Constitution of 1838
Original title: Constituição de 1838
Short account of the Portuguese Constitution of 1838, drawn up after the 1836 revolution restored the 1820 Constitution, and of its solemn swearing in Madeira; it lasted until 1842, when the 1826 Charter was restored.
The revolution that broke out in the country in 1836, with the aim of abolishing the Constitutional Charter (Carta Constitucional) promulgated in 1826, brought back the Constitution of 1820, which the queen swore to uphold on 10 September 1836. In Madeira the solemn oath to this Constitution was taken on 25 September of the same year. Once elected, the Constituent Cortes (constituent parliament) drew up a new constitution in 1838, which was solemnly sworn on this island on 6 May of that year. This Constitution remained in force only until 1842, when the Constitutional Charter of 1826 was restored once more.
- D. Pedro IV granted the Constitutional Charter to the Portuguese monarchy.
- The September Revolution in Portugal overturned the Constitutional Charter and the queen swore the restored Constitution of 1820, so the newly elected Cortes never met; in Madeira it passed without notable hostilities.
- The restored Constitution of 1820 was solemnly sworn in Madeira.
- The Constitution of 1838 was solemnly sworn in Madeira.
- The 1826 Constitutional Charter was restored, ending the Constitution of 1838; in Madeira the title of civil governor was reinstated.