MANY will wonder, what feel­ings I have to bee detain'd in a place so unsuitable to my Condi­tion, whilest few vouchsafe mee their Commiseration, all deem me worthy of reproofe. Truly I do acquiesce in this to mee harsh tenour of English Justice, and o­bey it without resistance, to this universall and unde­served hatred towards me and ours. Notwithstanding because I am conscious of my owne intentions herein, I cannot but grieve to see the whole envy and malice of this affair pursue only my part, not having given (neither the first nor the 2. time) any occasion for it, without per­mitting that we remote strāgers frō our native country injoy any pity at all. Much I am afflicted that few cherish my cause, most withstand it, and as it were none inter­pose themselves to ascribe this unhappy accident (as really it ought) to chance, rather than to malice, to the ignorance of some particulars, than to the pertinacy of all, to the reciprocall hurly-burly, than to the pre­tended [Page 4]violence of one onely side. This I onely say, to that end that I may lay open the business, and intentions herein so to bee made apparent to the most beloved Gentry and People of England, that all may more ea­sily compassionate my Person and condition, and restore to mee and ours againe their love and favour, which truly in these circumstances I equally value with my life.

It no wise can bee conceived how deeply I am struck, when I reflect that I am come to that point, that nei­ther I in my proper Cause, nor others can bee heard for mee, many imagining their aime and honour to withstand me as much as is possible; yea, and that those who assist mee heerein therefore are dee­med principals in the act. Whence to you all who read these I leave it to bee judged, what an unspeaka­ble griefe I must needs inwardly feele, when I heare such strange speeches against me every where in this City, and that only for my sake my Countrey men all and Nation displease them. Truly if it were as at first it is now bruited, I might justly seeme a madman to­wards my Brother, most uncivil to all the English Gentry, and ingratefull to all this City wherein I have so long been & so well known: But these fore-running discourses at first discredit themselves by their variety, and afterwards totally become groundlesse.

1. Should I, as it is said, oppresse the English, or withstand them from whom my Brother sent hither particularly by my King demands peace and amity, and under whose protection wee all are? should I commit by such a levity everlasting by mee to bee repented, that I should not also seem to intend what my Brother [Page 5]with so much paines hitherto endeavoured to effect? I would not have been so great an enemy to my selfe, both in the opinion of my Brother, and in the esteeme of my King, in whose hands it lies to dispose of my whole life, honour, and fortune; which since it is so, I confide none will exaggerate my Cause, or accuse mee beyond Reason.

2. Should I hate the English Gentry? alas, I am a Gentleman my self, and indeed I much ever desired to deserve their love & esteem: I never would have dream'd such a folly, unlesse I had first forgot my owne birth, in which so far I am from doing wrong, that I endea­voured to shew my selfe, as I was able, a true follow­er of my Brother, whom I still perceived and noted heartily desirous to oblige all Gentlemen, by whatsoe­ver manner of civility and kindnesse hee could afford them.

3. Should I lastly on set purpose bring, I know not what Armes to besiege the Exchange? I witnesse hea­ven, and beg pardon first of all this Common-wealth, to which I totally submit my selfe, then againe of my deare Brother, if either of them harbour such an opini­on of my deportments: nay, if by chance I had indis­creetly offended in this kinde, it might have been ascri­bed to my unexperienced youth and pardonable, but every indifferent Judge will finde mee to have onely sought to defend my selfe and honour, and not in the least to offend others. And I sweare to Heaven, I knew nothing of what is spoke of powder which was found in a Hackney Coach.

Some will object, why would I goe and meet the threats I might have before heard of? first, I believ'd [Page 6]no such threats, which I conjectured could not proceed but from a very few, especially when I reflected of the great civilities and kindnesses which for this yeare and more had been betwixt the English and Portugall Gen­try, and that all differences might be decided by some other handsom mean & not by the like threats. Again, how could I imagine any hindrance to go to so publick a place, which I see open to all Nations, even to the basest sort of people? if I had been forbidden any pri­vate house, by its owner, or by a Decree of Parliament from any publick place, I had kept home and not stirr'd, to manifest with joy and promptnesse my obedience therin to this Common-wealth. And thus I fear'd none, nor suspected in the least, that any would assault mee when they saw mee unarm'd, neither did I thinke that a publick place could defend me, when my Brothers house is patent to all. Notwithstanding being danger of life and honour must bee provided against, I would not go totally unprepared, in case any where I should be offended.

Comming therefore to the Exchange as I was wont to doe, on the 21. of November 1653. so to gaine and increase love and acquaintance with the English Gen­tlemen, I walked with a certaine English man new ar­rived from Portugall, who assured mee of the civilities he injoyed among my Country-men there: As we two thus hand in hand discoursed, behold, on a sudden, an English Gentleman obtrudes himselfe betwixt us with great violence: I regarded not this untill I heard that party & my companion at variance. At this though I understood little, yet I very much resented it, because I carnestly wished nothing of scandall attempted where [Page 7]I might have any thing to doe This was my minde then, as they will easily believe who behold mee with an impartiall eye. But what? out of hand the Gen­tleman casteth at me most contumelious words, repea­ting them twice or thrice in the French tongue, against mee alone who had not offended him, calling mee Jean Foutre, Brugher, and Coquin: I pray what flesh alive in these conjunctures could have contain'd himselfe from taking a just revenge? Let any speake whether he could have patiently took the like injurious words from me: if not, why should it be my charge and only blame, not to have been then so patient as to hold my hands without repelling him, making at mee in so scurvy a manner? Tis true, I then rushed upon him, yet naked as I was without either sword, or any weapon that could doe him the harme hee in that mutiny received. Here quickly a world of English crouded about me, by whom I was unkindly, yea harshly abused, and by na­ked swords drawne against my life, compelled to with­draw my selfe thence as I could, especially perceiving none there so favourable as would either speak or stand in my behalfe.

Upon this I was no little afflicted, and tenderly felt what was acted against mee a Gentleman, a stran­ger, and innocent, if I had beene rightly un­derstood, against whom none in my owne Countrey durst have attempted so much, if not for the honour of my deportment, at least for the respect and duty of my Birth. I say no more but leave it to your commisera­tion to reflect how deeply I resented this. I know you are well instructed all in those wholsome Counsels of holy Writ, and therefore with greater confidence I now [Page 8]and ever did cast my selfe into your armes fearing no­thing, Levit, 19. v. 33. And if a stranger sojourn with thee in your Land, ye shall not vex him. Exod. 22. v. 21. Thou shalt neither vex a stranger nor oppresse him, for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt. Exod. 23. v. 9. Also thou shalt not oppress a stranger, for ye know the heart of a stranger, seeing ye were strangers in the Land of Egypt. I am sorry that the Gen­tleman cause of all this should have been wounded, and if any of my followers did it, I am the more sorry, al­though 'twere done in my defence. But I call God to witnesse I had not so much as a pin in my hand then by which I could in the least harme him.

With these unhandsome injuries I thought to have rested, hoping the party that had affronted me would have been sensible of what he had done, and so I would have deem'd my selfe sufficiently satisfied. But what? There were several who abused divers Portugal Gentle­men then casually walking, with blows and words. Nay, the Gentleman of whose wound was complained so much, assisted by many others meeting a Portugal Gen­tleman ignorant of what had passed, rushed upon him, & with a blow in the face, wanted but a little to put out one of his eyes.

I was an am sure all this did proceed but from some few ill affected persons, and therefore the day fol­lowing, I esteemed it superfluous to looke to my selfe more than usually.

I slighted those who then publickly bragged that no Portugals should dare to returne and expatiate there a­gaine: for I should much have admir'd, if from the plurality of this Nation so deare to us all such hard speeches and prohibitions had proceeded, especially re­membring [Page 9]how all English, and particularly Gentle­men, are, and have alwayes been lov'd and honour'd in my Countrey, where Portugal against Portugal would have boldly and laudably stood for any stranger in such a rancounter, according to that Polyanthea, Verbo hospita­litatis redeo: Do no harme nor affront a Guest and stranger, do not so much as indanger his safety, &c.

Upon these considerations I came the next night to the Exchange, but with [...] farre other intent then I am accused of; I my selfe brought no arms at all, nor any of those that then entred with mee, so great was my confidence in the affection I hoped from the greatest part of whomsoever I should finde there sought for al­way & deserved by my Brother and my selfe. This I did on purpose perswading my selfe with sweet and civill language, and with my unarmed habit of both minde and body, to appease and moderate those that by chance might be there unsatisfied by reason of the mistake hap­pening the night before. I call God to witnesse who searcheth the secrets of hearts, and I appeale also to all the English Gentlemen, there to argue me, if hitherto I flinch from the truth.

For my selfe I stood not at all in awe of those threats which I was informed of, but some of our domesticks followed me of their owne accord, apprehending some danger in my behalfe, so to assist mee if need were, but only in a defensive way, wheresoever it were requi­site. 'Tis true, all are prone to love and respect me, to whom I will not give any thankes upon this occasion, but only resent and grieve that they should follow mee in so great a number, whose duty I assure them shall [Page 10]be lesse acceptable, because it was not expected; for I do protest I dream'd not of half so many as that night came after me. Although amōg these som had too many arms, as I said before, yet would not attempt any thing, if I should injoy quietly the liberty of my accustomed walk. I confide nothing can bee laid to their charge as done otherwise then I relate; yet if any thing were unto­wardly and foolishly cōmitted by any one of them, I be­seech it may not be or seeme my fault, who was seri­ously ignorant of it; and I would rigorously punish them, if my Brother but granted mee leave; nay, I would importune his Excellency, and my King also with bowed knees for such a power, so excessive is my sorrow for this most unhappy accident, in which I heare we have displeas'd so many of this City, and sin­gularly of the Exchange-Merchants, who have asser­ted many things wholly unknowne to mee against mee and ours.

It is hard to take away the first impressions so deeply grounded, yet I humbly beg of them all, that without any partiall love or aversion each one would say no more then his conscience dictates, and hee assuredly knows. I doubt not this I demand, for none can but pity us, seeing we are so small a company, so remote from our Countrey, and to that condition brought, that most are prone to censure and condemne us by the ve­ry name of Portugals, especially because the totall en­vy of all this businesse by most is onely ascribed to us. Let none I pray be so much our enemy as to exaggerate our crime above truth, but let all favour us for our for­mer affection, rather than hate us for this present event.

[Page 11]For you, Noble English Gentlemen, Pardon mee, if I were so touched with too quick a spurre of Honour, that nothing could retard me from comming to the se­cond, yet by me unexpected broyle. I never imagined what so unluckily fell out, but put a greater confidence in the civill Character I framed of each one (nor was I deceived in most) of a more kind and gallant dispositi­on then to give an origine or provocation to all this which presseth me alone. You know and experience, how ardent the thought of glory is in generous soules, whence I grant that I do not contemne my life, but I far more value my honour: although I protest if I could have foreseen what befell, for all those threats I had not come to the Exchange, but would have waved my ho­nour a little blemished by the indiscreet Counsels and threats of some few: I would not, I say, have ventured so before I had made my way by my civility to you all, and procured a better understanding reciprocally 'twixt both parties. But believe me I did not think it my duty either to fear or flie, or to be reconciled to any that just­ly would meet me there upon any unhandsome tearms, for indeed I was conscious that I had peradventure re­ceiv'd, but given no offence to any that would a right reflect and understand me.

Let here that English Gentleman speake, if he will honour and befriend mee so far in these my straights, for he must needs call to minde how I then carried my selfe: He first expostulated quietly with mee for what befel the night before, to whom I repli'd in all meekness & civility, that I was ready if need were to satisfie both him and all the English Gentry, as was fit for me to do [Page 12]and them to demand. This also I added and desi­red, that none should so mistake mee as to esteeme it any injury, contempt, or quarrell to them at all: for indeed the Portugall Gentry can neither presume, nor wish to contest with the English, from whom they seek and desire a firme and stable peace and union.

While thus things were carried, behold, all the Ex­change men with great noise shut up their shops, which I will not interpret to any ill intention against my per­son, for both I in French as I could, and divers En­glish Gentlemen cried out aloud, what's the businesse? what needs all this? to what purpose so great a change? Neverthelesse no Portugall did hitherto endeavour any hostility at all, untill such time as a Pistol was dischar­ged upon the very ascent of the lower walke to the higher; heer began the unhappy mutiny wherin so much ill follow'd, which I grieve as much as any English man whatever. Unhappy man! whose shot that was, a most rash action and cause of all this, whether English or Portugall, if taken he deserves no light punishment. I am sorry from the bottome of my heart, that my people should so love mee, as for the feare they conceiv'd of me to have made way through that throng to seek me. I am sorry, I say, because on both parts bloud was shed in that confusion.

For all this tell mee I pray why that which so un­happily fell out, should onely produce malice a­gainst mee and ours? is it because that powder was found in a Coach? I doe protest before Almighty God, I knew nothing of that; nay, I hope that my Bro­ther will not leave him unpunished who committed so [Page 13]undiscreet an action, not onely thereby to give satisfa­ction to this deserving Gentry and loving people, but to my selfe also, seeing for that and such other incon­siderate and tumultuous actions I suffer these no ordina­ry things, and very disproportionable to my per­son.

This I write to shew my inclinations impartially for Portugals and English, both whom I desire to be dear, yea, & to give the truest relation I could of all this busi­ness, with my intentions therein. I doubt not but my Brother, as the greatnesse of this affaire required, hath made his addresses to the most Excellent Counsel, to whose prudence and safe-guard I commit my selfe: nay, I trust and relie more to the pietie of this Nation to­wards strangers, and people remote from their Coun­trey, then to this Narration of mine which hath no o­ther defence for me but naked truth, which I lay before the eyes of all this City, that none have a partiall aver­sion for me and ours, though otherwise this businesse hitherto as I heare in Newes Books related, might justly deserve.

I ask lastly in all humility of all the English Gentry, that they will not esteem any wrong done them by me, since even what is effected was not, nor shall the like be ever intended by me or ours. Ascribe I pray you, this whole accident to chance rather than to deliberate envy, and pardon it for the Love our Nation hath ever borne to yours. So I demand mine from you Gentlemen, as my Brother for his King, peace and amity from all your Common-wealth. Unlesse I were too long, I would compassionate many who have suffered most in this un­fortunate [Page 14]chance, but such person or persons I will en­deavour to comfort and satisfie when I shall be delive­red from this prison, as much inferiour to my Native quality, as I hope above my misdemeanour. In the meane time I lament equally and more this sad conjun­cture then the humble and abject condition wherein I am, and so friendly subscribe my selfe,