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Rio de Janeiro, April 7th, 1831 · The Shattered Congress
Jornal do Comércio
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South America
Tensions were high in March when Pedro returned from a trip to Minas Gerais. Witnesses reported locals greeting the Emperor with open hostility in Minas Gerais, but in Rio, the story was quite different.
Portuguese loyalists threw the Emperor a lavish welcome party.
"Tone-deaf as you might rightly assume. Pedro I is really just a Portuguese prince that happened to be sitting on the Brazilian throne." - Bernardo Pereira de Vasconcelos, Brazilian Politician from Minas Gerais
Tensions erupted during those celebrations, as Brazilian liberals clashed with Portuguese partisans celebrating the Emperor's return. In what has since been called "The Noite das Garrafadas ("Night of the Bottle-Throwing") bottles and stones were seen hurtled at the Portuguese supporters. Soon, the conflict erupted beyond the local civilian populace. Members of the National Guard were seen supporting the Brazilian movement.
It would only be a matter of weeks before the abdication letter was made public.
"Using the right that the Constitution grants me, I declare that I have voluntarily abdicated in favor of my very beloved and dear son, Mr. D. Pedro de Alcântara" - Pedro I, 7th of April, 1831
At only five years old, Pedro I is set to inherit the throne of Brazil. The national assembly met shortly after the abdication. A trio elected among the senators selected Diogo Antônio Feijó to act as Imperial Regent until the young Emperor comes of age.