D. Pedro est decidé à se deffendre et la Ville de Porto j'espere será le boulevard de la liberté Portugaise.

Pedro was convinced – somewhat narcissistically – that his mere presence and charisma would have a magical effect and bring thousands flocking to his cause. The folly of these expectations was revealed when Oporto responded to Pedro's entry with marked lack of enthusiasm and many notable people proved reluctant to trust him or serve under him. The truth of Aberdeen's ‘magic poll’, to borrow Holland's words, had been now confirmed. This caution or reluctance – probably due more to fear of Miguel's agents than to genuine rejection of the Liberal cause – was strengthened by the attitude of the Church. Priests consistently warned their congregations of the spiritual dangers of adherence to the Liberal cause, which they equated with Freemasonry and heresy. Ironically, Pedro's first act as regent on the behalf of his daughter was to order the temporary suspension of the civil liberties, under the terms of the Constitutional Charter. Pedro's decree, which also carried Palmela's signature, was intended to prevent the spread of anti- Liberal propaganda, especially by the clergy.

In the absence of a specific plan to liberate the rest of Portugal and without enough resources to mount such a campaign, the Liberals applied themselves to strengthening the defences of Oporto against attack by the Absolutists. As Palmela noted, even if a plan for offensive operations had existed, nothing of significance could be attempted until the cavalrymen had been provided with suitable horses. In a letter to Lord William Russell, who had been sent to Lisbon on a special mission, Palmela explained that a number of things were needed to give the enterprise any chance of success. The requirements included horses for the senior officers, artillery and fifty guides. Palmela was accordingly ordered to London to ‘press for the remittance of money and assistance of all kinds which are urgently needed to continue the operations that have been undertaken’. Palmela was instructed ‘to collect a few clever senior officers and, if possible, some levies’. There can be little doubt that these were genuine requirements and that, given his contacts and experience, Palmela was the right man for the job.

Palmela embarked for England on 29 July and landed at Plymouth on 4 August.