Por homens e caminhos: o contrato das entradas e o comércio nas Minas – 1762-1789

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the commercial flows between the Captaincy of Minas Gerais and Rio de Janeiro. Main port and supplying square Mines circumvent obstacles documentary in order to reconstruct the figures of trade by the new way was our walk home. Looking to gather documentation that would meet the shortcomings of the analysis so far, wanted to discuss the relations of power and possibilities present in the ascending auction of contracts, debts and the reasons for their bankruptcy. Analyzing the contractual debts, the income tax and its receipts, we demonstrate that the state economy was sufficiently able to pay off their debts and their reasons should be interpreted differently. After trying to justify the conditions under which the debts were piling up, demonstrating the fragility of the pendulum of power between a pole and another, our search fell on those who have not appeared on the list of those responsible for not paying down debt. With maximized power between 1762-1789, we also shed light on the importance of understanding the role of the records. First step in the taxation of Mines, and I think having the control over the credits, circulated under his knowledge all the information, goods, smuggling networks and market. Around this theme, the understanding of procurement of inputs, its administration, its revenues and debts appeared linked to the identification of the economic circumstances of the captaincy of Minas Gerais, the characteristics of their supply chains and networks of movement of their goods. Flows that were held by men, by networks of friends, relatives or cronies, information, experience and reliability were factors that govern access to credit, transport and remittances. Unequal trade, rooted in social, political and family, some monetized economy, permeated by monopolistic practices, its concentration was in few hands and there were few towns and rays that accumulated most of their destinations.