The Battle of the Braganzas Volume II: The Fall-Out - Chapter 9 The Girl Queen

Isabel had just been presented with Constitutional Charter for Portugal, and Pedro's deed of abdication. She carefully perused the two documents, and was rather surprised that Pedro had chosen to abdicate, and was intrigued by the plan he had drawn up. She assented to the Charter, and issued the following proclamation:

"Whereas it has pleased His Imperial and Royal Majesty Majesty Dom Pedro IV to devise a new Constitutional Charter for these kingdoms, and to abdicate the crown thereof, the throne of Portugal and the Algarves is now come to Her Highness Dona Maria, Princess of Brazil, Princess of Grão-Perá; we therefore proclaim that the said princess is now, by the will of our former King and under the terms of the Constitutional Charter, become Dona Maria II, Queen of Portugal and the Algarves, to whom we all owe dutiful obedience. Long live the Queen!"

"It is a very good charter", said Palmela to Terceira. "An excellent balance of monarchy, aristocracy and democracy."

"I agree", replied Terceira. "Dom Pedro has very wisely steered a middle course between the extremes of despotism and mob rule."

"The only issue", said Palmela, "is whether Dom Miguel can be induced to accept the Charter."

"Well, maybe", Terceira suggested, "seeing as it is the only way he can become King."

Costa sat in his home in Porto, poring over the Charter.

"Nothing at all about popular sovereignty", he muttered. "The King can block any legislation he doesn't like. A hereditary upper chamber. The powers given to the King under the moderating power. And, of course, the people had no say at all in this charter: it was imposed on us by Dom Pedro."

He shook his head in disgust.

"But", he continued, "the Queen is young, and maybe she can be persuaded to restore our old Constitution. Yet her being young also means that Dom Pedro will still be our real ruler until she comes of age. Will we be again under the rule of Brazil? And why has Dom Pedro given so much power to Dom Miguel, that implacable foe of liberty?"

"Does Your Royal Highness consent to the Charter and to the marriage contract?", asked the head of Pedro's delegation.

Miguel was silent. The Charter is full of the liberal poison, he thought. There will once again be a Cortes - has Pedro not learned from the last time we had one of those? Didn't that experience - and of course that of France - prove how dangerous it is for a King to fritter away his God-given power? There is no doubt that the "liberty" he is so fond of will allow subversive and ungodly ideas to flourish. He must be crazy.

Miguel inwardly sighed. But, he thought, as reprehensible as the Charter is, accepting it is the only way I can bring an end to my cruel exile.

Miguel held up his right hand.

"I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Dona Maria II", he said, "and shall uphold the Constitutional Charter for the Kingdoms of Portugal and the Algarves. So help me God."

He then requested, received and signed the contract for his marriage to Maria.

Carlota Joaquina's eyes narrowed when she was informed that Oliveira had come to Queluz Palace and wished for an audience with her. That coward who wouldn't join our rebellion, she thought scornfully. But after some deliberation she finally decided to admit him: he is at least right about the current situation, she reasoned.

Oliveira bowed low.

"Your Majesty", he said, "I am come to offer you my support. I know you are just as concerned as I about events since the demise of Dom João."

"Indeed I am", the Queen Dowager replied. "The total disregard of Dom Miguel's right to the throne, that goddamn Charter . . . only someone who hasn't been living in Portugal could have thought that was a good idea. To tell you the truth, I have never liked Dom Pedro, though he be my son: he has always had these wild ideas, and now he is imposing them on Portugal."

"I agree with you", said Oliveira. "After all, the rebellions that Dom Pedro has faced in Brazil - that earlier one in the north-west, and the current one in Cisplatina - show what happens when subversive ideas receive the blessing of the ruler. We also saw this in France of course, and in Spain for three years, until His Most Christian Majesty came to the rescue. Only the absolute power of a King can bring order to a country."

"Yet, sadly, these ideas seem to be spreading here", said Carlota Joaquina. "Did you not hear the cheers that greeted the proclamation of my granddaughter Dona Maria?"

"It is sadly true that liberal ideas have a grip on this city, on Porto, and on the University of Coimbra", answered Oliveira. "But do not be disheartened, madam. Those three places are not the whole of Portugal, for if you go into the countryside, you will find in the hearts and minds of the simple peasants a love for this country, for Dom Miguel, for the Holy Catholic religion, and for our traditional form of government, and a detestation for Dom Pedro, that treacherous liberal. It is there, and not in the cities or the universities, that the real Portugal resides, and where our hope lies."

Carlota Joaquina looked both intrigued and impressed.

The Battle of the Braganzas Volume II: The Fall-Out - Chapter 8 The Abdication and the Assembly

Miguel had just finished reading Oliveira's letter. After taking some time to compose himself over the news of his father's death, he was pacing up and down as he pondered what to do next. He had no doubt that the argument Oliveira had made was sound: he was indeed the rightful King of Portugal and the Algarves, and Pedro's liberalism could only end in disaster. But, on the other hand, from what he had heard about the political situation in Brazil, it was not going to be easy for Pedro if he wanted to be the ruler of both countries. What's more, Miguel thought, he is my brother after all. If he tries to remain as King, or to impose liberalism on the country, then I may need to act, but for now, I'll wait and see.

"So", announced Pedro proudly, "I have finally completed the new Constitutional Charter for Portugal. The legislative power shall be vested in a Cortes, consisting of a Chamber of Deputies elected by local assemblies that are in turn chosen by male tax-paying property owners, and a Chamber of Peers, whose members shall be hereditary lords. The King will wield the executive power, to be exercised through his ministers, and also the moderating power. He shall also have an absolute veto on legislation. All Portuguese citizens shall enjoy freedom of expression, freedom from arbitrary arrest and the right to property."

Pedro stood up from his chair, triumphantly waving the document. The ministers and foreign envoys standing around the state room in the Imperial Palace applauded. Once they had finished, Pedro sat back down and turned his attention to the next document on his desk, which read as follows:

"I Dom Pedro IV, King of Portugal and the Algarves, do hereby and irrevocably renounce the throne of the above kingdoms in favour of my most dearly beloved daughter, Dona Maria da Glória - I shall also renounce my Portuguese nationality. My beloved sister, Dona Isabel, shall serve as Regent until my dearest brother, Dom Miguel shall turn 25, at which point he shall assume the regency, on condition that he swears allegiance to the Constitutional Charter and to the Queen, and that he agrees to a contract of marriage to Her Majesty."

Pedro signed the deed of abdication, before his eyes turned to the third document on his desk.

"We have here two copies of the Constitutional Charter and the deed of my abdication in favour of my daughter, Dona Maria da Glória", he announced, "as well as the contract for the marriage of Queen Maria to Dom Miguel. One copy of the Charter and the deed are to be sent to Dona Isabel in Lisbon, with instructions given to her to promulgate them and proclaim the new Queen of Portugal and the Algarves. The other copies of those documents, and the marriage contract, are to be sent to Dom Miguel in Vienna, with a request for him to make the commitments stipulated in the deed of abdication."

The very next day, it was time to finally open the General Assembly. Pedro strode confidently into the chamber to the sound of trumpets, and then took his place on the throne, where he began to read out his speech:

"Gentlemen, I am very pleased that you are all gathered here on this historic day, when the General Assembly can finally begin to function as envisaged in the Constitution that I have given this empire. The Constitution did not come about in the manner originally envisaged, of course: I dissolved the Constituent Assembly to my regret and for reasons not unknown to you. Revolutions do not arise from the system, but rather from those who, in its shadow, seek to gain their private ends. The greater part of the senators and deputies ought to be very conscious that the ills suffered by some nations are caused by the lack of respect due to the established authorities when they, instead of being prosecuted and tried in accord with the law and universal justice, are attacked and belittled."

There were gasps and alarmed expressions from many of the senators and deputies at these words, but Pedro did not appear to notice.

"Is he going to do to us what he did to those 16 men he executed?", muttered Pinto.

"The entire Empire is tranquil", Pedro continued, "except for the Cisplatine province. Ungrateful men who owe much to Brazil have risen against her and are now supported by the government of Buenos Aires, currently at war with us. The national honour requires that the Cisplatine province be retained, since we have sworn to maintain the integrity of the Empire."

Pedro looked up at the senators and deputies, expecting that they would cheer this point: instead, to his surprise, he was met by silence and stony expressions

"Fight a war for Cisplatina?", said Pinto under his breath. "A place where there is scarcely a slave? A place that is bound to become a bastion of subversive abolitionism? Like the north of the United States?"

Pedro now moved on to more personal matters: "The independence of Brazil was recognised by my august father, Dom João VI, of glorious memory, on November 15th last year; it was subsequently recognised by Austria, England, Sweden and France."

"Yes, indeed", whispered Pinto, "at the cost of heavy reparations to Portugal, and letting your father call himself our Emperor and claim that he was voluntarily giving Brazil to you."

"On April 24th", Pedro went on, "the anniversary of the embarkation for Portugal of my father Dom João VI, I received the unhappy and unexpected news of his death. Those few Brazilians who still doubted now know (as they should already have known) that my interest in Brazil and love of its independence is so strong that I abdicated the crown of the Portuguese monarchy, which was mine by indisputable right."

"But you're still going to be involved in Portuguese politics, as Dona Maria's father", was Pinto's verdict.

Pedro had now reached the final part of his speech.

"You should pay particular attention to the education of the young of both sexes, the public treasury, all the other public institutions and above all, to both the passage of the regulatory laws and the repeal of those patently contrary to the Constitution. I also urge you to adopt a plan to deal with slavery. Slavery is the cancer that is gnawing away at Brazil, and it must be eradicated. Slavery has made us into a backward country, and this backwardness, the immense and incalculable harm caused by slavery, is God's just punishment for our arrogating to ourselves a right to which we are not entitled, because I don't believe that men have any right at all to enslave one another. Slavery is also an obstacle to constitutional rule, as every slave master, from the time he was a child, has looked upon his fellow man with scorn, accustoming himself to act on his own will, unrestrained by any law. Because of slavery, we cease to be industrious, and make no invention at all. Slavery is also inefficient: we can never truly prosper without free immigrants from Europe, who, as the experience of the United States proves, only come to places where slavery has been abolished."

But Pedro had not come just to denounce slavery: he also had a solution in mind. The murmurings in the chamber had grown so loud that he could now hear them, but he kept on:

"I propose that the merchants of human flesh receive public assistance, in the form of imperial bonds, to convert slave ships so they will carry free European immigrants instead. The provinces shall fund immigrant voyages, while the imperial government will fund the passage of those who agree to serve the State for a certain number of years. I also propose that two years after the adoption of this scheme, both the importation of slaves from Africa, and the purchasing of slaves in Brazil herself, shall be prohibited. I firmly believe that if you adopt this plan, little by little, the cancer that is gnawing on Brazil will be cured. You have seen how I am gradually freeing my own slaves: those I have already manumitted have been granted homesteads and subsistence plots on the Santa Cruz estate. If you agree to the plan I have proposed, Brazil will be transferred into a truly modern and prosperous society, by the labour of freedmen and of European immigrants."

Pedro had finished: he scanned the chamber for reactions, and was disappointed to receive only tepid applause. Whispers of "He wants to take away our slaves!" spread quickly around the room. Pinto slowly but resolutely got to his feet.

"Your Imperial Majesty", he said, "first of all I am sure that the whole of this Assembly will join in the sincerest congratulations on the birth of your son and heir. We also will join in applauding your decision to abdicate the throne of Portugal. However, we also have severe concerns over the humiliating treaty that you concluded with Dom João, and over your ill-advised war in Cisplatina. Already we see the provinces suffering owing to the great many men who have been conscripted to fight in this war, and how harshly those poor men have been treated, with up to 1000 having died in transit to the area of conflict. We also cannot ignore the high cost of maintaining the blockade of Buenos Aires. But perhaps out biggest concerns of all are over Your Majesty's proposals concerning Negro slavery. It is slavery that is the very foundation of this country: it was slavery that made Spain, France and England great in past years, it was slavery that caused Brazil to prosper after your father's arrival nearly 20 years ago, and it is slavery that is powering the rapid growth of the south of the United States. And has Your Majesty forgotten the massacres, the rapes, the mutilations perpetrated by the Negroes of St. Domingo? Have you no regard for the safety of the white man? Or the white woman?"

Pedro jumped up from his throne, his cheeks flushed.

"For the avoidance of doubt", he asserted, "I do not at all desire to see the horrors of St. Domingo visited on this country: instead I look to the gradual, peaceful and successful emancipations in Spanish America and the northern part of the United States. I truly believe that my proposal will make Brazil both more prosperous and more harmonious, for no man can truly be safe in his bed if he oppresses other men. As you all know, I have said it before, and I will say it again: our blood and the blood of the Negroes are the same colour."

The senators and deputies stared at him.

"But slavery is truly in the best interests of the Negro", insisted Pinto. "It teaches him honest industry and morality, it makes him into a Christian, and it civilises him. It prevents him from acting out his savage impulses: St. Domingo shows clearly what happens when his shackles are removed."

The chamber burst into applause: Pedro stood open-mouthed.

"The Emperor is the greatest enemy of Brazil."

These were the opening words of a newspaper article by Líbero Badaró, an Italian-born journalist.

"He has no loyalty to Brazil", the article continued. "He is Portuguese by birth, Portuguese by blood, and Portuguese by inclination. He surrounds himself with Portuguese advisers and flatterers: his allegiance lies not to this country, but to our former oppressors. He signed a treaty with Portugal that was a far greater insult to us than anything the old Cortes did. Be in no doubt: he means to suppress the Constitution he claims to uphold, and reunite us with Portugal. He cannot be trusted to uphold the liberties that we shed so much blood for, for he belongs to the class which contains the greatest enemies of liberty in the world: the royal tyrants of Europe. As did his father in Portugal, as did his uncle in Spain, so in Brazil the Emperor will seize an opportunity to restore despotism. We must be vigilant at all times against his evil designs."

The Battle of the Braganzas Volume II: The Fall-Out - Chapter 7 The King-Emperor

Pedro was surprised to be told that the Marquis of Palmela had arrived in Brazil and wished to have an audience with him, but he agreed to hastily arrange a reception in the throne room at Boa Vista Palace. Not ideal, he thought, when I've just declared war on the United Provinces over Cisplatina, but I need to show courtesy to my guest.

Palmela bowed, and then began:

"Your Imperial and Royal Majesty . . ."

" 'Imperial and Royal'? ", interrupted Pedro: this unexpected address gave him a feeling a dread.

"Yes", said Palmela. "It is with the greatest regret that I must inform you that your distinguished father, Dom João, is dead, and you are now the King of Portugal and the Algarves."

Pedro hastily thanked Palmela, and then dismissed him: once alone, he was able to give free range to his emotions, crying loud and long.

"Papa! Papa!", he cried out.

After several minutes, he stopped crying, but bowed his head.

It took him about half an hour to regain his composure. He recalled Palmela, and doing his best to keep his voice steady, asked him about the political situation in Portugal.

"Well, Your Majesty", said Palmela, "it would do you no good to conceal the truth from you. There are a great many powerful men in this country who would much rather that Dom Miguel were King instead of yourself. There are also fears that Portugal will come under the rule of Brazil. It is a very tense situation."

Pedro once again thanked and dismissed Palmela, and then set about thinking. The information he had been told did not surprise him, but it still caused him a good deal of agonising. He was also perfectly aware that opinion in Brazil would be equally opposed to his being the King of Portugal: the General Assembly would finally convene in just nine days, and they would certainly see the sharing of the two thrones as a breach of Article I of the Constitution. He was also determined to restore constitutional monarchy to Portugal, but he knew that Miguel and his supporters were opposed to this form of government. So what to do . . .

"I have it", Pedro proudly announced to Leopoldina and Domitilia: all three were in the palace's private apartments and he was pacing up and down, taking barely any notice of either. "I shall issue a constitution for Portugal: this shall be liberal, of course, but not so liberal as ours, or the defunct constitution drawn up by the old Cortes, so as to be acceptable to Miguel and his supporters. As soon as the new constitution has been approved, I shall abdicate the throne of Portugal and the Algarves, with the abdication to be announced the day before the General Assembly shall convene."

"But won't that make Pedrinho the King of Portugal?", inquired Leopoldina. "So when he becomes Emperor of this country, the same problem will arise again, won't it?"

"No", answered Pedro: he looked up at Leopoldina with a wide grin on his face. "You see, the constitution I grant will say that foreigners cannot inherit the Portuguese throne. Pedrinho was born after Portugal recognised our independence: therefore, he is not a Portuguese national. Instead the throne will go to Maria, as she was born prior to independence."

Pedro grinned again at the stunned look on Leopoldina's face.

"Bravo!", cried Domitilia, applauding loudly. Pedro beamed at his mistress: Leopoldina turned her face away.

"And when Miguel turns 25, that is to say, in 18 months' time", Pedro continued, "he will become the Regent of Portugal and the Algarves: he will come to Brazil to take Maria to Portugal with him. They will marry, meaning that when their children are born, under Portuguese law Miguel will become King, and he and Maria shall rule Portugal jointly. All of this is on condition that Miguel accepts the constitution and the marriage contract. See? Is that not a clever plan that shall satisfy everybody?"

He looked from one woman to the other.

"A capital idea!", cried Domitilia: she made her way over to Pedro and kissed him passionately.

"But what makes you think you can trust Miguel?", asked Leopoldina, trying to hide her discomfort.

Pedro abruptly broke off from the kiss.

"Why not?", he asked. "You know Miguel don't you?"

"But Miguel rebelled against your father", Leopoldina pointed out. "And surely you know he is strongly opposed to limited monarchy: your mother's influence has seen to that."

"You obviously don't know much", said Pedro scornfully. "Our ambassador in Vienna tells me that Miguel is truly remorseful for his revolt. Also, don't you remember what I said? Miguel will have to agree to my constitution, and to the marriage to Maria: if he refuses, the deal will be off, and he will lose out on his chance to rule Portugal. He will surely welcome this great opportunity to restore family harmony and boost his claim to the throne."

"You are right as ever", exclaimed Domitilia, smirking at Leopoldina, and she and Pedro set about kissing each other again.

Leopoldina tearfully hurried to the nursery, where the sight of her children only slightly brightened her mood. They all ran (or, in Pedrinho's case, crawled) to her, and she gladly embraced them.

"Why are you so upset, Mama?", asked Maria.

"I don't think I can tell you that", answered Leopoldina.

"But you're like this so often", Maria persisted. "I think we need to know."

Leopoldina gave a deep sigh: Januária gave her mother an encouraging pat on the back. Smiling, Leopoldina took a deep breath.

"It's all because of my lady-in-waiting," she said.

"The one Papa made you give Pedrinho to?", inquired Maria.

"Yes", said Leopoldina. "Your father loves her the way he should love me."

The four girls all opened their mouths in shock: Maria also looked angry. Pedrinho looked first to his mother, and then to his sisters, confused. Leopoldina hung her head.

"So that's why you're sad?", said Maria.

"Yes", said Leopoldina. "We were once so happy together, but now he is mean and rude to me: I have so little money now because he spends it all on her, he bans me from leaving the palace, he's given her a new house just across the road from here, and he has her go with us whenever we go out to meet the people."

"You mean, like on that trip we went on a couple of months ago?", said Maria.

Leopoldina burst into fresh tears: all her children huddled close to her.

"Yes", she finally said. "During the voyage he had her dine with him and you, Maria: I had to dine alone, in my own room, as I would never be near that woman if can help it. He and her strolled about the ship together, they lounged on the quarterdeck, he kept calling her 'Titília'."

A slight note of scorn had crept into her voice. She then sighed.

"I cannot tell you how humiliating it was to have to watch all that", she said, "so I had to go back to my own room to avoid it. And then after we landed in Bahia, he had her sit behind me and him, and next to you", addressing Maria, "on carriage rides. And all the important men of Bahia treated her as though she were the Empress instead of me."

Leopoldina's voice was rising now: Maria looked indignant.

"And they gave her rooms in the governor's palace that were as good as, if not better than, my rooms. And she, that low-born upstart, keeps mocking me and sneering at me, reminding me at every turn that your father prefers her to me."

There was an awkward silence, broken when Maria loudly announced:

"That's horrible! What a bad woman she is!"

Leopoldina gave a small smile

Maria spoke again, in a quieter tone.

"I really sorry, Mama", she said.

"What for?" Despite herself, Leopoldina was intrigued.

"Because I didn't notice it. I mean, I should have known it, after he made you give him Pedrinho, and then the things they did on that trip."

"It's not your fault", Leopoldina assured her, taking Maria by the hand. "You are very young, it's OK for you not to notice."

"I'll tell Papa he's wrong", said Maria, with a determined look on her face.

Leopoldina laughed, drew her eldest child to her and hugged her tightly. She wondered if she should tell Maria about Pedro's plans for her, but felt that the time was not right. I will miss you so badly when you to Portugal, she thought. Januária once again patted her mother, Paula did a little dance which did eventually succeed in cheering her up, Chica snuggled up to be close to her mother, while Pedrinho crawled into his mother's arms: he could sense that she was unhappy, though he did not know why.

Later that day, Maria received the news that her father wished her to see him in his chambers. Puzzled but resolute, she strode over to the place: Pedro welcomed her with an indulgent smile. What a lovely surprise I have in store for her, he thought.

"So, Maria", said Pedro. "I have some exciting news for you."

Maria did not reply. Pedro continued:

"As you know, your grandfather has very sadly died, and so I am now King of Portugal. But as I can't be both King of Portugal and Emperor of this country, I am going to step down from the Portuguese throne, and you are to be Queen of Portugal."

Pedro's smiled proudly at his daughter: she looked horrified.

"You're going to send me far away!", she exclaimed. "To a country I've never been to!"

"You won't be going just yet", said Pedro, with a smile that he hoped would reassure Maria. "Uncle Miguel will be coming over here to take you to Portugal, so you won't be going on your own. He will rule Portugal for you until you grow up, and he will marry you, and you will be King and Queen together."

"Ugh!", exclaimed Maria. "Marry my uncle?"

"Well", said Pedro, "your great-grandmother married her uncle, and they were happy together."

"But I don't want to marry Uncle Miguel", insisted Maria. "When I grow up, I want to marry a man I love."

Pedro looked momentarily shocked, but soon collected himself.

"I know it can be hard", he said gently, "but we royals always have to do our duty."

"You don't do your duty for Mama", hit back Maria.

Pedro's jaw dropped.

"What . . . how . . .?", he began.

"You love that other woman don't you?", persisted Maria: she was glaring at her father, much to his alarm. "The one you made Mama give Pedrinho to. The one you did all those walks with on that boat. The one who sat beside me on those carriage rides."

"But . . . but . . . well, yes, I do love Domitilia, but I love your mother as well", said Pedro.

"So why is Mama so upset, if you love her?", asked Maria.

"Well", said Pedro, "I suppose it can be hard for a child like you to understand . . ."

"I'm not stupid!", shouted Maria. "I was with Mama just now, and she was really upset, because of you and that woman!"

Pedro was silent for a while, as he tried to determine how to respond to this.

"Well", he said, "I won't deny that your mother would prefer it if I didn't love Domitilia. She doesn't seem to realise that I can love more than one woman."

"So it's all Mama's fault?", said Maria.

"I didn't say that", said Pedro hastily.

"Yes, you did", Maria riposted. "If you love her, if you want her to be happy, why don't you do what she wants, and send that woman away?"

"I can't do that", said Pedro. "I need to have both women I love with me, and I hope that your mother will one day see that. Anyway", he continued, as Maria opened her mouth to argue, "let's talk about Portugal. As I said, I cannot continue as King of Portugal, and I cannot have Pedrinho be their King either, because Portugal and Brazil must always be separate. Therefore, it has to be you. Please do this, if not for me then for the people of Portugal: you will be helping them a lot if you agree to become their Queen."

"Well, maybe . . .", said Maria

Pedro pounced on his daughter's hesitation.

"Portugal really needs you, and it's people would be very happy if you agree", he said.

Maria sighed.

"All right", she said finally.

The Battle of the Braganzas Volume II: The Fall Out - Chapter 6 Succession Issues

João and Isabel had just finished a very pleasant dinner at the Hieronymites Monastery. They stood up from the table, profusely thanking their hosts, who in turn replied that there was no greater honour than dining with the King. They left the monastery, smiling and waving at the monks. But as soon as the doors were closed, João turned to his daughter: his expression was grave.

"I don't feel well", he said. "There's a funny feeling in my stomach."

"Why?", asked Isabel. "What could have happened?"

"I don't know", said João. "Maybe the food was a bit too rich, or maybe I ate a bit too much. But, anyway, let's get back to the palace, and see if I feel better then."

They climbed into the carriage that would take them back to Bemposta Palace. Suddenly, João vomited quite violently: the servant who was with them looked scandalised, Isabel looked alarmed.

"Are you all right, Papa?", she asked, more as a desperate attempt to reassure herself than in expectation of a positive answer.

"I have convulsions in my stomach", said João, "but I'm sure I'll be all right."

"You're only 59", Isabel pointed out, "and you've always been in good health. So how . . ."

But before she could finish, João vomited again, and did so several times before reaching the palace. He then staggered out of the coach, aided by Isabel, who was now doing her best not to panic. Into the palace they went, where João vomited in front of the all the palace staff, who all turned their faces away in disgust and pity. Isabel had the servants take him to his bed, where she sat beside him, her face full of worry. He continued to vomit periodically, and he wheezed frequently. Isabel fervently prayed to God for her father's recovery.

By the next day, word had got round that the King was seriously ill. Palmela came to his bedside, with concern etched on his face.

"Your Majesty", he said, "I am very sorry to hear of your sad condition. Are you any better today?"

"I feel about the same as yesterday", groaned João. "But I think I'll be all right."

"May that be God's will", replied Palmela, but he did not feel so hopeful. He looks absolutely terrible, Palmela thought, he'll do well to survive this. And if the worst comes to the worst, the heir to the throne is an ocean away, and the younger son is hellbent of the complete extirpation of liberty in this country. Will Portugal be ruled by Brazil? Will there be civil war? Will all hope for a future based on liberty be crushed?

Two days passed, and João remained confined to his bed: Isabel remained by his side at all times. He seemed to be breathing a little easier now, she thought.

"Are you feeling better, now, Papa?", she asked hopefully.

"I don't know", groaned João. "I'm not getting any worse, but my stomach still doesn't feel right."

"Have you any idea what happened to you?", inquired Isabel. "I know Mama is saying that the Freemasons poisoned you, but . . ."

"Maybe . . . maybe", murmured João. "But what concerns me more is that she hasn't bothered to visit me."

There was an awkward silence, before Isabel spoke again:

"Do you think you will get better, Papa?"

"Well", said João, "just in case, you know . . . you shall be the Regent of Portugal and the Algarves until the legitimate heir shall return to the Kingdom."

He smiled at her, but Isabel did not look at all comforted by this announcement, and hastily began chatting about more cheerful matters.

After another three nights, João once again started coughing and wheezing violently. Isabel gripped his hand tightly. This is the end, she thought: instinctively she knew it.

"Farewell, Isabel", breathed João, his voice barely audible. "I am soon to meet my Maker."

Isabel bowed her head, and did not reply.

"I know you will be a good regent", said João, "and I hope that Pedro will once again unite this country with Brazil. Goodbye, my dearest daughter."

His breathing stopped, his head fell back on his pillow, and the hand that Isabel was holding became clammy. Isabel threw herself on her father's body and sobbed desperately.

"Papa . . . papa . . .", she cried.

Isabel stopped crying after about 10 minutes, and willed herself to stand upright. I have duties that must be attended to, she reminded herself. She gave orders for a proclamation to be read all over the country:

"Whereas it has pleased the Lord to call away His Majesty Dom João VI, of blessed and glorious memory, the crown of these kingdoms is now come to His Imperial Majesty Dom Pedro I, Emperor of Brazil, the true and undoubted heir to the throne; we therefore proclaim that the said Emperor of Brazil is now, by the demise of our late King, become His Imperial and Royal Majesty Dom Pedro IV, King of Portugal and the Algarves, to whom we all owe dutiful obedience. Long live the King!"

Isabel also summoned Palmela, and instructed him to lead a delegation to Brazil to inform Pedro of the news.

In Porto, Costa was walking through the street when he heard the proclamation. He had been briefly imprisoned after João had dissolved the Cortes, but had been released in an amnesty after six months. He involuntarily flinched when he heard the announcement that Pedro was now King of Portugal. What, that traitor, that rebel, is now our King? And are we going to be under Brazilian rule once more? But then he thought: better Dom Pedro than Dom Miguel.

"Dom Miguel is the rightful King!", shouted Oliveira when the proclamation reached his ears. He made his way home quickly, and wrote a letter to Miguel:

"Your Majesty,

It is with the greatest sadness and regret that I must inform you that your illustrious father, Dom João VI, is dead. My sincerest condolences I extend to you. It therefore follows that, by the Fundamental Laws of the Kingdom, Your Majesty is now the King of Portugal and the Algarves. Alas, however, Dom Pedro has been quite improperly proclaimed as King instead. As Your Majesty's humble and faithful subject, let it be known that I will wholeheartedly support Your Majesty in whatever actions you may take to recover your rights and save our country from the liberal scourge.

With humble affection,

Oliveira"

The Battle of the Braganzas Volume II: The Fall-Out - Chapter 5 Family Affairs

 Leopoldina frowned as she studied the text of the draft Treaty of Rio de Janeiro.

"This treaty is no good at all", she said.

"How?", asked Pedro. "It gives us what is vitally important, recognition by Portugal of our independence."

"In so many different ways", replied Leopoldina. "It states that your father 'yields and transfers from his free will' the sovereignty of Brazil to you and our heirs. His free will! Did all the blood sacrifices of the last three years not happen? Did not you yourself, in your great wisdom, guide this country to freedom?"

Pedro opened his mouth to argue, but Leopoldina continued:

"Furthermore, the Treaty says that your father 'takes and reserves for himself' the title of Emperor of Brazil, and that you consent to his use of the title that by rights is yours alone. Also, we are to pay Portugal 80 tons of gold in reparations. Reparations for what? For fighting for our rights? After all the depradations and insults that Portugal committed against us, yet it is we who are to compensate them? Should it not be the other way round? And last of all, Portugal is to have all her trading privileges restored."

Leopoldina put down the copy of the Treaty and looked at Pedro straight in the eye.

"The people will not accept this humiliation", she said. "There are already rumours afoot that you and your father are plotting together to reunite us with Portugal."

"Why, I have no such plans", said Pedro angrily. "How can you say so?"

"I did not say you had such plans", said Leopoldina calmly. "I would never suspect you of such a treacherous deed. But there are unfortunately many who believe so, and your father calling himself Emperor of Brazil - and your agreeing to this - is only fuelling them. The people will not like it if you agree to this disgrace of a treaty."

"I have to agree to it", replied Pedro. "The European powers have made it plain that they will not recognise our independence until Portugal does so."

"Shouldn't you at least wait until the General Assembly has convened?", asked Leopoldina. "Under the Constitution, it is they who are to ratify the Treaty."

"No", said Pedro, "I need to ratify it myself, while I still have that power. We need the countries of Europe to recognise us, so they will help promote immigration to this country, and thus aid our social and economic development - something we badly need. I also need to solve this issue quickly, to address the trouble in Cisplatina."

Although Pedro had succeeded in crushing the Confederation of the Equator, with 16 rebel leaders executed and the remainder pardoned, in Cisplatina matters were starting to come to a head. A group of 33 men had started a rebellion, proclaiming union with the United Provinces - the situation had proved to be more serious that Pedro had anticipated. In addition, Pedro thought, hadn't Domitilia already told him that ratifying the Treaty was the right thing to do?

Leopoldina opened her mouth to argue, but soon realised it was useless.

Pedro had informed Leopoldina that he was going to present a potential new lady-in-waiting to her, and hoped that she would be so gracious as to appoint this lady to the position. Leopoldina was sitting in her chambers, awaiting the new arrival. Maybe, she thought, this new lady-in-waiting would be a good friend, one in whom she could confide her growing concerns about what Pedro was doing.

The door to the room opened: Leopoldina stood up, and smiled, as Pedro came in, followed by a woman she had never seen before.

"Leopoldina, this is Domitilia de Castro, Baroness of Santos, whose father has done great service to me", said Pedro. "My lady Baroness, this is the Empress."

Domitilia curtsied and kissed Leopoldina's hand, as Pedro had instructed her to.

Leopoldina smiled again.

"Welcome to Boa Vista Palace, Domitilia", she said.

"Your Imperial Majesty", said Domitilia, "this is the greatest honour, and I promise to be your faithful servant."

"I have no doubt", answered Leopoldina, "and I willingly appoint you to my service."

Domitilia jumped up and laughed for joy: this disturbed Leopoldina, but not as much as what she glimpsed in Pedro's face. He was beaming, looking as happy as Leopoldina had ever seen him, and his eyes glanced at Domitilia: he quickly turned away, once he knew Leopoldina was staring at him, and stared awkwardly at the floor.

Leopoldina's eyes narrowed.

"Is there anything going on between the two of you?", she asked.

"Well . . . nothing, really . . ." spluttered Pedro.

"Don't lie to me", said Leopoldina: there was a rare note of sternness in her face.

"Pedro has been very good to me . . .", began Domitilia.

" 'Pedro'?," repeated Leopoldina.

Pedro strode forward and put his arm around Domitilia: she rested her head on his shoulder, and he caressed her.

"Well, yes, you are right", he said awkwardly to Leopoldina.

Domitilia smirked at the Empress.

Leopoldina bowed her head.

"But this doesn't mean I don't love you", said Pedro earnestly. "It's just that I love Domitilia as well, and she loves me."

"And I'm supposed to be happy with that?", demanded Leopoldina. "Happy that my husband, the man I love, sleeps with another woman? Happy that you are breaking your wedding vows? Happy that you are disobeying the Seventh Commandment?" She did her best to avoid Domitilia's gloating grin.

"I can love more than one woman", said Pedro, his voice rising

"I am your lawful wedded wife", said Leopoldina. "I am the one that you are pledged to, the mother of your children, the one who has always loved and been faithful to you."

She was on the verge of tears.

"Now, now", said Pedro, "it is quite improper for a wife to question her husband's actions like this."

"And it is improper for a husband to be unfaithful to his wife!", said Leopoldina. "It's immoral, it's against the law of God, it's . . ."

Distracted, she strode out of the chamber, as fast as her dignity and her pregnancy would allow, doing her best to hide her tears. She made her way to the nursery, where Maria, Januária and Paula were playing, joined by their nine month-old sister Francisca, known as Chica. The girls all ran to their mother and hugged her.

"What's wrong, Mama?", asked Maria.

"I can't tell you", answered Leopoldina.

"Is it something about Papa?", asked Januária, placing a consoling hand on Leopoldina's arm. Leopoldina smiled, despite herself.

"No", she said quickly.

Paula smiled shyly at her mother, while Chica danced around and pulled a few faces: eventually Leopoldina broke out into a laugh. Perhaps if my baby is a boy, Pedro will treat me better, she thought.

"It's a boy!", proclaimed the midwife.

"Hurrah! At last!", shouted Pedro, jumping for joy.

Leopoldina, thoroughly exhausted and breathing very heavily, smiled as broadly as she could. Weakly she stretched out her arms and gently caressed her newborn son.

"You are the future of Brazil", she told him proudly.

She beckoned to her four daughters to come to her bedside and say hello to their baby brother. Maria looked resentful, even though Leopoldina did her best to explain that the fact she was no longer the heir did not mean she was any less loved.

"What will you call him?", inquired the midwife.

"His name is Pedro, but we shall call him Pedrinho", the Emperor replied at once.

"Can I hold him?", asked Domitilia: she was holding Pedro's hand.

"Certainly not", said Leopoldina.

"That's so unfair of her", complained Domitilia, turning imploringly to Pedro.

"Hand him over", Pedro commanded.

"I shall not", insisted Leopoldina. "I am the Empress, I am his mother, and . . .

"And I am his father, the Emperor, and your husband", said Pedro: there was a slight but unmistakable angry tone in his voice. "I order you to hand him over to the Viscountess of Santos."

Leopoldina gave an exasperated sigh, and reluctantly allowed the midwife to pick the baby up and place him in Domitilia's arms. Leopoldina turned away, unable to bear the sneering look Domitilia was giving her. The four princesses turned away from the bed to stare in confusion at this strange scene: Maria glared at Domitilia.

The Battle of the Braganzas Volume II: The Fall-Out - Chapter 4 Father Versus Son

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."