[1] In July 1808, the Supreme Junta of Oporto appointed Freire commander-in-chief of the Portuguese forces in the north of the country.

Highly critical of the Convention of Cintra (August 1808),[1] by which Junot's French forces were allowed to leave Portugal after their defeat at Vimeiro by the Anglo-Portuguese forces commanded by Sir Arthur Wellesley, Freire was also resentful of British influence in the country.

[1] Having secretly fled from Braga, he had been seized by the Ordenanza of Tobossa, and brought back to the camp as a prisoner.

His second-in-command, Baron Eben, the colonel of the 2nd battalion of the Lusitanian Legion, had then thrown him into the gaol of Braga.

[2] The commander of the British invasion force, Sir Arthur Wellesley complained that it was difficult to cooperate with Freire.