Chapter Two - Constitutionalism Before The Fico 1821–1822

Summary

Silva Lisboa's first five publications were published from 1821 to January 1822. The first four publications, Conciliador do Reino Unido, Diálogo entre Filósofo e Pastor, Notas ao Despacho Circular do Congresso de Laibach and Despertador Brasiliense, respond to current events, even when they adopt a lyric style as in the Diálogo. The fifth one, Sabatina familiar de amigos do bem-comum, has a pedagogical interest and does not relate directly to any current events. However, some of the ideas presented in it are important for an understanding of Silva Lisboa's conception of politics and society and its last issue, and the decision to end this publication, is influenced by the latest events. All these early publications are anonymous, and some are incomplete, as identified by Vianna. The analysis Vianna made of those he was able to access was superficial and vague, in line with his idea of presenting a general overview of the Brazilian press in the nineteenth century.

These first five publications by Silva Lisboa were all published before the Fico. It was a period in which the ideas of independence were not openly discussed in the press, especially by those who were part of the administration and held allegiance to the King, the ‘coimbrões’. Silva Lisboa epitomized some of the ideas of this group and was appointed in 1808 by the fellow Coimbra alumni and secretary of Foreign Affairs and War, Sousa Coutinho, as one of the three directors and censors of the Impressão Régia (Regal Press). According to Kirschner, he presented the ideal profile to exercise a royal position of importance: ‘Erudito, fiel vassalo e bom católico, preenchia as condições para exercer o cargo de censor na Impressão Régia com “probidade, prudência e zelo da religião e do bem público” ‘ (A scholar, faithful vassal and a good Catholic, he fulfilled the conditions to exercise the position of censor at the Royal Press with ‘probity, prudence and zeal for religion and the public good’).

He launched his career as a journalist by retaining his allegiance to a union with Portugal under Dom João VI even if in his earliest publications, such as the Conciliador, he presented a favourable view of the Constitution due to his education in Coimbra and his reading of authors such as Montesquieu