Melo (Dom Rodrigo António de)
Original title: Melo (D. Rodrigo António de)
D. Rodrigo António de Melo governed Madeira as governor and captain-general from 1821 to 1822. He presided over the laying of the first stone of the Constitution monument.
His appointment as Governor and Captain-General (capitão-general, military governor of Madeira) of the Madeiran archipelago dates from June 1821, and he took office on 2 July of the same year. He was dismissed at his own request by royal letter (carta régia) of 22 March 1822, but he did not leave the government until his successor, António Manuel de Noronha, had arrived and taken office on 22 April 1822. It was he who presided, on 28 January 1822, over the ceremony of laying the first stone of the Constitution monument, which was marked by the greatest solemnity.
- D. Rodrigo António de Melo was appointed governor of Madeira in June and took office on 2 July.
- Funchal celebrated the first anniversary of the Constitution's proclamation with festivities, a thanksgiving sermon by Freitas Branco in the cathedral, and the laying by Governor D. Rodrigo António de Melo of the foundation stone of a constitutional monument in the Terreiro da Sé.
- A royal letter dismissed D. Rodrigo António de Melo as governor of Madeira at his own request.
- António Manuel de Noronha took office as governor of Madeira, succeeding D. Rodrigo António de Melo.