CHAP. III.

Of Portugal.

§. 1. POrtugal,* which comprehends the greatest part of that Province which the Romans called Lusitania, fell, with the rest of Spain, under the last Gothick King Roderick, into the Hands of the Moors, who were in possession of it for a long time; but in the Year 1093, Alfonsus VI. King of Castile and Le∣•n, arming himself with all his Power to attack the Page  82 Moors; and craving also the Assistance of Foreign Princes, among others; also, came one Henry, to sig∣nalize himself in this War, whose Pedigree is variously related by the Historians. For some will have him descended out of the House of Burgundy, and have made him a younger Son of Robert Duke of Burgun∣dy, whose Father was Robert King of France, Son of Hugh Capet. Others derive his Pedigree from the House of Loraine, alledging, That the reason of his being called a Burgundian was, because he was born at Besanson.* To this Henry, King Alfonsus VI. gave in marriage his natural Daughter Theresia, as a re∣ward of his Valour, giving unto him for a Dowry, un∣der the Title of an Earldom, all that part of Portugal which was then in the possession of the Christians; which comprehended that part of the Country, where are the Cities of Braga, Coimbria, Visco, Lamego, and Porto, as also that tract of Ground which is now cal∣led Tralos Montes, granting to him also a power to conquer the rest of that Country, as far as to the River of Guadiana, and to keep it under his Jurisdiction; yet with these conditions, That he should be a Vassal of Spain, repair to the Dyets of that Kingdom, and in case of a War, be obliged to serve with 300 Horse. Henry died in the Year 1112,* leaving a Son whose name was Alfonsus, being then very young: His Inhe∣ritance was, during his Minority, usurp'd by Ferdi∣nand Potz, Count of Trastamara, his Father-in-law, he having married his Mother. But as soon as he was grown up, he took up Arms against his Father-in-law, beat him out of Portugal, but his Mother he put in Prison; who calling to her aid Alfonsus VII. he pro∣mised to dis-inherit her Son, and to give him all Por∣tugal. But Alfonsus of Portugal defeated the Castili∣ans in a Battel, by which Victory he pretended to have freed himself from the Spanish Subjection.* This Alfonsus undertook an Expedition against King Ismar,* who had his Kingdom on the other side of the River Tajo, who being joined by the Forces of four other petty Moorish Kings, drew out against him. Alfonsus was then in his Camp near Cabebas des Reyes proclaimed King, thereby to animate his Souldiers; and get a Page  83 most signal Victory,* taking the five Standards of those Kings, whence he put five Shields in the Arms of Portugal, and retained ever after the Title of King. He took afterwards a great many Cities from the Moors; and among the rest, with the assistance of the Netherland Fleet the City of Lisbon in the Year 1147.* This Alfonsus was taken Prisoner near Bada∣joz, by Ferdinand King of Egypt, who gave him his Freedom without any other Ransom, than that he was to restore to him some Cities, which he had ta∣ken from him in Gallicia. After he had reigned very gloriously, and greatly enlarged the Limits of his Kingdom,* he died in the 91st Year of his Age.

§. 2. Him succeeded his Son Sanctius,* who built a great many Cities, and fill'd them with Inhabitants. He took from the Moors the City of Selva, being as∣sisted in that Expedition, by a Fleet sent out of the Netherlands to the Holy Land. He was, during his whole Reign, always in action with the Moors, and died in the Year 1212.* After him reigned his Son Al∣fonsus sirnamed Crassus, who did nothing worth mentioning, but that, with the help of the Nether∣landers, who went to the Holy Land, he took from the Moors the City of Alcassar. He died in the Year 1223. His Son Sanctius,* sirnamed Capellus, succeeded him; who being very careless, and ruled by his Wife, was excluded from the Administration of the Government by the Portugueses, who conferr'd it on Alfonsus his Brother. Sanctius died an Exile in Toledo. The Por∣tugueses have made this observation concerning him,* that he was the only Portuguese King who died with∣out leaving either Legitimate Children or Bastards be∣hind him.* Alfonsus, the Brother of Sanctius, parted from his Lady Mathildis, Countess of Boulogne, she being somewhat Ancient and Barren, and married Beatrice, Daughter to Alfonsus X. King of Castile, with whom he had for a Dowry the County of Al∣garbia; but the Pope being dissatisfy'd with this Di∣vorce, excommunicated both him and the whole Kingdom. He reigned very laudably, and united a great many Cities to his Kingdom, and died in the Page  84 Year 1279. The extraordinary Virtues of his Son Dionysius,* especially, Justice, Liberality and Constan∣cy, are highly extoll'd by the Portugueses: He having also adorn'd the Kingdom with a great many publick Buildings, among which is the Academy of Conim∣bria, first founded by him. There is an old Proverb concerning him, used among the Portugueses, El Rey D. Denys, qui fiz quanto quin: King Dionysius, who did whatsoever he pleased. He died in the Year 1325; his Son. Alfonsus IV.* sirnamed the Brave, was very glorious for his Atchievements both in Peace and War; but he banished his Bastard Brother, who was great∣ly beloved both by his Father and the People; and caused D. Agnes de Castro, a very beautiful Lady, who was without his consent married to his Son Pieter, barbarously to be murthered; which so exasperated Pieter, that he taking up Arms against the Father, did considerable mischief, till at last the business was composed.* He died in the Year 1357. His Son Pieter was commonly called the Cruel, tho' some will have this rather to have been spoken to his praise, as having been an exact observer of Justice, never spa∣ring any Offender. He died in the Year 1368. His Son Ferdinand contended with Henry the Bastard,* who had murthered his Brother Pieter, sirnamed the Cruel, King of Castile, about the Kingdom of Castile, be∣cause his Mother Beatrice had been Daughter of San∣ctius IV. King of Castile; and a great many of the Nobility and some Cities of that Kingdom declaring for him, he waged War against the forementioned Henry. But he being too strong for him, he could not maintain his Pretensions, but was obliged to make Peace.* However the War broke out afresh again be∣twixt them, because Ferdinand had protected some who were banished out of Castile for High Treason, neither would, upon demand, surrender them. To revenge this, Henry made an inrode into Portugal, and finding no resistance, over-ran the greatest part of the Country. After the death of Henry, Ferdinand made a Peace with his Son John, but the same was soon vio∣lated again by the Portugueses, who encouraged the Duke of Lancaster, that married Constantia Daughter Page  85 of Pieter King of Castile, to pretend to the Crown of Castile: He came with a good Army into Portugal; but the English being quickly grown weary of the War in Spain, and living very disorderly in Portugal, a Peace was concluded on both sides. At last Ferdi∣nand married his Daughter Beatrice to John of Castile, under condition, that such Children as were born of their Bodies, should succeed in the Kingdom of Por∣tugal; which was afterwards the occasion of bloody Wars. This Ferdinand, who by his frequent Wars had proved very pernicious to Portugal, died in the Year 1383, being the last of the true Race of the Kings of Portugal.

§. 3. After the death of Ferdinand great Troubles arose in Portugal,* most of the Portugueses not being able to brook living under the Subjection of the Ca∣stilians, whom they mortally hated. It was, 'tis true, agreed on in the Articles of Marriage made be∣twixt the King of Castile and Beatrice Daughter of Ferdinand, That her Mother Eleonora should have the Administration of the Government in Portugal, till such Children as should be born of this Marriage should be of age: But this Eleonora, leaving all to the management of the Count of Ancira, her much sus∣pected Favourite, she drew upon her self the hatred of the Portugueses. John, therefore, natural Son of Pie∣ter King of Portugal, privately murther'd him, where∣by he got both the Favour of the People, and encreas∣ed the hatred against the Queen Dowager: But some of the Portugueses being much dissatisfy'd at these pro∣ceedings, begg'd the King of Castile,* to take upon him the Crown of Portugal; which he might in all likelyhood have obtained, if he had been quick e∣nough, either by fair means or by force, to have put himself into full possession of the same: But he being uncertain in his Resolutions, gave by his delays, time and opportunity to the adverse Party to strengthen it self. Wherefore, he coming without an Army into Portugal, his Mother-in-law resign'd to him the Go∣vernment, but he found but an indifferent Reception among the Portugueses, they being very averse to him Page  86 because he used very rarely to speak or converse with them: Nevertheless a great many of the Nobility and some Cities did side with him; but most out of a ha∣tred to the Castilians, chose for their Leader John the Bastard, a wise and brave Man, and much belov'd by the People. The Castilians thereupon besieged Lisbon, but their Army being for the most part destroyed by the Plague, they were obliged to leave it without ha∣ving got any advantage.* In the Year next following, the Portugueses declar'd this John their King,* who ve∣ry courageously attack'd those places, which had de∣clared for the Castilians, and subdued the greatest part of them. The Castilians then entred with an Army into Portugal, but were entirely routed by this new King near Aliubarotta, which Victory is yearly cele∣brated to this day among the Portugueses. After this Battel, all the rest of the Cities did without more adoe surrender themselves to the new King. The Portu∣gueses also calling unto their aid, the Duke of Lan∣caster, unto whom they had promised the Crown of Castile, they enter'd into that Kingdom with an Ar∣my: But the English having suffer'd extreamly by Sickness, the Duke of Lancaster thought it most con∣venient to conclude a Peace with the Castilians, where∣upon it was agreed, That the Son of the King of Castile should marry his only Daughter Catharine, which he had by Constantia, Daughter to Pieter King of Ca∣stile. A Truce was also made betwixt Portugal and Castile at that time; but the War soon breaking out again,* at last, an everlasting Peace was concluded be∣twixt both Kingdoms; so that John had the good for∣tune to maintain himself in the possession of the Crown of Portugal, and reign'd with great applause. After he was quietly settled in the Throne, he undertook an Expedition into Africa, and took the City Ceuta; whose Son also first found out the Isle of Madera.* This King died in the Year 1433,* and left a Memory that is to this day dear to the Portugueses.

§. 4.* His Son Edward was a very Virtuous Prince, but did not reign long; for at that time, Portugal being over-run with the Plague, he got the Infection by a Page  87 Letter, and died in the Year 1438. During his Reign, his Brothers undertook a most unfortunate Expediti∣on into Africa, where being themselves taken Priso∣ners before Tangier, they promised to restore to the Moors Ceuta for a Ransom, leaving Don Ferdinand as a Hostage behind them. But the States of Portu∣gal refusing to stand to the Contract, the Hostage was forc'd to end his days in Prison.* Alfonsus, Son to this Edward, was but six years old when his Father died, whose Tuition was committed, by his Father's last Will, to his Mother. But the States, refusing to sub∣mit themselves to the Government of a Foreign Wo∣man, conferr'd the Administration of the Kingdom on Don Pedro Duke of Conimbria, Brother to King Ed∣ward, but he received a very slender Recompence for his Services; for being falsely accused before the new King, he was slain as he was going with some Troops to the King to justifie himself. Alfonsus V. was else a very good Souldier and a brave Prince, under whose Reign the Portugueses took several places on the Coast of Africa, viz. Tangier, Arcilla, Alcassar, and some others. Good store of Gold was also transported out of Gui∣nea into Portugal, which he employ'd in coining of Cruisadoes. After this Alfonsus had great contests with Ferdinand the Catholick and Isabella, there being a promise of marriage made betwixt him and Johanna, the supposed Daughter of Henry IV. King of Castile; but, as it was reported, begotten in Adultery; but the Marriage was not consummated, she being Alfon∣sus's Sister's Daughter, tho', at last, the Pope gave his Dispensation, which he had refused at first. Alfonsus, under this pretence, took upon himself the Title and Arms of Castile, surprising several Cities, assisted by some of the Nobility of Castile, who sided with him: Lewis XI. also, King of France, sent him some Auxi∣liaries, but these were not sufficient to enable him to undertake any thing of moment: Wherefore, Ferdi∣nand retaking all the places from the Portugueses, routed them also near Toro and near Albuhera;* so that Alfonsus despairing of obtaining his Ends,* concluded a Peace with Ferdinand, wherein he renounced both Castile and the Bride Johanna, she being promised in Page  88 marriage to John Son of Ferdinand, who was then a Child: But she, perceiving that this was only done to elude her,* went into a Nunnery. Portugal sustained considerable losses in this War, and Alfonsus died in the Year 1481, as it is supposed, out of Grief, because he had lost the hopes of his Bride and the Crown of Ca∣stile.* Him succeeded his Son John II. against whom a most horrid Conspiracy was discovered, for which Ferdinand Duke of Braganza, and James Duke of Visco lost their lives, the latter being kill'd by the King's own Hand. This King John was the first, who found out the way to sail into the East Indies,* having not only ordered an exact Survey to be made of the African Coast, as far as to the Cape of good hope, but also sent some by Land into the East Indies, to inform themselves concerning the Condition of those Countries. He built also the Castle of Mina on the Coast of Guinea: But before this intended Voyage to the East Indies could be begun, this King died in the Year 1495, leaving no Heirs behind him.

§. 5.* John II. was succeeded by his Cousin Emanuel, Son of Ferdinand Duke of Visco, Grandchild of King Edward. With him contended for the Succession the Emperour Maximilian, whose Mother Eleonora was a Daughter of King Edward: But the Portugueses de∣clared for Emanuel, who for his extraordinary Quali∣fications both of Body and Mind, was extreamly be∣loved by them. He, the better to establish himself at home, married Isabella, eldest Daughter of Ferdi∣nand the Catholick, out of which marriage a young Prince was born, whose Name was Michael, who, if he had lived, would have been Heir to all the Spanish Kingdoms,* except that of Navarre. To please his Bride, he, by his Proclamation, banish'd all the Jews and Moors out of Portugal by a prefix'd time, under penalty, for all such as should stay behind, to be made Slaves for ever. Whereupon the Moors imme∣diately retir'd into Africa; but from the Jews they took their Children which were under the Age of fourteen, and baptized them against their Will: And as for the old ones, they were so plagued and vexed Page  89 every where, and stopp'd or hinder'd in their Journeys, that most, to be rid of these Vexations, and to avoid the danger of Slavery, were baptized, retaining, ne∣vertheless, in their Minds, their ancient Superstition: Under the Reign of this King, Portugal arrived to the highest pitch of its Greatness,* the design of the East-India Voyage round Africa, which was projected by the former King, being now accomplish'd by Vascus de Gama,* who first arrived at Calicut. As soon as the Portugueses began to draw into their Country the Trade of Spices, they were opposed, especially by the Sultan of Egypt, because formerly these Commo∣dities used to be conveyed through Egypt to Venice, and from thence to other parts of Europe, from which both these Countries drew vast Profit. Wherefore the Venetians stirred up the Sultan,* sending him great stores of Metal to make Cannons of, and Shipwrights to build Ships; by which means they hoped to drive the Portugueses out of the Indies: But the Portugueses, who did not much trust the Barbarian Kings of the Indies, began to build Forts and strong Holds in the most convenient places; wherein they met with little opposition, partly because the Indians were terrify'd by the vastness of the Ships, and the thunder of the Cannons of the Europeans; partly because they were not aware of what consequence they might prove one day against them.* The Duke of Albuquerque, espe∣cially, did mightily advance the Power of the Portu∣gueses in the Indies, who took the Cities of Ormuz, Malacca, Cochin and Goa; the latter of which is the place of Residence of the Portuguese Governour in the Indies. And thus the Portugueses engrossed to themselves the whole Trade and Commerce of Africa and the remotest parts of Asia, having possessed them∣selves of all the most commodious Ports and Places not only on the Western side of Africa, in Maurita∣nia, Guinea, Congo, Angola, in the Isle of St. Thomas, and some others, but also on the East side, in Man∣zambique, Melinde, Mombazo, Zafala, and from the mouth of the Red Sea, as far as Japan; from whence incredible Riches were conveyed into Portugal. Be∣sides all this did Pieter Alvanus Capralis, or as some Page  90 will have it Americus Vesputius discover'd the Coun∣try of Brasile in America,* whither the Portugueses sent 1500 several Colonies. And under the Reign of this King Emanuel, who died in the Year 1521, Portugal increased to that degree, that his Reign was called, The Golden Age.* After him reigned his Son John III. under whose Reign Portugal continued in the same flourishing condition.* This King sent Francis Xavier, and some other Jesuites into the East Indies, who were to settle the Christian Religion among the Bar∣barians. The Jesuites commonly boast of great num∣bers of Heathens converted by them, but whether they deserve an intire credit in this, or whether, perhaps, a great many of these have not rather taken upon them the Name, than the Faith of Christians, those are best able to judge, who have been conver∣sant in those places. He died in the Year 1557.

§. 6.* John III. had for his Successour his Grandson Sebastian, a Child of three Years of age, whose Tuiti∣on was committed to the Cardinal Henry, his Uncle, because his Grandmother was not willing to take upon her the burthen of the Government. Through the over-forwardness of this young Prince, Portugal re∣ceiv'd such a blow, that it fell from the Pinacle of its Greatness: For some of his Court Favourites did put this magnanimous and ambitious Prince, upon such Enterprizes as were far surpassing both his Age and Power, and were in no ways suitable to the present juncture of Affairs, so that his whole Mind was bent upon Warlike Exploits, and how by Martial Exercises, to revive the ancient Valour of his Subjects, which by Peace and Plenty, having been more addicted to Commerce, was of late much decay'd. He under∣took, therefore, an Expedition into the next adjacent parts of Africa, intending, by light Skirmishes to try his Enemies. He proposed, afterwards, a Voyage in∣to the Indies, but his Council opposing it, it was a∣greed upon, that he should undertake an Expedition into Africa, an occasion presenting it self at that time; for that Muley Mahomet, King of Morocco, being banish'd by his Uncle Muley Malucco, craved the as∣sistance Page  91 of King Sebastian: Wherefore, notwithstand∣ing the good Counsels of Philip King of Spain,* and others, who dissuaded him from it, he in person, with a great but unexercised Army enter'd Africa, and advancing, against all Reason, too far into the Coun∣try, was obliged, in a disadvantageous place, to fight against a much more numerous Army; wherefore the success of the Battel was answerable to the rash at∣tempt; his Army, wherein was the flower of the No∣bility of Portugal, being miserably routed, and the Souldiers all either cut to pieces or made Prisoners. This Battel is famous, because three Kings fell, viz. King Sebastian, the banish'd Muley Mahomet, and Muley Malucco, King of Morocco, who during the time of the Battel, died of a Fever. This happened in the Year 1578.* Him succeeded his Uncle Henry the Cardinal, a very old Man, under whose Reign there happened nothing worth mentioning, but that perpetual contests were set on foot concerning the Suc∣cession. Wherefore, he dying in the Year 1580, Phi∣lip II. King of Spain, thought it the most efficacious way, to dispute with the Sword in hand; and perceiving that the Portugueses, out of that hatred which they bare to the Castilians, were inclined to Anthony Son of Lewis de Beya, natural Son to King John III. he sent the Duke d'Alba with a great Army into Portugal, who quickly chased away Anthony, and in few days became Master of the whole Kingdom,* all being forced soon to submit, except the Isle of Tercera, which was not reduced till after the French, who came to its relief, were beaten. As the Portugueses did not, without great reluctancy, bear the Government of the Casti∣lians; so this Union with Castile proved very prejudici∣al to them afterwards. For Philip, who was for bring∣ing the Netherlanders again under Obedience, thought that nothing could do it more effectually, than to stop their Trade and Commerce with Spain and Portugal: For hitherto they had traded no fur∣ther, being used to fetch away their Commodities from thence, and to convey them into the more Northern parts of Europe. Wherefore Philip concluded, that if this way of getting Money were once stop'd, they Page  92 would quickly grow poor, and thereby be obliged to submit themselves. But this design had a quite con∣trary effect;* for the Hollanders being themselves ex∣cluded from Trade with Spain and Portugal, try'd, a∣bout the end of the latter Age, to sail to the East In∣dies. And as soon as, after a great many difficulties, they had once gotten footing there, they greatly im∣paired the Portugueses Trade, who hitherto had only managed the same, and afterwards took from them one Fort after another.* And the English, with the assistance of Abbas King of Persia, forced from them the famous City of Ormutz.* Nor was this all, for the Hollanders took from them a great part of Brasile, and several places on the Coast of Africa; which the Hollanders, in all probability, would have had no reason to under∣take, if Portugal had remained a Kingdom by it self, and had not been annexed to Spain.

§. 7. But in the Year 1640,* the Portugueses took an occasion to shake off the Spanish Yoak. For Phi∣lip IV. then summoned the Portuguese Nobility to as∣sist him in the War against the Catalonians, who had rebelled against him. Being therefore armed, and finding an opportunity to consult with one another, concerning those Troubles in which Spain was involv'd at that time; they agreed to withdraw themselves from the Subjection of Spain,* proclaiming for their King,* the Duke of Braganza, who stiled himself John IV. whose Grandmother had stood in competiti∣on with Philip II. for that Crown. The Spaniards committed a gross mistake in this, that they did not in time secure the Duke, whom they knew to have a fair pretence to that Crown; to be extreamly be∣loved by that Nation, and to be in possession of the fourth part of the Kingdom. The Spaniards being at that time entangled in Wars against France, Holland and Catalonia; the Portugueses had thereby good lei∣sure given them, to settle their Affairs. They made also a Peace with Holland,* by virtue of which, both Parties were to remain in possession of what they had gotten. But this Peace did not last long; for, these places which were in the possession of the Hollanders, Page  93 in Brasile, revolted to the Portugueses, which the Hol∣landers looking upon as done by contrivance of the Portugueses,* denounced War against them. And tho' they did not retake Brasile, yet did they take a great many other places from them in the East Indies, viz. Malacca, the places on the Coast of the Isle of Zey∣lon, on the Coast of Cormandel, and on the Coast of Malabar, Cochin, Canaror, Cranganor, and some o∣thers; and if they had not clapt up a Peace with them,* they would in all likely hood have also driven them out of Goa it self. John IV. died in the Year 1656,* leaving the Kingdom to his Son Alfonsus, who was under Age, but the Administration of the Go∣vernment was in the mean time lodged with his Mother. After the Pyrenean Treaty was concluded, out of which Portugal was excluded by the Spaniards, it being besides this agreed with France, not to send any Assistances to the Portugueses, the Spaniards fell upon the Portugueses in good earnest: But these de∣fended themselves bravely, and notwithstanding the Articles of the Pyrenean Treaty, the French King did give leave to the Earl of Schombergh, and a great ma∣ny other Frenchmen to enter into the Service of the Portugueses, who routed the Spaniards in several En∣counters, but more especially, near Extremos and Villa Vitiosa.* At last, the French entering with a great Army into the Netherlands, the Spaniards were wil∣ling to conclude a Peace with the Portugueses, who were also glad to be once disentangled out of so tedi∣ous a War. By virtue of this Peace Spain did resign all its Pretensions upon Portugal. In the mean time Alfonsus was grown up a wild and awkward sort of a Man, as Don Pedro's Friends have represented him to the World; who, besides this, by a Distemper which he had in his tender Age, was so disabled both in his Body and Mind, that he was neither fit to rule nor marry: Yet he taking from his Mother the Admini∣stration of Affairs upon himself (who quickly after died) married a Princess of Nemours,* descended from the House of Savoy; who having lived with him a∣bout sixteen Months, retired into a Monastery, de∣siring to be divorced from him: She alledged, That Page  94 Alfonsus was not only incapable of Matrimony, but also that he had endeavoured, to have one of his Fa∣vourites get her with Child, thereby to secure the Crown to his Family. There was, besides this, so strong a Jealousie betwixt the King and his Brother Don Pedro, that the latter thought his Life to be in danger, if he did not prevent the Designs of his Bro∣ther and his Favourites: He therefore, bringing the Nobility and People over to his Party, forced Alfonsus to surrender to him the Administ••••on of the King∣dom, reserving for his Maintenance only the yearly Revenue of 270000 Livers, as also the Palace of Bra∣ganza, with all its Appurtenances.* Don Pedro would not take upon himself the Title of King, but chose rather to be called Regent of Portugal, in the name of his Brother Alfonsus, he being incapable of Admi∣nistring the Government: He married also upon the desire of the Portugueses, and with the Dispensation of the Pope, his Brother's Wife. And because Alfonsus should not be in a capacity of raising any disturbances, he was under a good Guard conducted into the Island of Ter••ra. But Don Pedro has hitherto administred the Government in peace, and to the general satisfacti∣on of the People.

§. 8.* And to say something concerning the Geni∣us of the Portugueses, and the Strength and the Na∣ture of the Country. The Portugueses are not infe∣riour to the Spaniards in Pride and Haughtiness; but are not esteemed so Prudent and Cautious as these, but are over-secure in Prosperity, and in time of dan∣ger rash and fool-hardy. Where they get the upper∣hand they are very rigorous and cruel. They are mightily addicted to be Covetous, and love Usury, and have searched after Money in all corners of the World. Some also will have them to be very Mali∣cious, which they say is the remnant of the Jewish Blood, which is intermingled with that of the Portu∣guese Nation. This Country, considering its bigness, is very populous, as is evident by the number of Por∣tugueses, which have settled themselves in Brasile, on the Coast of Africa, and in the East Indies: Yet are Page  95 they not in a capacity to raise a numerous Land Ar∣my without Foreign help, or to man out a mighty Fleet of Men of War; but they have enough to do, to Garrison their frontier Places well, and to keep Convoys for their Merchant Ships.

§. 9.* Concerning the Countries which belong now∣a-days to Portugal. The Kingdom of Portugal, by it self considered, is neither very large nor very fruitfull, the Inhabitants living most upon such Corn as is im∣ported: Yet is the Country full of Cities and Towns, and has a great many commodious Sea-ports. The Commodities of the growth of Portugal, fit for Ex∣portation, are Salt, of which a great quantity is from Setubal or St. Hubes transported into the Northern Countries: As also Oyl, some Wine, and all sorts of Fruit. The other Commodities which are brought from thence they first, have from those Provinces that belong to them. The Silver Mine called Guacaldane, is said to be of the yearly value of 178 Quentoes of Silver (each Quent being reckoned to amount to 2673 Ducats, 8 Reals, and 26 Marvedoes.) Among those Countries that now belong to Portugal the chiefest is Brasile,* being a long tract of Land in America, ex∣tended all along the Sea side, but very narrow, and famous for the wholsomness of the Air, and its Ferti∣lity. Here abundance of Sugar is made, from whence arises the main Revenue of the Country, the Portu∣gueses making use of the same in preserving those ex∣cellent Fruits as grow both in Portugal and Brasile. Brasile also affords Ginger, Cotton, Wooll, Indigo and Wood for the Dyers. But because the Natives of this Country are naturally lazy, who cannot by any ways be forced to hard labour, the Portugueses buy upon the Coast of Africa, and especially in Congo and Angola, Negroes, whom they use for Slaves, buying and selling them in Brasile as we do Oxen; they are employed in all sorts of hardships and drudgery.* The Trade of the Portugueses on the West side of Africa is not now of any great consequence, since the Hollan∣ders have interfered with them; and those places which they are possess'd of on the East side of Africa Page  96 only serve to enrich their Governours. What the Hol∣landers have left them in the East Indies is of no small consequence to them;* for Goa is a very large City, where there is a great Trade among People of all Nations: But the wiser fort do not approve of the Por∣tuguese Government in the East Indies; the Portu∣gueses there are given to Voluptuousness, and neglect∣ing Military Affairs, are so presumptuous, as to ima∣gine, that nevertheless with their haughty Carriage they can out-brave others. Hence it was that the Hollanders found it so easie to drive this Nation out of the great∣est part of the Indies, which was grown hatefull to them all: Yet the Portugueses enjoy one Privilege which the Dutch have not, that they are allowed a free Trade with China, where they have the City of Macao in an Island not far distant from the Continent; and they have understood so to mis-represent the Hollanders with the Chineses, that they, hitherto, as far as I know, they have not been able to obtain a free Com∣merce with China.* Formerly the Portugueses had a great Interest in Japan, which was chiefly procured by means of the Jesuites, who made it their business to convert the Japoneses to the Christian Religion. It is related, that above 400000 of them were baptized, not without hopes, that all the rest would at last have followed their example. But about thirty years a∣go, the Dutch, by their Practices and Artifices, ren∣der'd the Portugueses suspected to the Emperour of Ja∣pan, having intercepted a Letter from the Jesuits to the Pope, wherein they promised to bring, ere long, the whole Kingdom of Japan under the Obedience of the Roman See. The Hollanders interpreted this Let∣ter in such a sense, as if the Jesuits, with the assistance of the new Converts, did intend to dethrone the Em∣perour; telling him, That the Pope pretended to an Authority of disposing of Kingdoms at his pleasure, and that the King of Spain who was then Master of Portugal, was in great esteem with him. The jealous Japoneses were easily persuaded hereof, when they considered with what Respect and Kindness the Jesu∣its were treated by the new Christians; those being also very ready to accept of what these good natur'd Page  97 People offered them. And the Governours were sen∣sible, and complained, that their usual Presents from the Subjects decreased daily, since the new Converts gave so much to their Priests. The Hollanders also shew'd the Emperour of Japan in a Mapp, how the Conquests of the King of Spain did extend on one side as far as Manilla, on the other side as far as Ma∣cao, so that by subduing of Japan, he would have an opportunity of uniting his Conquests. This occasion∣ed a most horrible Persecution against the Christians, the Japoneses endeavouring by incredible Torments to overcome the Constancy of a Nation, which is natu∣rally one of the most obstinate. Neither did they cease, till there was not one Christian left in Japan, and the Portugueses, upon pain of death, were for e∣ver banish'd the Country. And the Hollanders, when afterwards they sent any Ships to Japan, used to for∣bid their Subjects, to shew the least appearance of Religious Christian Worship, but if they were ask'd, Whether they were Christians, to answer, They were not, but they were Hollanders. Lastly, To Portugal belong also the Isles called Azores, whereof Tercera, and the Isle Madera, which are tolerably fruitfull, are the principal.

§. 10. From what hath been said, it is apparent,* that the welfare of Portugal depends chiefly on their Commerce with the East Indies, Brasile and Africa; whereby also it is evident enough, that the Strength and Power of Portugal in comparison of the rest of the more potent States of Europe is not to be esteemed such, as to be able to attack any of them, or gain any thing upon them. It is therefore the Interest of this Crown to take care how to preserve it self in the same conditi∣on as it is in now, and to be very cautious of engaging it self in a War with any Nation that is potent at Sea, which perhaps might undertake something against their Provinces abroad.* But as for its Neighbours in particular; Portugal is for the most part nearest unto Spain, so that it is easie for the Spaniards to enter Portugal, yet is the Power of Spain not very dreadfull to the Portugueses, partly, because the Spaniards can∣not Page  98 conveniently keep an Army of above 25000 Men on foot on that side, by reason of the scarcity of Pro∣visions; the like number the Portugueses also can bring into the Field; partly, because Spain cannot man out a considerable Fleet of Men of War wherewith to attack the Portuguese Provinces: Besides, Portugal in case of such an attack might certainly expect to be assisted either by the French or English, who as much as in them lies, will not suffer Spain to become again Master of Portugal.* Neither does it appear for the In∣terest of Portugal, upon the Instigation of France or some other Foreign Power, to engage it self without a pressing necessity in a War with Spain, since it is not probable that it could gain any thing considerable, but would only weaken it self without the hopes of a∣ny advantage: Portugal has, in all probability, not much to fear from France, they lying at a considerable distance from one another; besides this, the Naval Strength of France is not come, as yet, to that height, as to be in a capacity to be hurtfull to a Nation that has settled it self very securely in the East and West Indies; and more especially, since these two Nations have not any pretensions on each other: And it ra∣ther concerns France that Portugal may stand secure against Spain and Holland.* The Hollanders have hi∣therto proved the most pernicious Enemies to Portu∣gal, they being in a capacity not only to disturb their Trade on the Coast of Portugal, but also may prove very troublesom to them both in the East and West Indies: And it seems, that it would be no difficult matter for the Hollanders, by taking from the Portu∣gueses the City of Macao, on the Coast of China, and some other places on the Coast of Malabar, quite to destroy their Trade in the East Indies. But it is pro∣bable, that, in case of a War betwixt the Portugueses and Hollanders, England would assist the former a∣gainst the latter, since it has not been without great Displeasure to the English, to see what progresses the Hollanders have made in the East Indies, whereby they have acquired such vast Riches, that they have •id defiance to England and all the rest of Europe.