Page:The Queens of England.djvu/521

 CATHERINE OF BRAGANZA. 471 during his minority, and who by her beauty, talents, and prudence preserved the kingdom from Spain. Catherine was their third child and only daughter. She was born November 25th, 1638, two years before her father mounted the throne of Portugal, and proceeded to achieve its independence. When Catherine had just completed her sev- enth year, her father proposed an alliance between her and the young Prince of "Wales ; but Charles the First did not re- spond to the proposition. Seventeen years afterwards, when Catherine was two-and-twenty, and Charles the Second had regained the throne of England, the same proposal was re- newed. By her mother's instructions, Don Francisco de Melo, the ambassador to the English court, was ordered to propose the hand of the princess to Charles, who was informed, through the medium of the Earl of Manchester, his Lord Chamberlain, that 500,000/. sterling would be given as her dower, together with the fortress of Tangiers in Africa, the Island of Bombay, and free trade for the English to the Brazils. The faith of Catherine, who had been brought up a Catholic, presented in- deed an obstacle to the alliance ; but it was suggested that, as she was ignorant alike of business and politics, she would be content with enjoying her own views, without interfering with those of others, her temper being naturally gentle and submis- sive. The marriage, which was discussed in Council, was warmly seconded by Lord Clarendon ;* and meeting no opposi- tion, Charles, tempted by the golden bribe of the dowry, deputed the Portuguese ambassador to return with an account of his favorable reception to his own country, and to obtain a ratification of the treaty ; that treaty which has ever since bound the two crowns of England and Portugal in a strict alliance. Don Francisco de Melo had been also the bearer of a letter in Charles' own hand, in which he addressed the Infanta as his wife. Notwithstanding, the match was nearly broken off by the interest of the Earl of Bristol, then high in Charles' favor, and who was supported by Don Louis de Haro, then ambas- sador from Spain in the English court, whose influence was exerted in behalf of Spain, then opposed to Portugal. This is certain that the Queen-Mother, Henrietta Maria, desired it might take place because the Princess was a catholic,
 * Some indeed think this statesman first suggested the match, and it