D. João VI was the first monarch in history to cross the Atlantic in both directions. Is it just because of this that he deserves a place in history?
D. João VI deserves to go down in history for several reasons. When, in 1807, he decided to send a court to Brazil to save the empire’s independence, the son of Don Maria I risked everything on this trip. Never before has a European sovereign changed the hemisphere, in which there would be about 15,000 people. To make such a decision, you need to show composure. It was not. In 1821-O Regresso do Rei, Armando Seixas Ferreira tells of the journey and arrival of D. João VI in Lisbon, 13 years after he left with his court in Brazil, where he made Rio de Janeiro the capital of the Empire. thus avoiding capture by the French invaders, as happened with his son-in-law Fernando VII of Spain. A journalist foray into history, the author describes the entire period well, especially the influence of the Brazilian years of the reign of the king on the other side of the Atlantic, guarding the crown. This resolution ruined Napoleon’s plans for the Iberian Peninsula. In Brazil, D. João declared war on France, organized a defense against England and inflicted serious defeats on the enemy. Starting with the conquest of French Guiana and defeating the French in Portugal three times under the command of the Duke of Wellington. At the presentation of my book at the National Palace of Ajuda, Vice Admiral Gouveia and Melo said that D. João VI was a cunning and clever king who realized that much later strategists came to write, the so-called “depth”. territory “. Guveya-e-Melo explained that the king used the ocean and Brazil to defend the nation, using all that depth and retreating to the point where he could regain independence again, thereby establishing for the first time the creation of a European kingdom in Brazil. … Arriving in Lisbon in 1821, D. João VI returns as a king who freed his vassals and defeated Napoleon. I think that’s why he deserves a place in history.

When D. João VI leaves Rio de Janeiro for Lisbon in 1821, Napoleon is a few days from his death in Santa Elena. Was the Portuguese king, as the former French emperor said, the only one who deceived him?
This book is a study based on the study of contemporary sources, such as the journals of the ships that made the voyage of D. João VI to Portugal. I also used letters, manuscripts and newspapers. I have consulted an extensive bibliography and have always tried to focus on the testimonies of the major players of the time. While in captivity on the British island of St. Helena, Napoleon suggests that something went wrong on the peninsula. “This is where I got lost,” Bonaparte said, referring to military defeats against the Anglo-Portuguese armies. In 1807, French newspapers were outraged by the departure of the court to Brazil, publicly admitting that Prince D. Juan had deceived them. It should be remembered that a month before departure, France and Spain signed the secret Fontainebleau treaty, which provided for the division of Portugal and its colonies by two aggressor countries. I think that D. João had enough reasons to transfer the court to Brazil.

After 13 years in Brazil, D. João VI was hurt when he returned to Lisbon? Were you happy in Rio?
The king always postponed leaving for Portugal, because he knew that this could mean the separation of the two kingdoms. At that time, the seat of government was Rio de Janeiro. From December 1815, Portugal was renamed the United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil and the Algarves. D. João realized that it would be easier to preserve the unity of the empire if he ruled from Rio de Janeiro, where he would have spent the happiest years of his life. He lived in the Quinta da Boa Vista palace, separated from his wife. After Napoleon, his greatest enemy was D. Carlota Joaquin. In Rio, D. Juan founded a botanical garden. He got into carriages in the city and spent time at Ilha do Governador, where he enjoyed the beautiful air of a beautiful farm, as reported by the Moroccan librarian in his letters to Lisbon. I read a lot. He was fond of religious music and the fine arts and sponsored several artists. D. Joao was popular at the time. The etiquette of the Portuguese court was very strict. The royal kissing ceremony lasted almost the entire day. Witnesses claim that, despite his shyness, he was very patient and listened to all requests. He spoke the language of the people and never got bored. He looked flawless to rule. It was kind and sentimental. He suffered a lot because of the death of his insane mother, D. Maria I, in 1816. The following year, he received the bride of his son D. Pedro in Rio de Janeiro. Archduchess of Austria D. Leopoldina, who traveled from Italy to Brazil on the ship D. João VI. In 1821, it was to become the flagship of the squadron that brought the yard to Portugal. There is a collection of little-known watercolors among us illustrating life on this 74-gun ship. I was inspired by surrounding these drawings and nautical diaries, which I found in the Historical Archives of the Navy, to tell the story of the 68-day crossing between the port of Rio de Janeiro and the city of Lisbon, an expedition that took place exactly two centuries ago, on the eve of Brazil’s independence. What happened during this transition? At that time the seas were swarming with corsairs. What was the mood of the king? What was life like for sailors on a 19th century battleship? I realized that this job was about to be done. We are very familiar with the trip of the vessel to Brazil, but the story of the return of the vessel to Portugal remains to be told.

How does the king’s return to Portugal fit into the context of the liberal revolution of 1820?
The Portuguese are tired of English rule and rule. Marshal Beresford was unpopular after the hanging of Gomes Freire de Andrade and other leaders of the 1817 conspiracy. Portugal became impoverished and liberal values ​​spoke louder. Taking advantage of a trip to Brazil to strengthen his forces, the Briton was prevented from landing in Lisbon. The courts demanded the return of the king. But D. João decided to send Prince D. Pedro, leaving him in Rio de Janeiro. A military statement in the capital, Rio de Janeiro, changed events, for the first time highlighting the figure of Prince D. Pedro, who managed to stop a military coup. D. João VI changed his mind and decided to return to Portugal, leaving his son regent in Brazil. The king realized that the winds of change were blowing from Europe. He has taken off his old coat of absolutism and is not averse to embracing liberal ideals, becoming the first constitutional king. Everything for the good of the nation. And he continued to reign. This is what impresses D. João VI. Ability to adapt to circumstances. He acted extremely carefully, withstanding all blows and threats. Unlike D. Jose’s grandfather, who delegated power to the Marquis of Pombal, D. João VI retained the final decision. The Liberal Revolution came at a high cost and accelerated the secession of Brazil.

Was the independence of Brazil under Bragança and the preservation of territorial unity the result of the reign of D. João VI in Rio?
I think so. This book also examines the history of Brazilian independence. Historians like Oliveira Lima are unanimous. The stay of the court in Rio de Janeiro benefited the Brazilians. For 13 years, D. Joao began important reforms. He opened Brazilian ports to friendly nations, created schools, courts and even a bank. He developed the press and laid the foundations of the modern state. The population has grown dramatically. Having settled in Rio, D. João VI strengthened the Portuguese language in this hemisphere and the unity of Brazil. Meanwhile, Spanish America was breaking up into several republics. Before D. Pedro disobeyed the Portuguese courts, which demanded his return to Portugal, D. João foresaw the separation of the two countries, saying that he prefers that the crown remain on his son’s head, and not be given to some adventurer. However, D. Pedro proclaimed the independence of Brazil in 1822. Later, having appointed his son as his successor, D. João VI kept the secret hope of restoring the United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil and the Algarves in the person of his eldest son.