This Discourse had its desir'd effect, by reminding every one of the many Evils which they had suffer'd. Each seem'd earnest to give some instance of _Vasconcellos_'s Cruelty. The Estates of some had been unjustly confiscated, whilst others had Hereditary Places and Governments taken from them; some had been long confin'd in Prisons thro the Jealousy of the _Spanish_ Ministers, and many bewail'd a Father, a Brother, or a Friend, either detain'd at _Madrid_, or sent into _Catalonia_ as Hostages of the Fidelity of their unhappy Countrymen. In short, there was not one of those who were engag'd in this Publick Cause, but what had some private Quarrel to revenge: but nothing provoked them more than the _Catalonian_ Expedition; they plainly saw, that it was not so much the want of their assistance, as the desire of ruining them, which made the _Spanish_ Minister oblige them to that tedious and expensive Voyage. These Considerations, join'd to their own private Animosities, made 'em unanimously resolve to venture Life and Fortune, rather than any longer to bear the heavy Yoke: but the Form of Government which they ought to chuse, caus'd a Division amongst them. Part of the Assembly were for making themselves a Republick, as _Holland_ had lately done; others were for a Monarchy, but could not agree upon the choice of a King: some propos'd the Duke of _Braganza_, some the Marquis de _Villareal_, and others the Duke _d'Aviedo_, (all three Princes of the Royal Blood of _Portugal_,) according as their different Inclinations or Interests byass'd them. But the Archbishop, who was wholly devoted to the House of _Braganza_, assuming the Authority of his Character, set forth with great strength of Reason, That the Choice of a Government was not in their power; that the Oath of Allegiance which they had taken to the King of _Spain_, could not in conscience be broken, unless it was with a design to restore their rightful Sovereign to the Throne of his Fathers, which every one knew to be the Duke of _Braganza_; that they must therefore resolve to proclaim him King, or for ever to continue under the Tyranny of the _Spanish_ Usurper. After this, he made 'em consider the Power and Riches of this Prince, as well as the great number of his Vassals, on whom depended almost a third part of the Kingdom. He shew'd 'em it was impossible for 'em to drive the _Spaniards_ out of _Portugal_, unless he was at their head: that the only way to engage him, would be by making him an Offer of the Crown, which they would be under a Necessity of doing, altho he was not the first Prince of the Royal Blood. Then began he to reckon all those excellent Qualities with which he was endow'd, as his Wisdom, his Prudence; but above all, his affable Behaviour, and inimitable Goodness. In short, his Words prevail'd so well upon every one, that they unanimously declared him their King, and promis'd that they would spare no Pains, no Endeavours to engage him to enter into