The Commands laid upon him were so plain and positive, that the Duke could not put off his Journey without justly encreasing his Suspicion. He plainly foresaw, that if he did not obey those Orders, the Court of _Madrid_ would take some such Measures as might prove fatal to him, and wholly destroy their Projection; he would not therefore refuse to obey, but made part of his Houshold immediately set out, and take the _Madrid_ Road. In the presence of the Courier he gave several Orders relating to the Conduct of those he left his Deputy-Governours, and in all respects behav'd himself like a Man who was going a long Journey. He dispatch'd a Gentleman to the Vice-Queen, to give her notice of his Departure, and wrote to _Olivarez_, that he would be at _Madrid_ in eight Days time at farthest; and that he might engage the Courier to report all these things, he made him a considerable Present, under pretence of rewarding him for his expeditious Haste, in bringing him Letters from the King, and his first Ministers. At the same time he let the Conspirators know what new Orders he had receiv'd from Court, that they might see the Danger of deferring the Execution of their Design; but they were scarce in a Capacity of assisting him, an Accident having happen'd, which had almost broken all their Measures. There was at _Lisbon_ a Nobleman, who on all Occasions had shewn an immortal Hatred to the _Spanish_ Government; he never call'd them any thing but Tyrants and Usurpers, and would openly rail at their unjust Proceedings, but nothing anger'd him more than the Expedition of _Catalonia_: _d'Almada_ having taken care to fall often into his Company, thought there was not a truer-hearted _Portuguese_ in the whole Kingdom, and that no one would more strenuously labour for their Liberty. But oh Heaven! how great was his Surprize! when having taken him aside, and discover'd the whole Conspiracy to him, this base, this cowardly Wretch, whose whole Courage was plac'd in his Tongue, refus'd to have any hand in the Business, or to engage himself with the Conspirators, pretending that their Plot had no solid Foundation: Bold and adventrous where no Danger was, but fearful and daunted as soon as it appear'd. "Have you, _said he to_ Almada, Forces enough to undertake so great a thing? Where is your Army to oppose the Troops of _Spain_, who upon the first News of the Revolt will enter the Kingdom? What Grandees have you at your head? Can they furnish you with Money sufficient to defray the Expence of a Civil War? I fear, _continued he_, that instead of revenging yourselves on the _Spaniards_, and freeing _Portugal_ from Slavery, you will utterly ruin it, by giving the _Spaniards_ a specious Pretence for doing what they have been so long endeavouring at."