Constitutional Whig

PROCLAMATION OF DON PEDRO I.

To the Brazilians.

Comrades!—The honour of the Nation, and mine, are offended in the incendiary writings, manifests, and proclamations, in which the intrusive President of Pernambuco, Manuel de Carvalho Paes d'Andrada, and his faction, dared (Heavens! what an attempt) to declare a federation. What greater insult can there be, than to go against the general opinion of the nation, who embraced the constitution offered by me and sworn to by you; and which requires that I should be respected as I ought. To say that the actual system is not good, and that a federal one is better; Does it not cry to Heaven for vengeance? To say in his manifests that I am a traitor to Brazil; that I do not fulfil the title of Perpetual Defender except in Rio Janeiro; that I ought to be abandoned; that I have no right to govern you: What do such insults demand? I do not speak to you only, comrades, but to all the Brazilian nation. What do such insults demand? Say, certainly such a punishment may serve an example, even to posterity.—Infamous factionaries, say in your consciences (if you have any) are you aware of what you have written and said? Being false, as it is, ought you not to be punished in the face of the whole world? Honest and dear Brazilians, if the inferior authorities are to be respected, how much more so ought not the government; how much more ought not your Emperor, the latter having been chosen voluntarily by you; the latter even before he was an Emperor always supported your rights; the latter having been the one who, in the face of the whole world, has appeared constitutional through principle; having been the one who has always defended you, and shall defend you; and finally, the latter having been the one who wishes to see you free; and therefore offers you a monarchical constitution, this being of all others the most liberal. Brazilians, if this be not the opportunity for me to save your honour, and for you that of your Emperor, one more fit will never offer, and the beautiful Brazilian soil will be lacerated by anarchy. Well then, my friends, let us put an end, not only in Pernambuco, but throughout Brazil, and, if possible, throughout the world, to these demagogues and revolutionists who, representing themselves to the people as philanthropists, never loved mankind, never wished to see a single nation happy, but only wished to grasp riches and authority, without caring for anything else. France and the South American States will see, and even now they see, the benefits resulting from such friends of the people. Brazil, unfortunately for us, begins now to feel her evils—We swear independence or death; we shall be independent—We swear the integrity of the empire; it shall be maintained—We swear, lastly, a constitution; it shall rule for ever over the Brazilian soil.

The Constitutional Emperor, the Perpetual Defender of Brazil.

Rio de Janeiro, July 27, 1824.