_Pinto_ having forced his way into the Palace, march'd at the head of those, who were to enter _Vasconcellos_'s Apartment, so undauntedly, and with so little concern, that meeting with an Acquaintance, who, surpriz'd and frighted, ask'd him, whither he was going with such a Number of arm'd Men, and what they design'd to do; "Nothing, _said he smiling_, but change our Master, rid you of a Tyrant, and give _Portugal_ their rightful King." Entring the Secretary's Apartment, the first Person they met with was the[E] _Civil Corregidor_; who, thinking that the Noise he heard proceeded from some private Quarrel, would have interpos'd his Authority, but hearing a Cry of _Long live the Duke of_ Braganza, _&c._ thought he was in honour oblig'd to cry out _Long live the King of_ Spain _and_ Portugal: but he lost his Life for his ill-tim'd Loyalty, one of the Conspirators immediately shooting him thro the Head. _Antonio Correa_, first Clerk of the Secretary's Office, ran out to know the Occasion of this Tumult. This was the Man who was employ'd in oppressing the People, and who, after the Example of his Master, treated the Nobility of the Kingdom with Scorn and Contempt; therefore as soon as he appear'd, Don _Antonio de Menezes_ plung'd his Sword into his Bosom. But the Blow not ending either his Life or Pride, and thinking that they had mistaken him, he turn'd towards _Menezes_, his Eyes sparkling with Rage and Indignation, and, in a passionate manner, cry'd out, _Villain! darest thou strike me?_ But _Menezes_, without answering, redoubled his Blows; and the other, having receiv'd four or five Stabs, fell down: However, none of the Wounds prov'd mortal, and he escap'd at that time, to lose his Life afterwards in an ignominious manner, by the hands of the common Hangman. This Business had stop'd the Conspirators, but as soon as _Correa_ fell, they all rush'd forwards towards _Vasconcellos_'s Apartment. There was with him, at that time, Don _Garcez Palleia_, a Captain of Foot; who seeing so many arm'd Men, immediately concluded, that their Design was to butcher the Secretary. And altho' he was under no manner of Obligation to that Minister, yet he thought himself in honour oblig'd to lend him what Assistance he could; wherefore standing at the Door, with his Sword in hand, he barr'd that Passage: but one of the Conspirators running him thro' the Arm, and several, who were unwilling to give him fair play, pressing forward, he was glad to make his Escape, by leaping out of a Window.