When he was with those, of whose Disaffection he was already convinc'd, he would take care to turn his Discourse to his Master, and talk of his manner of Living. He would often complain, that that Prince shew'd too little Affection for the Good of his Country, and Concern for his own Interest; and that at a time when it was in his power to assert his Title to the Crown, he should seem so regardless of his own Right, and lead so idle a Life. Finding that these Insinuations made an impression upon the People, he went still farther: To those who were publick-spirited, he represented what a glorious thing it would be for them to lay the Foundations of a Revolution, and to deserve the Name of _Deliverers of their Country_. Those who had been injur'd and ill-treated by the _Spaniards_, he would excite to the Desire of Revenge; and the Ambitious he flatter'd with a Prospect of the Grandeurs and Preferments they might expect from the new King, would they once raise him to the Throne. In short, he manag'd every thing with so much Art, that being privately assur'd of the unshaken Affection of many to his Master, he procur'd a Meeting of a considerable Number of the Nobility, with the Archbishop of _Lisbon_ at the head of them. This Prelate was of the House of _Acugna_, one of the best Families of all _Portugal_; he was a Man of Learning, and an excellent Politician, belov'd by the People, but hated by the _Spaniards_, and whom he had also just cause to hate, since they had made Don _Sebastian Maltos de Norognia_, Archbishop of Braga, President of the Chamber of _Opaco_, whom they had all along prefer'd to him, and to whom they had given a great share in the Administration of Affairs. Another of the most considerable Members of this Assembly, was Don _Miguel d'Almeida_, a venerable old Man, and who deserv'd, and had the Esteem of every body; he was very publick-spirited, and was not so much griev'd at his own private Misfortunes, as at those of his Country, whose Inhabitants were become the Slaves of an usurping Tyrant. In these Sentiments he had been educated, and to these with undaunted Courage and Resolution he still adher'd; nor could the Entreaties of his Relations, nor the repeated Advices of his Friends, ever make him go to Court, or cringe to the _Spanish_ Ministers. This Carriage of his had made them jealous of him. This therefore was the Man whom _Pinto_ first cast his eyes upon, being well assur'd that he might safely entrust him with the Secret; besides which, no one could be more useful in carrying on their Design, his Interest with the Nobility being so great, that he could easily bring over a considerable Number of them to his Party.