The translator, Oliveira de Carvalho, a third-year student of canon law who had been living in England since 1831, compares the development of the English and Portuguese constitutional systems. He states that the Portuguese system would be more firmly grounded if citizens realized their true interests and duties. The date of publication of this volume coincides with the height of the struggle between the exiled liberals supporting D. Pedro IV (I of Brazil) and his daughter D. Maria II against the absolutists under D. Miguel. Some of the liberals favored the 1820 constitution, others the more moderate Charter of 1826 written by D. Pedro; the Miguelistas opposed all constitutions. Oliveira de Carvalho favored the Charter. On the title page, above the imprint in Italic letter appears the statement: "Offerecido aos Constitucionaes Portuguezes, como Principios Fundamentaes para a Consolida o da Carta Constitutional, datada em 29 de Abril de 1826." Canto, Ensaio bibliografico. 1828 a 1834, pp. 62-3; Gon alves Rodrigues, A traduo em Portugal 4298. Yolton notes no Portuguese language editions. OCLC records one copy, at the British Library.