Pedro was feeling very happy and proud as he dismounted just outside the Cadeia Velha, or the Old Prison, where the Constituent and Legislative Assembly of the Empire of Brazil was about to convene. The Brazilian War of Independence was going well, Leopoldina had borne him another daughter who they had named Paula after the city where Brazil's independence had been declared, and best of all, he had found Domitilia a home in Mataporcos, halfway between the Imperial Palace and Boa Vista Palace.
He strode into the chamber, where he was welcomed by José Bonifácio who asked him about how the Empress and the princesses were faring. After receiving several minutes of acclaim from the deputies, Pedro sat on his throne, where he gave his speech:
"Today is the greatest day Brazil has known, a day on which it for the first time starts to show the world that it is an Empire and a free Empire."
The applause and the cheering was deafening, and it was several minutes before the Emperor was able to resume his speech:
"As Constitutional Emperor, as most especially as Perpetual Defender of this Empire, I said to the people on December 1st last year, when I was crowned and consecrated - that with my sword I would defend the Homeland, the Nation, and the Constitution, if it were worthy of Brazil and of me. A Constitution in which the three powers are well divided. A Constitution that, by placing inaccessible barriers to despotism, whether royal, aristocratic, or democratic, chases away anarchy and places the tree of liberty in whose shade should grow the union, tranquility and independence of this Empire, which will be the wonder of the old and new world."
Pedro took a quick glance at his notes, and then resumed:
"All the Constitutions, which in the manner of 1791 and 1792 have established their bases, and have wanted to organise themselves, experience has shown us that they are totally theoretical and metaphysical, and therefore unworkable: so proves France, Spain and, lately, Portugal. They have not, as they should, made the general happiness, but rather, after a licentious liberty, in some countries we see despotism is already appearing, and in others is soon to appear, in one, after having been exercised by many, the necessary consequence being that the peoples are reduced to the sad situation of witnessing and suffering all the horrors of anarchy."
There was a bit of murmuring at those words: some of the deputies were in full agreement with their Emperor, while others were unhappy at his warnings against "licentious liberty".
"So", Pedro concluded, "it is vital to prevent abuses not just by the Emperor but also by the political class and the general populace. I trust that the Constitution you are going to frame will merit my Imperial acceptance, being sufficiently wise, just and appropriate for the locality and civilisation of the Brazilian people. It is especially important not to enact laws that shall not be respected."
He then left the chamber, accompanied by applause, and made his way to a balcony on the Imperial Palace, next door to the Cadeia Velha, to watch the proceedings.
José Bonifácio now got to his feet.
"Honourable deputies", he announced, "having all heard and attended to the wise words of His Imperial Majesty the Emperor, it is now time for us to begin our great work. I would especially hope that you will concur with my own proposals for our Constitution, as it was I who guided His Imperial Majesty to declare our glorious liberty."
"Liberty for you, that is!", came a shout from across the chamber. "You call it liberty, sir, when those who disagree with you and your brothers are exiled or imprisoned? When newspapers you don't like are shut down?"
All eyes turned towards the speaker. He was a short, fat little man with wild dark hair: his name was Sebastião Pinto.
"Senhor Pinto!", laughed José Bonifácio. "That fat man who can't tidy his hair? Who thinks he knows more about running the country than I do? Than the Emperor does?"
"Listen, Senhor Andrada", replied Pinto, now standing up, his body shaking, "I am here to tell you your days of running this country are over. Brazil will be governed for the benefit of the people, not you and your brothers."
"And how do you think you can stop me?", mocked José Bonifácio. "I, who have the ear of the Emperor? How foolish to even think it! The Emperor will never listen to a subversive republican like you!"
"The Emperor is not your puppet!", shouted back Pinto. "I will demonstrate to him that you have given him very bad advice: once he sees that, you will be finished!"
Pinto sat down defiantly, while José Bonifácio laughed out loud: he apparently did not notice that so many of the other deputies were murmuring in agreement with his opponent.
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