many internal disorders, retained nothing of
her former grandeur, except the haughty pride of her counsels, and
the hatred and jealousy of her neighbors. Portugal had rebelled,
and established her monarchy in the house of Braganza: Catalonia,
complaining of violated privileges, had revolted to France: Naples was
shaken with popular convulsions: the Low Countries were invaded with
superior forces, and seemed ready to change their master: the Spanish
infantry, anciently so formidable, had been annihilated by Conde in the
fields of Rocroy: and though the same prince, banished France, sustained
by his activity and valor the falling fortunes of Spain, he could only
hope to protract, not prevent, the ruin with which that monarchy was
visibly threatened.

Had Cromwell understood and regarded the interests of his country,
he would have supported the declining condition of Spain against the
dangerous ambition of France, and preserved that balance of power on
which the greatness and security of England so much depend. Had he
studied only his own interests, he would have maintained an exact
neutrality between those great monarchies; nor would he have hazarded
his ill-acquired and unsettled power by provoking foreign enemies who
might lend assistance to domestic faction, and overturn his tottering
throne. But his magnanimity undervalued danger; his active disposition
and avidity of extensive glory made him incapable of repose: and as the
policy of men is continually warped by their temper, no sooner was peace
made with Holland, than he began to deliberate what new enemy he should
invade with his victorious arms.

The extensive empire and yet extreme weakness of Spain in the West
Indies, the vigorous courage and great naval power of England, were
circumstances which, when compared, excited the ambition of the
enterprising protector, and made him hope that he might, by some gainful
conquest, render forever illustrious that dominion which he had assumed
over his country. Should he fail of these durable acquisitions, the
Indian treasures, which must every year cross the ocean to reach Spain,
were, he thought, a sure prey to the English navy, and would support
his military force without his laying new burdens on the discontented
people. From France a vigorous resistance must be expected: no plunder,
no conquests could be hoped for: the progress of his arms, even
if attended with success, must there be slow and gradual; and the
advant