His governorship in the Azores was characterized by attempts to bring more structure to the municipal government, while establishing privileges for the local aristocracy, in the local municipalities. The captain-general ordered that municipal authorities be members of the nobility or men of letters. Miguel António challenged the constant problem of agricultural subsistence and exports, by prohibiting exports, thus eliminating the spectre of famine, but creating economic problems for merchants. Melo then decreed the free export of foodstuffs, except in cases of famine, obliging exporters to sell them to the "Celeiro Publico" ("public storehouse").