Em meio às disputas atlânticas: a provedoria da Fazenda Real do Maranhão e Grão-Pará (século XVII)

Abstract

This research seeks to understand, from the perspective of political-administrative history, the establishment and functioning dynamics of the fiscal sphere through the Royal Treasury Office of the State of Maranhão and Grão-Pará during the 17th century. Based on a vast set of documents belonging to the Overseas Historical Archive (AHU), which was feasible through the Barão do Rio Branco Rescue Project, the Torre do Tombo National Archive (ANTT), and the Maranhão State Public Archive (APEM), we analyze the initial attempts to establish a staff of officers for the fiscal body, as well as the administrative procedures that were the basis of taxation in the Captaincy of Maranhão in the first half of the 17th century. Soon after the expulsion of the French in 1615, it was possible to identify the beginnings of the Portuguese organization in the new conquest through the appointment of servants to compose the staff of the Office. However, these individuals refused to move to occupy a position in Maranhão, which resulted in the management of taxation by the Pernambuco Provedorate until 1626, the year in which the first provider of the Royal Treasury arrived in the Captaincy of Maranhão.