The following day, on 2 December, he boarded a galley with João Rodrigues de Sá and went to summon the Spanish galleons to surrender.

Problems at court, both with other nobles and with the Queen Regent herself, Luísa de Gusmão, widow of King João IV, led to his replacement in the Government of the Arms of the Alentejo.

The Count commissioned his secretary, Duarte Ribeiro de Macedo, to write a manifesto outlining France's obligations to Portugal, a document that greatly upset Mazarin.

In 1660, he returned to Portugal, where he was still President of the Overseas Council,[3] but was banished to Loulé after gaining another enemy, the Count of Castelo Melhor.

[3] He was a commander of Castro Marim, of São Pedro das Várzeas in the town of Soure, and of Santa Maria da Beselga, all of the Order of Christ.