Almeida (Luiz Beltrão de Gouveia e)

He was appointed governor and captain-general of this archipelago on February 13, 1813, and took office on August 10 of the same year. He had conflicts with General Gordon, the commander of the British troops occupying Madeira, who, among other abuses, ordered the hanging of an English soldier who had killed one of his compatriot sergeants, thus seriously offending the majesty rights of the King of Portugal. He made every effort to withdraw those troops and was always zealous in the administration of public services. He wrote an extensive and remarkable report on the development of Madeiran agriculture, road construction, and other essential public improvements.

He died suddenly in Funchal on July 1, 1814, and was buried in the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament of the Cathedral.

Upon his death, and in accordance with the legal provisions in force, the diocesan bishop D. Fr. Joaquim de Menezes Ataíde, the magistrate of the district Dr. Manuel C. de Almeida e Albuquerque, and the highest-ranking officer Antonio Alberto de Andrade Perdigão assumed the superior government of the archipelago.

The commander of the British forces claimed to be part of this government, a claim opposed by the other members and approved by the central government.