BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF DOM PEDRO II. 175 



what, under the circumstances, was his duty: for if, on the one hand, he 

 desired to enforce obedience to the sovereign authority of Portugal, on 

 the other, he found the nation quite ready to proclaim him as king, but 

 also determined not to hesitate even in the use of force, if necessary to 

 secure independence. There was in his mind a terrible conflict between 

 the apparent duty — which he had not the strength to discharge — and 

 the noble ambition of preventing the return of a people who had tasted 

 of the sweet cup of liberty to a colonial condition. Added to the latter 

 consideration was the fact that his father and sovereign had in advance 

 released him from the loyal adherence which was his due, and had him- 

 self suggested the solution of the question of Brazilian independence, 

 if it were irresistibly presented. 



. Under these circumstances, the Portuguese Cortes themselves relieved 

 Dom Pedro of his embarrassment ; first by the issue of orders tending to 

 deprive him of all administrative authority over the Brazilian provinces, 

 and finally by his recall to Europe. The departure of the prince would 

 have compelled the Brazilians to assert their rights by the demand for 

 another occupant for their throne. The moment was decisive, and the 

 Brazilians understood this so well that they entreated Dom Pedro to 

 remain in the country, in order that the contest might be avoided which 

 must inevitably ensue, and also that he might assist them in securing 

 finally their independence. Dom Pedro yielded to the desire of the 

 nation, expressed to him through its legitimate representatives, in 

 words which have become celebrated in the history of Brazil : " Since 

 it is for the good of the country, I remain." Brazilian independence, 

 under the form of a monarchy, was decided from that moment. Whether 

 Dom Pedro was actuated entirely by ambition, or solely by the desire 

 to found a free state — which is much more in accordance with his chiv- 

 alrous disposition — there was now for him no honorable retreat. Like 

 Caesar, after passing the Rubicon, contrary to the orders of the Roman 

 senate, he could say, u Alea jacta est /" 



Events followed in rapid succession. The resolution to remain in 

 Brazil contrary to the expressed orders of the mother country was taken 

 on the 9th of January, 1822. Only four months after, the young prince 

 accepted the title of Perpetual Protector of Brazil, offered to him by the 

 municipality of Rio de Janeiro in the name of the nation, and on the 

 12th of October of the same year he was proclaimed Emperor, under 

 the name of Dom Pedro I. The independence of Brazil was thus 

 peaceably obtained, for the Portuguese garrisons in the country made 

 but slight resistance and were soon overcome.* 



The empire established, it was necessary to give it a constitution, bat 

 the discussion of this important document led to very serious disagree- 

 ments between the members of the chamber of deputies and the sover- 



- * The independence of Brazil was recognized by Portugal in the treaty of the 29th 

 ef August, which imposed upon the country the payment of two millions of pounds 

 sterling. 



