There was no one now in the Court of _Madrid_ ignorant of the News, but the King himself; every one thought that he ought to be inform'd of it, yet no one dar'd undertake the ungrateful Task, for fear of incurring the Minister's Displeasure, whose implacable Temper they knew too well, to hope that he would ever forgive an Offence of this nature. At last the Duke, seeing that the Story was too well known to be any longer conceal'd from the King, and fearing that some of his Enemies, either to ingratiate or revenge themselves, should tell it in such a manner, that the whole Fault would seem to fall upon him, he resolv'd to be himself the Messenger, and coming up to the King, with a serene Look, and a Face on which a dissembled Joy sat confess'd, "I wish your Majesty Joy," _said he_, "of a noble Dutchy, and a fine Estate, which are lately fallen to you." "How _Olivarez!" answer'd the King_; "what do you mean?" "Mean!" _reply'd the Minister_; "why the Duke of _Braganza_ is run mad, the Mob have proclaimed him King of _Portugal_, and he has accepted the Title; so that now all he has is confiscated, and you have a good Pretence to rid yourself of the whole Family: Henceforwards you may reign King of _Portugal_, nor fear that any one will dispute your Title to that Kingdom." As weak a Prince as _Philip_ was, he easily comprehended the meaning of these words; but as he could no longer see but thro his Minister's Eyes, he only told him, That he must take care betimes to put an end to a Rebellion, whose Consequence might otherwise prove dangerous. [Sidenote: _Jan. 28. 1644._] Mean while the King of _Portugal_ took all the necessary Measures to confirm his new Authority. As soon as he came to _Lisbon_, he nam'd Governours for every Town of _Portugal_, as much distinguish'd for their Fidelity to him, as for their Experience and approv'd Valour; who immediately, with what Soldiers they could get together, went to take possession of their Command, and to put the Place in a posture of Defence. At the same time recruiting Commissions were given out; and the Solemnity of his Coronation being over, he call'd together the States of the Kingdom: in which, to prevent all the Doubts and Scruples which might rise in the Minds of the People, his Pretensions to the Crown were examin'd, and by a solemn Decree of the States he was acknowledg'd Rightful and Lawful King, as being descended from Prince _Edward_, Son to King _Emanuel_; whereas the King of _Spain_ was only descended from a Daughter of the same King _Emanuel_, who also by the Fundamental Laws of _Portugal_ was excluded the Succession, having espous'd a foreign Prince.