Pedro stood on the balcony of the Imperial Palace holding a copy of the newly ratified Political Constitution of the Empire of Brazil. A crowd had gathered.
"So", he proudly announced, "the great work is complete, and we now have a constitution to guarantee liberty in this empire for all time. Article I states that Brazil shall not enter any bond of union or federation with any other state contrary to her independence. The legislative power shall be vested in the General Assembly, which consists of two chambers, the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate. Deputies shall serve a four-year term, and senators shall hold office for life. In each locality, the people shall vote for electors representing each province, and these electors shall choose the deputies, as well as three men for each vacancy in the Senate: I shall appoint one of those three to be a senator. In each chamber, representation shall be apportioned by the total population of each province, including slaves. The right to vote shall belong to all male citizens over the age of 25, or over 21 in the case of married men, with an annual income of at least 100,000 réis. Any amendments to the Constitution shall require the approval of two consecutive General Assemblies, either side of an election."
After taking a brief glance at the Constitution to refresh his memory, Pedro continued:
"The executive power shall be headed by me, and exercised by the Council of Ministers, whose members I shall appoint and dismiss. Treaties shall be signed by me, and ratified by the General Assembly. Each province shall be headed by a president chosen by me, and advised by provincial councils elected by the people. The judicial power shall be vested in the Supreme Court of Justice and any lower courts which may be established by the General Assembly."
Pedro was starting to feel excited: he had now come to what he thought was the most important part of the Constitution.
"There shall also be a fourth power, the moderating power, which is the key to all political organisation, and which I shall wield. This shall enable me to break deadlocks and ensure the functioning of government in accordance with the Constitution and in the interests of the nation. I shall have the power to convene the General Assembly in extraordinary sessions. I can also veto legislation: however, any veto shall be suspensive, lasting for two years only. I may dissolve the Chamber of Deputies and call new elections at my discretion, pardon criminals, and reduce but not increase sentences. There shall also be a Council of State, composed of 10 members appointed for life, with whom I must consult on a regular basis and prior to any exercise of the moderating power, but I shall have the final decision in such matters. The right of succession to the throne shall belong to my descendants born in lawful wedlock: the closer in degree of kinship over the more distant; among those of the same degree, the male line over the female line; among those of the same sex, the elder line over the younger line. If a future Emperor should accede before the age of 18, the nearest person in the line of succession who is above that age shall be the regent: if there is no one in the imperial family who is of age, the General Assembly shall elect a council of three men to exercise the regency. The Constitution sets out 34 inviolable personal and property rights. Slaves shall not be citizens and have no rights under the Constitution."
Pedro was very pleased with the Constitution, even if he had been forced to sacrifice his anti-slavery principles to win acceptance of it. He had also, he felt, lived up to his promise that the Constitution would be "twice as liberal" as the draft constitution that the Constituent Assembly had been debating. The draft had stipulated more restrictive voting rights than the final version, it would not have allowed freedom of worship for non-Catholics, had only set out six inviolable rights, and had denied citizenship to freed slaves. Overall, a very good piece of work, Pedro thought: he was disappointed when it was met with only polite applause. And what's more, the Constitution was not his only success: the last Portuguese troops had now left Brazil, and after the dissolution of the Constituent Assembly he had also been able to open negotiations with Portugal in London - he was confident that Portugal would soon recognise Brazilian independence. There was a bit of trouble in Pernambuco, where the provincial government had refused to accept the Constitution, or the president Pedro had appointed, and also the United Provinces of the Río de la Plata was now demanding the return of Cisplatina, the province that João had conquered from them four years earlier, but Pedro was confident these could easily be dealt with. Why were the people not more appreciative, he wondered.
"Men of Portugal", announced Miguel: he was on his horse addressing his troops, in his capacity of Generalissimo, and his mother was beside him, giving him an encouraging smile.
"The time has finally come to save the country we all love from the pestilential levy of the Freemasons", Miguel continued. "These evil men are threatening the life of the King: they must be stopped."
The soldiers cheered loudly: "Long live Dom Miguel!" and "Down with the Freemasons!", they shouted.
"Furthermore", said Miguel, "the Marquis of Palmela and other men who are misleading His Majesty will be arrested, and no mercy shall be shown to the liberal traitors."
The soldiers acclaimed him again: Miguel then beckoned them, with Carlota Joaquina patting him appreciatively on the shoulder, and they marched into Lisbon. They burst into Palmela's house and seized him, dragging him off to prison despite his protests and those of many others: Miguel ordered the soldiers to point their guns at all who protested. Once all the liberal leaders they could find had been arrested, Miguel ordered his men to march on Bemposta Palace.
Once the palace was surrounded, Miguel turned to his mother.
"You know what to do", he told her.
Carlota Joaquina marched purposefully inside the palace.
Inside, João was shaking: he had heard rumours that his son was leading a rebellion against him, but was not sure whether to believe them. Isabel was doing her best to calm her father. He was sitting down in a chair, trying to take the situation in, while Isabel had her hand on his shoulder. Both jumped up in surprise when they saw Carlota Joaquina enter the room.
"Why, Carlota", said João: he began to smile, but stopped when he saw the fanatical look on his wife's face. Isabel just looked confused.
"The time has come", said Carlota Joaquina resolutely. "For too long you have allowed the liberal subversives to spread their damnable and treasonous doctrines. The country needs to have a ruler who will deal sternly with threats to the Crown."
João opened his mouth to argue, but Carlota Joaquina went on:
"So I have come here to tell you that you must abdicate and pass the throne to Miguel. He's the only member of this family who knows who to act towards traitors."
"How can you, Mama?", cried Isabel. "Betray Papa - your husband who you swore to obey? Plot against your lord and King like this?"
Her response appeared to stiffen João's resolve.
"This throne was entrusted to me by God", he said. "Only death can remove me. Just as my poor mother - God rest her soul - continued as Queen even during her madness, so will I continue as King until the Lord calls me away."
"If you do not give up the throne, Portugal will not have a King at all!", insisted Carlota Joaquina. "Have you forgotten what happened in France 30 years ago! King Louis was too weak in the face of his enemies, and so are you!"
"Did I not take decisive action only a year ago to restore my rights?", demanded João, his voice beginning to harden. "As long as these men pose no active threat to the Crown, I see no harm in permitting them to put forth their erroneous doctrines. People in England say much worse things about their King than the liberals here say about me, and he allows them to do it, without his throne being under threat."
"And", added Isabel, "by the same divine laws that put Papa on the throne, Miguel is not even the heir to the throne: Pedro is, and he has children of his own."
"Miguel is the heir by the Fundamental Laws of the Kingdom, which very wisely do not permit foreign rulers to govern this country", replied Carlota Joaquina. "But, more importantly, it is only he who can eliminate the threat of liberalism. You must step aside for him, and do so right now."
"I will not", said João.
"If you will not do so voluntarily, you will soon be forced to", said Carlota Joaquina.
With that, she turned on her heel and stalked out of the room.
João and Isabel looked at each other: neither had any words.
After some hours, João received news that the diplomatic corps were wishing to gain access: he ordered that they be admitted. In came Lord Beresford, former commander of the Portuguese troops against Napoleon and now the British ambassador, and Baron Hyde de Neuville, the French ambassador.
"Your Majesty", said Beresford, "may I assure you that His Britannic Majesty's Government is greatly alarmed about the events in Portugal. We believe that Your Majesty's moderation and prudence is the right course of action for Portugal, and we are determined to prevent despotism from taking hold here."
"His Most Christian Majesty sends his support to Your Majesty", said Hyde de Neuville, "and wishes to assure you his desire for your restoration. We in France know all too well the consequences of rebelling against lawful authority."
"So", said Beresford, "we are proposing a compromise. We believe that Your Majesty should summon Dom Miguel, and tell him to send his troops back to the barracks, while those he has arrested shall remain imprisoned.
"If Your Majesty should take this action", said Hyde de Neuville, "we believe that some measure of order and stability will return to Portugal."
João hesitated.
"You should agree to this, Papa", said Isabel. "These are good proposals."
"Very well, then", said João. "I shall send for Miguel to come to me."
So Miguel was summoned: he came in full of defiance, but adopted a more respectful demeanour when faced with his father, and readily agreed to João's proposals.
Nine days passed, and Portugal remained in turmoil. Fear, uncertainty and anger stalked the land. Palmela had managed to escape captivity and take refuge on a British ship. Once again, the ambassadors paid a visit to Bemposta Palace.
"Your Majesty", said Beresford, "we propose to you that you announce that you are making a visit to Caixas, but instead make your way to the ship Windsor Castle, which is ready and waiting for you."
"Once Your Majesty is there", added Hyde de Neuville, "you will have the space you need to take the action you need to do."
"Very well", said João at once: already a plan was forming in his mind.
Once aboard Windsor Castle, João issued a proclamation:
"Whereas there is much discord and subversion in this kingdom, owing to the unlawful and unnatural actions of my second son, Infante Dom Miguel, I, Dom João VI, King of the United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil and the Algarves, have seen fit to decree the following:
"Dom Miguel shall be stripped of his position as Generalissimo, having proved himself unworthy of the trust placed in him by me. My rebellious Queen shall be confined in Queluz Palace. All those detained by Dom Miguel in the present rebellion are to be set free. All those who have supported the revolt are to be arrested. Finally, I order Dom Miguel to present himself on board the ship Windsor Castle forthwith."
Miguel marched on board Windsor Castle furiously. What was his father doing? Hadn't he proved himself to be unworthy of the throne, just as Carlota Joaquina had always said. But I will show him, thought Miguel, I will show what a King behaves like.
But when Miguel set eyes on his father, he began to tremble, he cast down his eyes and he threw himself at João's feet.
"Forgive me, father", he pleaded. "I was foolish, I let myself be swayed by Mama, I promise I will not do it again."
João looked down at his son with a mixture of anger and sadness.
"Stand up", he commanded.
Miguel obeyed.
"Look me in the eyes", said João.
Miguel slowly raised his eyes.
"You have violated your duty of obedience to your father and your King", said João. "You have brought chaos and turmoil to the kingdom, and thrown many good men into prison."
Miguel had no answer.
"Guards!", announced João. "I order you to arrest Dom Miguel."
A stunned Miguel made only the feeblest protest as the guards seized him.
"You are to be dismissed from your command of the Army", said João. "You will be taken to the frigate Pearl, which shall take you to France, and from thence you shall be deported to Vienna."
Miguel finally found his voice.
"Can I . . . can I . . . please, be allowed to see Mama?", he begged.
"No", said João firmly. "You are to leave Portugal immediately. Take him away!"
Miguel spluttered as he was dragged off, but João turned his back and hung his head, doing his best to fight back the tears. I wish I hadn't had to do this, he thought. Isabel placed a consoling hand on her father's shoulder.
Well, thought Oliveira, it's a good thing that His Majesty is still on the throne, but what a pity that Dom Miguel - the great hope for this country's future - is now in exile. This makes it all the more likely that Dom Pedro, that odious liberal and traitor, will be the next King.
Carlota Joaquina was inwardly fuming. He is just as weak as his father, she thought: I never thought he would just give in like this. He needs me to give him backbone.
"Sire, your son is a traitor to his King and to his country", said Oliveira. "Your Majesty should assemble a great expedition - greater than any Portuguese King has ever mustered - to force him to surrender."
"With all due respect, my lord", said Palmela, "this would be a most unwise and impractical course. Brazil is far too large and powerful a country for us to subdue."
João's gaze switched between one man and then the other: it was so hard, he thought, to decide whose advice to accept.
"So we should just roll over and accept treason, should we?", spluttered Oliveira. "Let a rebel enjoy the fruits of his treachery?"
"Unfortunately", Palmela repeated calmly, "we have to accept that we cannot reconquer Brazil, any more than King George could enforce his will on the North American rebels, nor Bonaparte on the Negroes of St. Domingo, nor King Fernando on Spanish America."
"You liberals are all traitors!", shouted Oliveira. "You always talk this country down, you want to take our colonies from us! That's what Dom Pedro wants, and it's what you want as well!"
"When have you heard me say that?", said Palmela, with more of an edge to his voice now. "I want the best for my King and for Portugal, and that is not served by sending more men to die in a war that we cannot win. As for Dom Pedro, he was driven to his actions by the foolishness of the Cortes - surely you are agreed on that?"
He turned to face the King.
"Your Majesty", he said, "I respectfully advise you to consider what Senhor Dom Pedro has done under the most difficult of circumstances. He has managed to hold Brazil together, unlike what has happened in Spanish America. He has established a new country under the rule of the House of Braganza, at a time when subversive ideas are spreading like the plague in the Spanish colonies. He has also successfully devised a new constitution. Dom Pedro bears you no ill-will, and if you undermine him, I dread to think who will take power in Brazil."
João turned to his daughter.
"What do you think, Isabel?", he asked.
"I agree with Palmela", she replied. "Pedro wants to be friendly with us. You should continue the negotiations with him."
"That I will", announced João.
Pedro had received some concerning news: Pernambuco and the other north-western provinces had rebelled, proclaiming themselves an independent republic under the name the Confederation of the Equator. He had been furious when he heard this, but he was still confident that the rebellion would be crushed. He was equally confident about the negotiations over Portuguese recognition of Brazilian independence. He had also been pleased to give Domitilia the title Baroness of Santos, while Leopoldina would soon bear him another child.
He had just learned the news of Miguel's rebellion in Portugal, and decided that he should write a letter to his father:
"Your Majesty,
I wish to sympathise with you over Miguel's treason. I would never have believed that he would act in such a way towards his own father: our mother sadly has far too much influence over him. I fear there are still enemies at your court who wish you ill: you should beware them.
I now come to the delicate situation between my empire and your kingdom. You must know that I took up arms not against you, but against the Cortes, and I wish for nothing more than reconciliation. To this end, I would hope that you will end the state of war that exists between our two countries by recognising the independence of the Empire of Brazil. Take this step, and we can go forward together in perfect amity.
Your ever affectionate son,
Pedro."
