Pelo bem da agricultura e do comércio: as dinâmicas sociais e econômicas no mundo rural do Centro-Norte (1780-1810)

Abstract

The last decades of the 18th century were an important moment for the economy of Grão-Pará. Influenced by the external situation that gave it opportunities for greater development of its endogenous productive and commercial sector. During this period, the captaincy of Grão-Pará became important for the Crown's interests in colonial territory. From Belém, commercial communications should be established with the captaincies of Mato Grosso and Goiás, guaranteeing territorial integrity and maintaining exports of colonial goods to Portugal. However, several issues arose that made it difficult to execute the planned actions, mainly in connection with Goiás. The Goiás villages were experiencing a systemic crisis after the collapse of mine production and were demanding a transition to an agricultural-based economy. Trade with Grão-Pará was seen as a solution to the problem of lack of goods and credit. Official documentation shows that the authorities were taking all possible measures to encourage agricultural activity, both for supplies and for export, but with few results. However, traders from Pará were reluctant after becoming aware of the real state of those villages. The Portuguese State, through its representatives, sought to develop the region by resuming its settlement policies based on prisons and records and agricultural development, granting tax exemptions and other benefits to settlers. Thus, we can see that the measures taken by both captaincies contributed to the creation of a wide-ranging commercial scheme throughout the Araguaia-Tocantins region.