* * * * * [Sidenote: 1640.] The Duke _d'Olivarez_, seem'd to approve of the Excuse, and therefore began to think of some new Expedient to draw him to Court. The King's marching at the head of his Army to the Frontiers of _Arragon_, to suppress the rebelling _Catalonians_, was a very good Pretence; he wrote to the Duke of _Braganza_, "to come at the head of the _Portuguese_ Nobility to serve the King in an Expedition, which could not but be glorious, since his Majesty commanded it in Person." The Duke, who had no great relish for any Favour confer'd by the Court of _Spain_, excus'd himself, upon pretence that "his Birth would oblige him to be at a much greater Expence than what he was at present able to support." This second Refusal alarm'd _d'Olivarez_. Notwithstanding Don _John_'s easy Temper, he began to be afraid that the _Evorians_ had made an impression upon his Thoughts, by reminding him of his Right to the Throne. It was dangerous to leave him any longer in his Country, and equally dangerous to hurry him out of it by force; so great a Love had the _Portuguese_ ever bore to the House of _Braganza_, so great a Respect did they bear to this Duke in particular. He must therefore treacherously be drawn into _Spain_, nor could any properer means be thought of, for compassing this end, than by shewing him all the seeming Tokens of an unfeigned Friendship. _France_ and _Spain_ were at that time engag'd in War, and the _French_ Fleet had been seen off the Coasts of _Portugal_. This gave the _Spanish_ Minister a fair opportunity of accomplishing his Ends; for it was necessary to have an Army on foot, under the Command of some brave General, to hinder the _French_ from making a Descent, or landing any where in _Portugal_. The Commission was sent to the Duke of _Braganza_, with an absolute Authority over all the Towns and Garisons, as well as a Power over the Maritime Forces; in short, so unlimited was the Command given him, that the Minister seem'd blindly to have deliver'd all _Portugal_ into his power: but this was only the better to colour his Design. Don _Lopez Ozorio_, the _Spanish_ Admiral, had private Orders sent him, that as soon as Don _John_ should visit any of the Ports, he should put in, as if drove by stress of Weather; then artfully invite the General aboard, immediately hoist sail, and with all possible expedition bring him into _Spain_. But propitious Fortune seem'd to have taken him into her Protection; a violent Storm arose, which dispers'd the _Spanish_ Fleet, part of which suffer'd shipwreck, and the rest were so shatter'd, that they could not make _Portugal_.