During his stay in Rio de Janeiro, the Cortes began to receive complaints related to Brigadier Francisco António de Araújo e Azevedo as Governor and Captain-General of the Azores. The populations of the archipelago and insular authorities complained of the military rigor and preferential attitude of the official when conceding lands. In this case, Araújo e Azevedo conceded land to friends of the Captain-General, over the interests of the people and municipal authorities. This appropriation of the vacant lands gave rise to deep hatreds and disagreements, and later led to the "Justiça da Noite" riot which, for decades, undermined the island peace.