Devourism (Portuguese: Devorismo) was the pejorative term to describe the political regime which established itself in Portugal following the Liberal Wars, particularly during the period from 24 September 1834 to 9 September 1836, while the Constitutional Charter of 1826 was in effect. It was intended to convey a sense of unprincipled greed, whereby leading politicians spent public funds in abundance to secure personal gain for themselves or their associates.[1] [2] [3] The term was coined after a piece of legislation was drafted on 15 April 1835, which provided for the sale of national property and property of the Catholic Church, and facilitated their disposal among leading members of the liberal party.[4]
One of the great reforms of this period was the reform of local administration, which divided the country into seventeen districts on 25 April 1835), also creating three new districts Madeira and the Azores. The position of Civil Governor was established, with postholders choosing mayors, who in turn chose parish commissioners. These reforms, with their substantially centralising effect, were used to steadily remove radicals from positions of power and replace them with those who had favoured the cause of Miguel I and the return of an absolute monarchy.[5]
The first Devourist government took office on the day King Pedro IV died, on 24 September 1834.[6] Led by the Duque de Palmela, it was composed of conservatives and the late king's associates in the Grand Orient of Portugal Masonic lodge. After 28 April 1835, Palmela was succeeded by the Count of Linhares. The members of the government were:
| Ministry | Minister | Term |
| [7] Agostinho José Freire |