The early part of his work in Espírito Santo involved pursuing and attacking natives within his territory, a governmental practice that had in its objective the expansion of internal navigation.
[2] After 1823, the reformist politics of the Count of Subserra (a Terceirense), powerful minister of John VI of Portugal, reestablished the Captaincy-General of the Azores, giving it a new politico-administrative organization for the territory.
[2][4] Following the 10 March 1826 abdication by D. Pedro, Queen D. Maria II signed a new Constitutional Charter and sent to the Azores Lord Stuart to promulgate the law and swear fealty to the new monarch.
[2] But, with rising tensions between Absolutists and Liberals, D. Pedro decided to marry his daughter, Queen D. Maria II (who was still a minor), to his brother (D. Miguel) and transfer to him the Regency, thereby avoiding conflict.
[4] When a boat delivering these orders docked in Velas on 11 June 1828, its military officers discovered that local authorities were hesitant and poorly motivated to acclaim the Infante King in the islands of the Azores.