This Prince still kept a very good Correspondence with the Enemies of _Spain_, his Ports were open to the Fleets of _France_ and _Holland_; he had a Resident at _Barcelona_, and encourag'd the revolting _Catalonians_: in short, he did all he could to weaken _Spain_, not only by increasing the Rage of its Foes, but also by endeavouring to raise up new ones. To this end, he had already inclin'd the Duke _de Medina Sidonia_, his Brother-in-law, to rebel; whom the Marquiss _Daiamonti_, a _Castilian_, and their mutual Confidant, at length entirely seduced. This Nobleman was, as has been before observ'd, nearly related to the Queen of _Portugal_, and the Duke of _Medina_: He was Governour of a Place at the Mouth of the _Guadiano_, and just on the Frontiers of _Portugal_, which made it easy for him to keep a good Correspondence with that Court; nor did he question, but that by being serviceable to two such powerful Families, he should easily make his own Fortune. He was valiant, enterprizing, hated the first Minister, and at the same time did not in the least value his Life; a Quality so very necessary to those who embark themselves in any dangerous Design. He wrote privately to the Duke, to congratulate him upon the Discovery of the Archbishop's Plot, and the Preservation of the Life of the Queen his Sister, and all the Royal Family; he at the same time observ'd how grateful it must be to him to see the Crown of _Portugal_ one day adorn the Head of his Nephews, which made that Kingdom a sure Refuge for him in time of Distress: which perhaps might be too near at hand, since he could never reckon himself safe while _Olivarez_ was at the head of Affairs, whose only aim was to ruin all the Grandees; nor was it to be suppos'd that the crafty Statesman would long leave him Governour of so large a Province, and in the Neighbourhood of _Portugal_: That he would advise him seriously to reflect on all these things, and let him know his Resolutions; to which end he should send him a Person in whom he could confide, and to whom they both might safely trust their Secret. The Duke was naturally proud and ambitious, and with Envy had beheld his Brother-in-law raising himself to the Throne; nor would he, on his side, willingly neglect any Opportunity of doing the like. Believing by what the Marquiss said, that he had some very advantageous Proposal of this kind to make him, he sent _Lewis de Castile_, his Confidant, to _Daiamonti_, who seeing his Credentials, at once open'd his Mind, and bid him remember with what ease the Duke of _Braganza_ had made himself Master of the Crown of Portugal; nor could there ever be a more favourable time for the Duke of _Medina Sidonia_ to do the like, and make himself independent of the Crown of _Spain_.