INDEPENDENCE
In 1820 the standard of revolt was raised in Cadiz against the Spanish
Bourbons, who, with the aid of the Holy Alliance, had re-established
absolutism after the fall of Napoleon. The feeble Ferdinand was
compelled to accept a liberal constitution. When the news reached Lisbon
the Regency, acting there for King John, was panic-stricken.
Communication with Spain was forbidden and word sent off post-haste to
John to urge his immediate return to Portugal, or at least the sending
of his eldest son, as the only means of pacifying the deep
dissatisfaction felt because of the absence of the Court and government.
In Porto--always the centre of liberal movements--a formidable
conspiracy was formed which included the leading citizens and the
officers of the garrison, and in August, 1820, the royal authority was
overthrown after scarcely a show of resistance, and a provisional junta
installed. The movement spread over the northern provinces and thence to
Lisbon, where a junta assumed power in December. After some confusion it
was agreed temporarily to adopt the Spanish Constitution, to summon the
Cortes, and to retain the Braganza dynasty as constitutional monarchs.
The news of the rising in Porto spread like wildfire through the
Portuguese possessions beyond sea. Madeira and the Azores immediately
installed revolutionary juntas, and some of the Brazilian provinces
could not wait until the assembling of the Cortes before establishing
free governments. Among native Brazilians and immigrated Portuguese,
among soldiers and citizens alike, the enthusiasm for a constitution was
well-nigh universal. In Para, Pernambuco, and Rio Grande do Sul, the
royal governors were dispossessed by the united soldiers and people, and
the Spanish Constitution proclaimed as the law of the land. Rio,
however, lay quiet, and it was not until February, 1821, that the Bahia
garrison deposed the governor, and installed a provisional junta, which,
protesting allegiance to the House of Braganza, proclaimed the Spanish
Constitution, nominated deputies to the Cortes, and promised to adopt
whatever definite constitution might be framed by that body.
The action of Bahia was decisive. Throughout the interior it met with
approval. That John could hope for no support from Brazil in case he
decided to make a struggle against the Portuguese revolutionists, was
evident. Reluctantly he issued a proclamation announcing his intention
to send Dom Pedro, his eldest son, to treat with the Cortes, and he
promised to adopt such parts of the new constitution as might be found
expedient for Brazil. To such delay native Brazilians and the
Portuguese-born were alike opposed. In Rio the troops and people arose,
demanding an unconditional promise to ratify any constitution the Cortes
might adopt. On the 26th of February a great crowd assembled in the
streets, and while the cowardly King skulked in his suburban palace, the
Prince Pedro addressed the people, swearing in his father's name and his
own to accept unreservedly the expected constitution. The multitude
insisted on marching out to the King's palace to show their enthusiastic
gratitude. Trembling with fear John was forced to get into his carriage,
and the miserable man was frightened out of his wits when the crowd took
the horses out to drag him with their own hands. He fainted away and,
when he recovered his senses, sat snivelling, protesting between his
sobs his willingness to agree to anything, and sure that he was going to
suffer the fate of Louis XVI.
[Illustration: DOM PEDRO I.
[From an old woodcut.]]
Thereafter Dom Pedro, though only twenty-two years old, was the
principal figure in Brazil. He resembled his passionate, unrestrained,
and unscrupulous mother rather than his vacillating, pusillanimous
father. He had grown up neglected and uncontrolled in the midst of his
parents' quarrelling and the confusion of the removal to Brazil,
receiving no education except that of a soldier, and hardly able to
write his native tongue correctly. He was handsome, brave, wilful,
arrogant, loved riding and driving, was eager and shameless in the
pursuit of pleasure. His manners were frank and attractive and he was
active-minded, quick to absorb new impressions, enterprising,
strong-willed, loved popularity, and intensely enjoyed being the
principal dramatic figure in any crisis. His personal courage was
unquestionable, and he was prompt of decision in the face of dangers and
difficulties. While capable of warm friendships and with strong impulses
of devotion and gratitude, he lacked real faithfulness. Between him and
his father little love and no sympathy existed. Prior to the events of
1821 he had not been admitted to the councils in state affairs, and his
closest friends were among the young Portuguese officers, who, like most
of their class, sympathised with the constitutional movement. Pedro was
a Free Mason, and the Liberal opinions advocated in the lodges greatly
influenced him. To Pedro, therefore,--young, ardent, popular, holding
progressive notions,--both Brazilian and Portuguese Liberals naturally
turned.
Seeing the role of leader and ruler of Brazil ready to his hand, Pedro
favoured the departure of his father for Portugal. A meeting of the Rio
electors, held on the 21st of April, to elect members to the Cortes
suddenly changed into a tumult, and demanded that the King assent to the
Spanish Constitution before his departure. He had no choice but to
yield, though probably neither he nor the popular leaders had ever read
the document. The demonstrations continuing, Pedro became uneasy lest
his father's journey should be delayed, and marched his troops into the
square and cleared the people out at the point of the bayonet. This
audacious move was followed by general stupefaction, and the King
quietly escaped, leaving Pedro as regent. As his vessel weighed anchor
he said to his son: "I fear Brazil before long will separate herself
from Portugal; if so, rather than allow the crown to fall to some
adventurer, place it on thy own head."
The grasping policy of the Portuguese members of the Cortes furnished
the impulse that drove the Brazilians into union and independence. The
Cortes met in Lisbon, and, although most of the Brazilian delegates had
not arrived, immediately undertook to pass measures touching the most
important interests of the younger kingdom. In December, 1821, news
reached Brazil that decrees had been enacted requiring the prince to
leave Brazil, abolishing the appeal courts at Rio, creating governors
who were to supersede the juntas and be independent of local control,
and sending garrisons to the principal cities. Tremendous popular
excitement followed. The coupling of the order for Pedro's retirement
with the provisions for the enslavement and disintegration of Brazil,
made the provinces realise that he was the only centre around which they
could rally for effective resistance. A cry rose up from the whole
country, praying Pedro not to abandon them. The address sent by the
provincial junta of Sao Paulo was penned by the hand of Jose Bonifacio
de Andrada, and may well be called the Brazilian declaration of
independence.
"How dare these Portuguese deputies, without waiting for the
Brazilian members, promulgate laws which affect the dearest
interests of this realm? How dare they dismember Brazil into
isolated parts possessing no common centre of strength and union?
How dare they deprive your Royal Highness of the Regency with which
your august father, our Monarch, had invested you? How dare they
deprive Brazil of the tribunals instituted for the interpretation
and modification of laws; for the general administration of
ecclesiastical affairs, of finance, commerce, and so many
institutions of public utility? To whom are the unhappy people
hereafter to address themselves for redress touching their business
and judicial interests?"
Jose Bonifacio, whose voice and example, more than any other man's, gave
expression and direction to the aspiration for independence, belonged to
the English parliamentary school which was dominant then in liberal
thought. The elevation of the young and progressive prince to an
independent throne seemed an easy method of establishing constitutional
government, as well as of securing Brazil's autonomy. Pedro did not
hesitate long in acceding to the wish of the Brazilians. On January 9,
1822, he formally announced that he would remain in Brazil--thus defying
the Portuguese Cortes. The word "independence" had not yet been
employed, and there was a very general hope that the Portuguese would
listen to reason when the Brazilian deputies arrived in Lisbon. The only
active resistance to Pedro in Brazil came from the Portuguese soldiers,
some of whom revolted and went so far as to march under arms to a point
commanding the city of Rio, but their nerve failed them in face of the
immense concourse of citizens who were preparing to fight.
[Illustration: DOM JOSE BONIFACIO DE ANDRADA.
[From a steel print.]]
Pedro threw himself unreservedly into the hands of the patriots. Jose
Bonifacio was made Prime Minister, and measures taken to re-establish
the control of the central over the provincial governments. But the
ruling groups in the various capitals were not very ready to surrender
their authority. Pedro called a council, but representatives from only
four provinces responded. Bahia and Pernambuco were held in check by
Portuguese garrisons, and other provinces hesitated before committing
themselves. Meanwhile the Portuguese majority in the Cortes paid no
attention to the warnings of the Brazilian members, but ruthlessly
pushed forward the measures for the commercial and political subjection
of Brazil. Most of the Brazilian members withdrew, while a squadron was
sent to Rio to escort the prince back to Portugal. On May 13 1822, he
assumed the title of "Perpetual Defender and Protector of Brazil," and
from this to a formal declaration of independence was only a step. In
June he notified the Cortes that Brazil must have her own legislative
body, and, on his own responsibility, issued writs for a constituent
assembly. The Cortes responded by re-enforcing the Bahia garrison, and
the Bahianos retaliated by attacking the Portuguese troops. The
Pernambucanos expelled their garrison and sent promises of adhesion to
the prince. On the 7th of September Pedro was in Sao Paulo, and there
received despatches telling of still more violent measures taken by the
Cortes, accompanied by letters from Jose Bonifacio urging that the
opportunity they had so often planned for together had at last arrived.
Pedro reflected but a moment, and then, dramatically drawing his sword,
cried, "Independence or Death!" Everything had been carefully timed, and
his entrance into Rio a few days later, wearing a cockade with the new
device, was greeted with enthusiasm. On the 12th of October he was
solemnly crowned "Constitutional Emperor of Brazil," announcing that he
would accept the constitution to be drawn up by the approaching
constituent assembly.
Prompt and efficient measures for the expulsion of the Portuguese
garrisons from Bahia, Maranhao, Para, and Montevideo were taken. The
militia came forward enthusiastically; the regular forces were rapidly
increased; Lord Cochrane, the celebrated free-lance English admiral, was
placed in command of a fair-sized fleet which sailed at once for Bahia,
and, defeating the ships which remained faithful to the Portuguese
cause, established a blockade that soon enabled the land forces
besieging the city to reduce the place. At Maranhao Cochrane's success
was still easier; Para also fell without resistance at the summons of
one of his captains; and the news of these successes was followed by
that of the surrender of the garrison at Montevideo. Within less than a
year from the declaration of independence not a hostile Portuguese
soldier remained on Brazilian soil.