“THE FAITHFUL AND USEFUL versus THE INFIDEL AND SAVAGE”: THE DISPUTE OVER INDIGENOUS LABOR FORCE IN THE POMBALINE LEGISLATION (1757)

A DISPUTA PELA FORÇA DE TRABALHO INDÍGENA NAS LEGISLAÇÕES POMBALINAS (1757)

Abstract

The focus of this text is to discuss the Pombaline indigenous legislation to examine the use of indigenous labor force in the mid-18th century is the scope of the text. In particular, our aim is to present some considerations regarding the historical source “Directorio, que se deve observar nas povoaçoens dos indios do Para e, Maranhaõ enquanto Sua Magestade naõ mandar o contrario” (1757). This document allows us to contextualize the disputes among the clergy, military, landowners, and nobility over the enslavement of indigenous people in the Luso-Brazilian colonial territory.