In this Assembly the King declar'd, that he would content himself with his own Estate, and that the usual Royal Revenue should be apply'd to the defraying of the extraordinary Expences, and paying the Debts of the Kingdom. And the better to ingratiate himself with the People, he took off all the Taxes which the oppressing _Spaniards_ had laid upon them. To all the considerable Offices and Employments he promoted those of the Conspirators, whose Birth and Capacity might give them just Pretensions to it, and who had shewn the greatest Desire of raising him to the Throne. In this Promotion no notice was taken of _Pinto_; the King did not think his Royalty sufficiently confirm'd, to venture at raising one of his Servants, and whose Extraction was but mean. However, the Prince was not in the least unmindful of his Service, and without having the Title of a Minister of State, he had the Authority of one; so great was his Influence over his Master, and such entire Confidence did he repose in him. Having given all the necessary Orders within the Kingdom, he resolv'd to assure himself of some foreign Assistance in case of necessity, as well by making strict Alliances with all the Enemies of _Spain_, as by raising them new ones. To this end he endeavour'd to persuade the Duke of _Medina Sidonia_, Governour of _Andalusia_, and his Brother-in-law, to follow his Example, shake off the _Spanish_ Yoke, and make himself an independent Prince. The Marquiss _Daiamonti_, a _Spanish_ Nobleman, and related to the Queen of _Portugal_, was to negotiate this Business, the Success of which will be seen in the Sequel of this History. The King of _Portugal_ made a League offensive and defensive with the _Dutch_; _France_ promis'd him its Protection, and he sent Ambassadors to all the Courts of _Europe_, that his Title might be acknowledg'd by their Princes. But the King of _Spain_ was so destitute of Men, _Catalonia_ employing all his Forces, that he did very little all that Campaign for the Recovery of _Portugal_, and even what he did undertake met with no Success. Some little time after this, News was brought that _Goa_, and all those other Places which belong'd to _Portugal_, whether in the _Indies_, _Africa_, or in _Peru_, had follow'd the Example of their _European_ Masters, and revolted from the _Spaniards_. Thus was the King flatter'd with the Prospect of a happy Reign, and rejoic'd to see Peace and Tranquillity preserv'd within his Kingdom, whilst his Arms met with Success abroad; little suspecting the Danger which threaten'd his Life and Crown, both which he had almost lost by a cursed Conspiracy, which was form'd even in the midst of that Prince's Court.