After the Liberal Revolution of 1820, with the diffusion of liberal idealism throughout the country and archipelago, in 1823, four clergy, five monks and 11 laymen who professed these ideas were detained in the convent. The group were captured in Praia and transferred under military escort to Angra. They entered by the "Porta dos Carros" ("Carriage Gate"), were they encountered local absolute monarchists, armed with iron cuttings who attempted to lynch the free-thinks.