Account of all that had pass'd between him and the Marquiss. The Duke,
dazled with the Prospect of a Crown, resolv'd to hazard every thing,
rather than fail of obtaining one. He was chief Commander there both by
Sea and Land, as Captain-General of the Ocean, and Governour of the
Province, in which he also had a very large Estate, and several Towns
under his own immediate Jurisdiction. This seem'd very much to
facilitate his Design, and made him believe, that it was in his power to
put a Crown upon his Head whenever he pleas'd.
Upon this he sent _Lewis de Castile_ back to the Marquiss, that they
might together agree upon the properest Measures of accomplishing their
Project, and especially of engaging the Crown of _Portugal_ to lend them
all the Assistance it possibly could. Mean while, he himself was
disposing every thing for the intended Revolution; he put his own
Creatures in all those Places where their Assistance would be most
serviceable to him; he frequently would pity the Soldiers, who were not
paid as they ought to be, and the People, who were over-burden'd with
excessive Taxes.
The Marquiss _Daiamonti_ was well pleas'd to see the Duke in that
Disposition he had long wish'd to see him in; he wanted to acquaint the
King of _Portugal_ with it, but was unwilling to trust to Letters, and
fear'd he could not send a Messenger so privately, but that the Court of
_Spain_ might discover it, and have just cause to mistrust his Fidelity:
However, at last he cast his eyes upon a crafty and intriguing Monk, who
for love of Money, or hope of Preferment, would undertake any thing; he
was call'd Father _Nicholas de Valasco_, of the Order of _St. Francis_.
No one could be fitter for his purpose, since in the Countries where the
Inquisition is, this Habit is so much respected, that no one would dare
to pry into his Actions, and observe his Steps.
As soon as he had receiv'd his Instructions, he came to _Castro-Marino_,
the first Town on the Frontiers of _Portugal_, pretending to ransom some
_Castilian_ Prisoners which were detain'd in _Portugal_. The King, who
had notice given him of it, by a Letter from the Marquiss _Daiamonti_,
was desir'd to seize him, and bring him to Court: This was accordingly
done; he was arrested as a Spy, loaded with Chains, and brought to
_Lisbon_ as a State-Criminal, whom the Ministry themselves would
examine; where he was immediately cast into Prison, and seemingly
watch'd very strictly: some time after he was set at liberty, since upon
Examination it appear'd, that his only Intent was to ransom some
_Castilian_ Prisoners; and partly, to make him amends for his former ill
Usage, he was permitted to come to Court, to treat with the proper
Officer about it.
The King saw him himself several times, and promis'd him, that as a
Reward of his Industry and faithful Service, he would give him a
Bishoprick. The Monk, flatter'd with the hopes of the Mitre, would never
stir from the Palace; he made his court to the Queen, and was always
waiting upon the Ministers: He wanted to be let into all the
State-Intrigues, and did all he could to shew what Credit he had at
Court; and thus, without directly revealing his Secret, he betray'd it
by his Pride and Inconsiderateness. It plainly appear'd, that the
Severity of his Prison was only a blind, and the Examination of the
Ministry a pretence to introduce him into Court. Many and various were
the Conjectures which were made about his real Business there; but at
last a _Castilian_, who was Prisoner at _Lisbon_, discover'd the whole
Intrigue.
This _Castilian_, nam'd _Sancho_, was a Creature of the Duke of _Medina
Sidonia_'s, and, before the late Revolution, Pay-Master of the _Spanish_
Army in _Portugal_. He, with the rest of his Countrymen who were taken
up at that time, groan'd in Confinement, nor had they any prospect of
Liberty; but hearing of this Monk, and being inform'd of his Country,
his extravagant Conduct, his Credit at Court, and several other
Circumstances, which made it plain that he was there employ'd in some
secret Business; he thought he had now an opportunity of obtaining his
Liberty, and with this hope he wrote the Monk a long Letter, full of
Expressions fit to sooth his Vanity; in it he complain'd, that the King
of _Portugal_ detain'd him in Prison, (with the other _Castilians_) who
was a Servant and Creature of the Duke his Brother-in-law: and to
confirm it, he sent him several Letters, wrote to him by that Prince
himself some little time before the Revolution, in which he treated him
as one in whom he repos'd an entire Confidence.
The _Franciscan_ answer'd _Sancho_'s Letter, and assur'd him, that
nothing could recommend him more to him, than his belonging to the Duke
of _Medina_; that he would use all his endeavour to procure him his
Liberty, but in the mean time he must take care not so much as to open
his mouth about it. The _Spaniard_ waited some days for the Effect of
his Promise, and at last sent him a second Epistle, in which he
represented, that seven Months were expir'd since he was cast into
Prison; that the _Spanish_ Minister seem'd to have quite forgotten him,
since he neither talk'd of ransoming or exchanging him; and that
therefore he had no hopes of Liberty left, but what were built upon the
Charity and Interest of the Reverend Father.
The Monk, who thought he should very much oblige the Duke of _Medina_,
by procuring _Sancho_ his Freedom, begg'd it of the King, and obtain'd
it. He went to the Prison himself, to fetch him out of it, and offer'd
to have him included in a Passport, which was to be given to some of the
Dutchess of _Mantua_'s Servants, who were then returning to _Madrid_.
But the crafty _Castilian_ answer'd him, that _Madrid_ was a Place to
which he could never more return; that he must not pretend to appear at
Court, unless he desir'd to be thrown into Prison again, seeing that
_Olivarez_ was so severe and unjust, that he would expect his Accounts
to be made up, altho in the late Revolution he had been stript not only
of his Money, but had had his Books also taken from him: To this he
added, that he desir'd nothing more than to be near the Duke of
_Medina_, his Patron, who was both able and willing, he did not
question, to advance him.
The _Franciscan_ wanting somebody whom he could trust his Secret to, and
by whom he might give the Marquiss _Daiamonti_ a strict Account of his
Negotiation, cast his eyes upon the _Castilian_, who seem'd very much
attach'd to the Interest of the Duke of _Medina_. To this end he
detain'd the _Spaniard_ some time, pretending that he could not as yet
procure him a Passport, tho his Intent was to observe him, and see
whether or not he was a Person fit to be entrusted. Their being
frequently together begat an intimate Acquaintance, which they both
mutually desir'd; the Monk, that he might engage the _Spaniard_ to serve
him; and the _Spaniard_, that he might make himself Master of the Monk's
Secret.
This holy Man, like the rest of his Brethren, puff'd up with Vanity,
could not forbear one day telling his Friend, that he would not long see
him in that Garb in which he was, that he had a Bishoprick promis'd
him, and that he did not despair of obtaining the _Roman_ Purple.
_Sancho_, to make him prattle the faster, pretended that he did not
believe a word of what he said. The Fryar laugh'd at his Incredulity:
"And I suppose, _continued he_, you would not believe me neither, if I
should tell you, that the Duke of _Medina_ will shortly be a King." The
other, to get the Secret quite out of him, urg'd the Impossibility of
it; upon which the Monk told him the whole Story: That _Andalusia_ must
in a little time acknowledge the Duke for their Sovereign: That the
Marquiss _Daiamonti_, who had also discover'd the _Spanish_ Plot to the
King of _Portugal_, was the chief Negotiator and Instrument of this
intended Revolution: That he should shortly see strange Alterations in
_Spain_, and that he had now an opportunity of making his Fortune only
by being secret, and taking care to deliver some Letters from him to the
Duke and Marquiss.
_Sancho_, well pleas'd at the Discovery of this Secret, which he had
long labour'd to get out of him, renew'd his Protestations of Fidelity
and Secrecy, and his Offers of Service; and having taken _Velasco_'s
Letters, told him, that he should be proud of the Opportunity of serving
the Prince, and hoped that he should be thought worthy of the Honour of
bringing him an Answer. Upon this the _Castilian_ set out for
_Andalusia_, but was no sooner got into the _Spanish_ Territories, than
he took the _Madrid_ Road; and as soon as he arriv'd, went strait to
the Minister's House, and sent him word that _Sancho_, Pay-Master of the
Army in _Portugal_, was just escaped out of Prison, where he had been
confin'd by the Usurper, and had some important Business to communicate
to him.
It was a very hard matter to gain Access to _Olivarez_, who had his set
Hours of granting Audience, and at which time he sent word the
Pay-Master must return. Enrag'd at this Refusal, _Sancho_ cry'd he must,
he would speak to him; that his Business was no Trifle, but the Safety
of the Kingdom depended on its being immediately reveal'd.
This being told _Olivarez_, he order'd him to be admitted: _Sancho_
enter'd the Room, and threw himself at his feet, crying the Kingdom was
sav'd from the Ruin which threaten'd it, since he had gain'd Admittance
to one, in whose power it was to prevent it; then told the whole Story
of the Duke of _Medina_'s Intent, encourag'd in it by the King of
_Portugal_, and persuaded to it by the Marquiss _Daiamonti_, his Design
of seizing upon the Galloons, and of making the Soldiers of _Andalusia_
turn their Arms against their King: to justify all which, he deliver'd
those Letters given him by the _Franciscan_ for the Duke and Marquiss,
and which contain'd the Scheme of the Conspiracy.
_Olivarez_, was so surpriz'd at the Strangeness of this News, that he
could not for some time utter a word, but at last recovering himself, he
prais'd _Sancho_ for his Loyalty, and told him that he deserv'd a
double Reward, not only as he had reveal'd the Plot, but also as he had
not been afraid to discover it even to the nearest Relation of the chief
Conspirator. Then order'd he the _Spaniard_ to be conducted into a
private Apartment, and be debarr'd the liberty of speaking to any one.
Mean while the Minister went into the King's Apartment, and told him all
that _Sancho_ had related, and shew'd him the Letters which he had
deliver'd him.
Never was Prince in a greater Consternation than _Philip_ was, long had
he observ'd and dreaded the haughty Carriage of the _Gusmans_; and as
the Loss of _Portugal_, which he thought was owing to the Dutchess of
_Braganza_, was still fresh in his Memory, he could not forbear telling
_Olivarez_, in a reproachful manner, that all the Misfortunes which the
_Spaniards_ had lately suffer'd, they were beholden to his Family for.
This Prince wanted neither Wit or Judgment, but he was so addicted to
Pleasure, that he would never apply himself to any thing that carry'd
the face of Business, but would rather have lost half his Dominions,
than be oblig'd to quit his indolent and effeminate manner of Living:
Wherefore having vented his Passion in this Reproach, he gave the
_Franciscan_'s Letters back to _Olivarez_, without so much as opening
them; ordering him to have them examin'd by a Committee, compos'd of
three Members of his Privy-Council, who should make their Report to
him.
This was all that _Olivarez_ desir'd, for now he could give the Business
what Turn he pleas'd. He chose three of his own Creatures for the
Commissioners, into whose hands the Letters were put, and by whom
_Sancho_ was examin'd several times; all their Aim was to acquit the
Duke of _Medina_, to which end _Olivarez_, himself came to _Sancho_, and
affecting an affable Behaviour, and an extraordinary Kindness for the
Man; "How, my dear _Sancho, said_ he, shall we contrive to acquit the
Duke of _Medina_ of a Crime, which is testify'd only by the Letters of
an unknown Monk, and who probably was bribed by the Duke's Enemies to
lay this to his charge; for certain it is, that never Governour of
_Andalusia_ discharg'd his Duty better, both towards the King and his
Province."
_Sancho_, who was fully persuaded of the Truth of his Deposition, and
fear'd that any of the Criminals should be acquitted, lest he should
lose his hoped-for Reward, still maintain'd, that he was well assur'd
that there was an horrid Conspiracy form'd against the Government in
favour of the Duke, who was also at the head of it; that the Marquiss
_Daiamonti_ was the Contriver of the Plot; and that he himself had read
several of their Letters, which were shewn him by the _Franciscan_, and
was certain, that if _Olivarez_ did not prevent it in time, all
_Andalusia_ would be up in Arms, to make their Governour their Monarch.
_Olivarez_, very unwilling that this Business should be too narrowly
search'd into, took an opportunity of telling the King, that the Monk's
Letters had been decypher'd and examin'd, and that he really believ'd
him to be some Wretch who had been bribed to calumniate the Duke; for
there was no Letter of his produc'd, nor did _Sancho_ make any formal
Deposition against him. However, as it was impossible to be too cautious
in such a case as this, his Opinion was, that the Duke must be artfully
drawn to Court, for if he had any such Design on foot, it was not safe
to arrest him in _Andalusia_; that some Forces must be sent to _Cadiz_,
under a new Governour; that the Marquiss _Daiamonti_ must be taken up at
the same time, and if they were found guilty, his Majesty might deliver
them over to the Severity of the Law.
This haughty Minister's Will was not only generally a Law to the
Subjects of _Spain_, but was always one to the King; who told him, that
he should manage this Business as he thought fit, for he left it
entirely to him. Upon this _Olivarez_ sent his Nephew, Don _Lewis
d'Haro_, to the Duke of _Medina_, to tell him what had been depos'd
against him, and with Orders, that guilty or not guilty, he should
immediately come to Court, which if he did, his Pardon should be
granted; but that if he defer'd his Journey, it would no longer be in
his power to procure it.
This Message thunder-struck the Duke of _Medina_, and he saw himself
under a necessity of obeying, or immediately flying into _Portugal_: but
then considering how ignominious it was to spend his days in Indolence,
and live a banish'd Man, especially in a Country where there was no
Employment worthy of him, and at the same time knowing how great
_Olivarez_'s Power was; he resolv'd to trust him: and set out for
_Madrid_, and with such diligence did he pursue his Journey, that the
King was immediately inclin'd to believe him innocent, or to forgive
him, should he be found guilty.
Whilst Don _Lewis d'Haro_ was employ'd in this Business, a Messenger was
sent to take up the Marquiss _Daiamonti_; and the Duke of _Ciudad-real_
march'd into _Cadiz_ at the head of 5000 Men.
As soon as the Duke of _Medina_ arriv'd at _Madrid_, he went and
alighted at _Olivarez_'s House, to whom he confess'd the Conspiracy,
shew'd him the Scheme by which they were to proceed, but cast all the
Odium of it upon the Marquiss. _Olivarez_ that instant introduc'd him
into the King's Closet, where he threw himself at his Majesty's feet,
and with Tears confess'd his Crime, and begg'd his pardon. _Philip_, who
was of a soft and compassionate nature, mix'd his Tears with the Duke's,
and easily forgave him. But as it would have been very imprudent to have
expos'd him to the same Temptation a second time, he was order'd to stay
at Court; part of his Estate was also confiscated, the King being
sensible, that had he not been too rich, and too powerful, he would
never have made an Attempt of this kind: and a Governour and a Garison
were plac'd in _Saint Lucar de Barameda_, the Town in which the Dukes of
_Medina Sidonia_ generally resided.
_Olivarez_, to persuade the King that his Relation's Repentance was
sincere, advis'd him to send a formal Challenge to the Duke of
_Braganza_; which he refus'd at first, objecting that both Divine and
Human Laws forbad Duels. But _Olivarez_ persisting in his Resolution of
having one sent, _Medina_ reply'd, that he could not in Conscience come
to this Extremity with his Brother-in-law, unless the King would obtain
a Bull from the Pope, which should secure him from the Censure of the
Church, which always excommunicated Duelists.
_Olivarez_ answer'd him, that this was not a time for Scruples of
Conscience, but that he must now think of satisfying both the King and
People of the Sincerity of his Repentance; that in short it was no
matter whether he would fight or not, provided he would not disown a
Challenge, which he would publish in his Name. The Duke, who now plainly
saw that _Olivarez_'s Intent was only to amuse the People, consented to
it, and the Minister drew up one himself. Several of them were sent into
_Portugal_, as well as into most Courts of _Europe_. A Copy of it may
probably not be displeasing to the Reader, who will be surpriz'd to see
a Challenge, which by its Length, Formality, and Stile, would better
have became a Knight-Errant of old, than such a Prince as the Duke of
_Medina Sidonia_ was.
[Illustration]
Don _GASPAR ALONCO Perez de Gusman_, Duke of _Medina Sidonia_,
Marquiss, Earl, and Baron of _Saint Lucar de Barameda_, Captain
General of the Ocean, of the Coasts of _Andalusia_, and of the
Armies of _Portugal_, Gentleman of the Bed-Chamber to his Catholick
Majesty;
Whom God Preserve.
_Whereas nothing has been more conspicuous to the whole World, than the
treasonable Practices of ~John~ late Duke of ~Braganza~; Be also_
_his damnable Intentions known, of seducing and tainting with Disloyalty
the faithful Family of the ~Gusmans~, which ever has been, and for the
future ever shall be most true and loyal to the King their Master, in
whose Service so many of them have shed their Blood. This Usurper has
endeavour'd to insinuate into the Minds of Foreign Princes, as well as
of his own Rebel ~Portuguese~, that I would aid and assist him, and
enter into his Measures; hoping thereby to keep up the Spirits of those
who have join'd with him, and to put me out of favour with the King my
Master, (whom God preserve) thinking that by these means he should
alienate my Duty and Affection from my Master, and then I should consent
to his cursed Designs, without that Repugnance_ _which he has found in
me. And the better to accomplish his Design, he has made use of a Monk,
who was sent by the Town of ~Daiamonti~ to ~Castro-Marino~ in
~Portugal~, to treat about the Ransom of a prisoner: which Monk being
carried to ~Lisbon~, was suborn'd, and persuaded to give out that I
was engag'd in the Conspiracy, and that I would permit any Foreign Army
to land in ~Andalusia~, to favour their Designs: and to give the
better colour to his Story, he shew'd some forg'd Letters, and which he
pretended to have receiv'd from me._
_All this was done with a Design to persuade several Princes to send him
some Forces, and would to God they had, that I might have shewn my
Loyalty, by destroying them and their_ _Ships; which will easily appear
to have been my Intent, by the Orders which I left on all the Coasts._
_These things have been a sore Affliction to me; but what grieves me
still more, is, that his Wife should be my Sister, whose Blood I would
gladly shed, since by Rebellion tainted and corrupted, that I might give
an evident Proof of my Loyalty to my King, and efface all those
Suspicions, which these Rumours may have imprinted in the Minds of the
People._
[Sidenote: 1641.]
_For these Reasons therefore I challenge the said ~John~ late Duke of
~Braganza~, as being a Traitor both to God and his King, and invite
him to meet me in Person, and in single Combat try our Fortune, with or
without Seconds, and arm'd in_ _what manner he please; the Place shall
be near ~Valentia d'Alcantra~, which is on the Frontiers both of
~Castile~ and ~Portugal~, and where I will wait for him four-score
Days, from the first of ~October~ to the nineteenth of ~December~ of
this present Year. The twenty last Days I will wait for him in Person,
and on the time which he shall appoint I will enter the Lists; which
time, though it be long, I give him, not only that he the said Tyrant,
but also that all ~Europe~, nay, that the whole World may know it. To
this end, I will send Ten Chevaliers a League within ~Portugal~; as
also, he shall send Ten a League within ~Castile~, as Hostages, and on
that day I will shew him the Heinousness and Baseness of his Crime._
_But if he the said ~John~ late Duke of ~Braganza~, should fail
meeting me, to give me Gentleman-like Satisfaction, and thereby deprive
me of the Opportunity of shewing my Loyalty to the King my Master, and
the natural Hatred which our Family has to Traitors; I offer (with
Submission to his Catholick Majesty, whom God preserve) my good Town of
~St. Lucar de Barameda~, which always has been the Seat of the Dukes
of ~Medina Sidonia~, to any Man who shall kill him. To which end, I
beg of his Catholick Majesty, that I may not have any longer the Command
of the Army which is to march against him, being so transported with
Rage, that I should not be Master of that Sedateness and Conduct, which
are so necessary to_ _a General; but that his Majesty would give me
leave to be only at the head of a Thousand of my own People, on whose
Courage, as well as my own, I may rely, that in case the said Usurper
should not accept my Challenge, we may bring him dead or alive to his
said Majesty. And that I may not be thought to be wanting in my Duty to
my King, I offer one of my best Towns to the first Governour, or other
Officer, belonging to the Usurper, who will surrender any Place to the
King my Master; never thinking that I can do enough for his Service,
since to him, and to his glorious Ancestors, I owe all that I enjoy._
Given at _Toledo_ the 29th of _September_, 1641.
[Illustration]
According to his Promise, the Duke of _Medina_ appear'd in the Lists,
follow'd by Don _John de Garray_, Lieutenant-General of the _Spanish_
Cavalry; there the Duke of _Braganza_ was summon'd in a formal manner:
But that Prince was too prudent to play a part in this Farce; or had the
thing been of a more serious nature, a Sovereign Prince was not to
venture his Life against a Subject of his Enemy.
Whilst _Olivarez_ amus'd the People in this manner, he was also taking
care to turn the Resentment of the King and People upon the Marquiss
_Daiamonti_, whom he intended to prove the only guilty Person: to this
end he flatter'd him with the Hopes of a Pardon, and that, as well as
the Duke of _Medina_, he should taste the Bounties of a merciful Prince,
provided he would be open in his Confession; but that Kings, like God,
whose Images they were, never forgave any, but those who heartily and
sincerely repented them of their Crimes.
The Marquiss trusting to this Promise, which the Duke of _Medina_'s
Example gave him no room to doubt of, sign'd a Paper which _d'Olivarez_
brought him, and which he immediately put into the hands of those who
were to try him. Upon this Confession of his he was indicted, and
condemn'd to be beheaded. When the Judge pass'd Sentence, he heard it
without the least Concern, or so much as murmuring at _Olivarez_ or the
Duke. That same Night he supp'd as heartily as usual, and when they came
to lead him to Execution the next Morning, he was still asleep. He
ascended the Block without speaking one word, whilst a Contempt of Death
might be read in his Looks, and died with a Courage and Resolution
worthy of a better Cause. Such was the end of a Conspiracy, from which
the King of _Spain_ escaped meerly by Accident, or rather by a Decree of
Providence, which cannot connive at Crimes of this nature, and will
seldom suffer Treachery to prevail.
The King of _Portugal_ seeing this Project miscarry, resolv'd to
maintain himself on the Throne no longer by such clandestine Means, but
by open Force, and the Assistance of his Allies. _France_ seem'd
particularly to take the House of _Braganza_ under its Protection, as
being the most antient Branch of their own Royal Family.