Das ribeiras o tesouro, da receita o sustento: a administração da Provedoria da Fazenda Real do Rio Grande (1606-1723)

Abstract

This work analyzes, from an institutional historical view, the establishment and consolidation of a financial administration in the Captaincy of Rio Grande, investigating its officers and their acts in Provedoria of Royal Treasury, between early 16th and 17th centuries. That temporal gap covers since the firsts tax enforcements at Rio Grande, c. 1606, the reduction of its jurisdiction, in 1723, to the foundation of a Royal Treasury in Siará Grande, previously administered by Rio Grande. Thus, settling a bureaucratic tax system in that captaincy, the crown tried to legitimate the control and colonization in overseas territories. From a simple officer corps, in early 17th century, to consolidation of tax districts (zonas fiscais), the capitaincie’s ribeiras, were established in a structured administrative system. Therefore, analyzing various administrative documents, this study try to understand the organization of Royal treasury in Rio Grande and the officer corp’s role, working for tax revenues, and the creation of Rio Grande’s jurisdiction. Finally, it was understood like, along a historical process, was established in that captaincy the tax districts, settled in by human labor at Royal Treasury, in 17th century.