Promises, and resolutely and courageously to finish what they had begun. As soon as he arriv'd at _Lisbon_, he deliver'd his Letters to _Almeida_ and _Mendoza_, who instantly sent for _Lemos_ and _Coreo_, whom _Pinto_ had long since engag'd in the Interest of his Master. These were two rich Citizens, who had gone thro all the Offices of the City, and had the People of it very much at their command; as they still carry'd on their Trade, there were a vast Number of poor People daily employ'd by 'em, and whose Hatred to the _Spaniards_ they had still taken care to encrease, by insinuating that there were new Taxes to be laid upon several things at the beginning of the next Year. When they observ'd any one of a fiery Temper, they would take care to discharge him, on pretence that the _Castilians_ had utterly ruin'd their Trade, and that they were no longer able to employ them; but their Aim was to reduce them to Poverty and Want, insomuch that Necessity should oblige them to revolt: but still would they extend their Charity towards them, that they might always have them at their service. Besides this, they had engag'd some of the ablest Merchants and Tradesmen in every part of _Lisbon_, and promis'd, that if the Conspirators would give 'em warning over night of the Hour they intended to rise, punctually at that time they would have half the City up in Arms. _Pinto_ being thus sure of the Citizens, turn'd his Thoughts to the other Conspirators: he advis'd them to be ready for the Execution of their Plot upon the first notice given them; that mean while he would have them pretend they had some private Quarrel, and engage their Friends to assist them, for many, he observ'd, were not fit to be entrusted with so important a Secret, and others could not in cold Blood behold the Dangers they must go thro, and yet both be very serviceable when Matters were ripe, and only their Swords wanted. [Sidenote: _Dec. 1. 1640._] Finding every body firm in their Resolutions, and impatient to revenge themselves upon the _Spaniards_, he conferr'd with _Almeida_, _Mendoza_, _Almada_, and _Mello_, who fix'd upon Saturday, the first of _December_, for the great, the important Day: Notice was immediately given to the Duke of _Braganza_, that he might cause himself to be proclaim'd King the same day in the Province of _Alentejo_, most part of which belong'd to him. After which they agreed upon meeting once more before the time. On the Twenty-fifth of _November_, according to their Agreement, they met at _Braganza-House_, where mustering their Forces, they found that they could depend upon about One Hundred and Fifty Gentlemen, (most of them Heads of Families) with their Servants and Tenants, and about Two Hundred substantial Citizens, who could bring with them a considerable Number of inferior Workmen.