's apartment, which the people furiously threatened to set on
fire unless opened immediately, than the vice-queen, attended by her
maids of honour, and the archbishop of Braga, made her appearance at the
entrance of her chamber, flattering herself that her presence would
appease the nobles, and restrain the violence of the populace; advancing
then towards the principal persons amongst the conspirators, she
addressed them as follows: "I cannot pretend to deny, gentlemen, that
the secretary has justly incurred the indignation of the people by the
cruelty and insolence of his conduct, but his death having now freed you
from so odious an administration, your resentment ought surely to be
appeased; I therefore advise you to reflect, that though these
commotions may at present be attributed to the hatred of the public
towards the secretary, they will, if persevered in, be regarded as acts
of rebellion; nor will it be possible for me to exculpate your conduct
or plead in your favour to the king." Don Antonio de Menezes, in reply
to this discourse, declared, that such an assembly of distinguished
persons had not taken up arms merely to destroy a detestable wretch, who
ought to have perished by the hands of the executioner, but that they
had met together to place the crown on the head of this duke of
Braganza; a crown which had been usurped from his family, to which he
alone had lawful claim, and which they were decided on restoring him,
though their lives should be the sacrifice. The vice-queen attempted to
answer, by interposing the authority of the king; but Almeida fearing a
longer conversation might tend to discourage his party, abruptly
interrupted her, by exclaiming, that the Portugueze would no longer
acknowledge any other sovereign than the duke of Braganza. In the same
moment the conspirators unanimously shouted, "Long live don John, king
of Portugal!"
The vice-queen, on perceiving they had broken through all restraint,
believed it possible she might be more successful in the city, where her
presence would probably have some influence on the citizens and people,
when no longer supported by the conspirators; she therefore was
preparing to go down stairs; but don Carlos de Norogna entreated her to
return to her apartment, assuring her that she should be treated in the
same respectful manner as if she still continued governess of the
country; but that it was highly improper a great princess should expose
herself to the insults of a people in the first moments of a revolution,
and whose breasts beat high with the desire of liberty. These words but
too clearly proved she might regard herself as a prisoner: bursting with
indignation, she haughtily asked, "And what then have I to fear from the
people?" "Nothing more, madam," furiously answered Norogna, "than that
they might throw your highness out of the window."
The archbishop of Braga, trembling with passion at the expressions of
Norogna, snatched a sword from a soldier who stood near him, and
endeavoured to force his way through the conspirators, to revenge the
insults offered to the vice-queen. This effort was on the point of
costing him his life, when don Michel d'Almeida closely embracing him,
earnestly begged him to reflect on the danger to which he exposed
himself; and forcibly tearing him away, represented in very strong
terms, that his life hung by the slenderest thread, that he had had the
greatest difficulty to preserve it from the rage of the conspirators, to
whom his person was sufficiently odious, without irritating them still
farther, by acts of unavailing bravery, very unbecoming a man of his
sacred character. These remonstrances forced him to retreat, and even to
dissimulate his rage; hoping, however, that time would afford him a
favourable opportunity of wreaking his vengeance on Norogna, and proving
his attachment to the interests of Spain.
All the remaining Spaniards, both in the palace and city, were secured
by the conspirators. The marquis de la Peubla major-domo to the
vice-queen, and eldest brother of the marquis de Leganez; don Didace de
Cardenas, general of the cavalry; don Fernando de Castro, comptroller of
the navy; the marquis de Bainetto, an Italian, and master of the horse
to the vice-queen, with several navy-officers, then in the port, were
made prisoners; and that with as little difficulty, and as quietly, as
if taken up by order of the king of Spain. The greater part, indeed,
were unable to make any resistance, being in bed, and no one attempting
to exert himself in their favour.
Antonio de Saldanha, at the head of his party, and followed by crowds of
people, proceeded next to the sovereign tribunal of _Relaçaon_, where he
harangued the company on the happiness awaiting the Portugueze from the
restoration of their lawful king, the destruction of tyranny, and the
re-establishment of the laws of the country, under the government of a
just and wise prince, laws which had been so long set at defiance.
This discourse was received with general applause, and answered by the
most lively acclamations, in favour of the new king. Gonçalo de Sousa,
first president of this sovereign court, and the father of the historian
of the same name, whom we have frequently consulted in the course of
this work, immediately pronounced his decrees in the name of don John,
king of Portugal.
Whilst Antonio de Saldanha was thus employed in disposing the tribunal
of _Relaçaon_ to acknowledge the duke of Braganza for their sovereign,
don Gaston Coutinho set free the prisoners confined by the cruelty of
the Spanish ministers. These miserable wretches, so suddenly removed
from a frightful dungeon, with the fear of a speedy death continually in
their thoughts, and restored to the participation of the liberty now to
be enjoyed by their country, were so grateful to their deliverers, and
so apprehensive of falling once more into the hands of their tormentors,
that they formed another company of conspirators, not less solicitous to
secure the throne to the duke of Braganza, than the body of nobility who
originally planned the revolution.