The “State of Brazil” in the Eve of the 17th Century. An unpublished letter by Governor-general Diogo Botelho (Olinda, 1602)

Abstract

This paper presents and analyzes an unknown letter of Governor-general Diogo Botelho, written in Olinda in 1602. The manuscript provides unprecedented information about Colonial Brazil, describing several undertakings in progress during the beginning of the Iberian Union. The document offers the perspective of a high colonial official, newly arrived from Portugal. He gives insight on his attempts to identify the peculiarities of different networks formed during the sixteenth century and how he could interact with them, employing power resources such as Economy of Favors (economia de mercês), rewards and punishment.