replacing the unpopular Araújo e Azevedo. Both political groups in the Azores were hopeful for his tenure: the Liberals, expected a confirmation of the Pro-Constitutional ideas, and the Absolutists, convinced that his nomination by King D. John VI before the revolution, would guarantee his support for the dominance of the monarchy. The Absolutists were immediately vindicated when Stockler prohibited political contact with Portugal and requested new members of the administration and judiciary from Rio de Janeiro, ignoring the legitimacy and authority of Liberal institutions in Lisbon. When the Liberals realized that the new Captain-General was not an ally, the Azoreans began a movement to proclaim, by revolution, a constitutional model in the archipelago. Capitalizing on the discontent with the governance of the Captains-General, on 1 March 1821, a military revolt in Ponta Delgada erupted, headed-by Noronha and lieutenant João Soares de Albergaria, inspired by civil elements angry with the dominance of Terceira (militarily and economically). A constitutional regime was installed in São Miguel, proclaiming the independence of the island from the dominion of the government in Angra. This bloodless revolution was supported by members of the nobility, clerics, magistrates and councilors. On the following day many of the municipal authorities supported to revolt. On 27 March 1821, Stockler publishes a proclamation to the people of São Miguel, condemning the separation of the Captaincy General and admonishing the consequences of the oath to a non-existent Constitution. But, the interim government did not lose time and revoked many of the laws that subordinated the island of São Miguel to Terceira, abolishing taxes and annulling orders of Stockler that prohibited contacts with the Liberal continent. Meanwhile, the Junta Governativa of the Kingdom, established on the continent, recognized the Interim government administration in São Miguel and Santa Maria, and placed Stockler in charge of the remaining islands. Stockler was duplicitous: he feign support for the Liberals but fiercely pursued them and their sympathizers. In April a contingent that included André da Ponte Quental (grandfather of the illustrious Micaelense poet Antero de Quental) and Father Medeiros Mântua presented criticisms and complaints in Lisbon that included accusations of misappropriations of the treasury and overburdening the population, as well as a requesting a bishopric for the two islands. In response, Lisbon ordered the division of the Azores into three comarcas (Ponta Delgada, Angra and Horta) governed by Juízes Corregedores (Judge Magistrates) who among their functions oversaw their