214 A REPORT OF THE SPANISH GRIEVANCES. 



reason to stand upon equal terms with Spain, yet 

 nevertheless is by express capitulation debarred. 

 The subjects of Portugal, whom the state of Spain 

 hath studied by all means to content, are likewise 

 debarred : such a vigilant dragon is there that 

 keepeth this golden fleece ; yet nevertheless, such 

 was his majesty s magnanimity in the debate and 

 conclusion of the last treaty, as he would never con 

 descend to any article, importing the exclusion of 

 his subjects from that trade : as a prince that would 

 not acknowledge that any such right could grow to the 

 crown of Spain by the donative of the pope, whose 

 authority he disclaimeth ; or by the title of a dis 

 persed and punctual occupation of certain territories 

 in the name of the rest ; but stood firm to reserve 

 that point in full question to farther times and 

 occasions ; so as it is left by the treaty in suspence, 

 neither debarred nor permitted : the tenderness and 

 point of honour whereof was such, as they that went 

 thither must run their own peril. Nay, farther his 

 lordship affirmed, that if yet at this time his majesty 

 would descend to a course of intreaty for the release 

 of the arrests in those parts, and so confess an ex 

 clusion, and quit the point of honour, his majesty 

 might have them forthwith released. And yet his 

 lordship added, that the offences and scandals of 

 some had made this point worse than it was, in 

 regard that this very last voyage to Virginia, in 

 tended for trade and plantation, where the Spaniard 

 hath no people nor possession, is already become 

 infamed for piracy. Witness Bingley, who first 



