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.
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