Trajetórias político-administrativas no Império Português: Sebastião de Castro e Caldas e seu governo na capitania de Pernambuco (1707-1710)

Abstract

In this article, we propose a systematic study of Pernambuco's daily life and modes of government based on the trajectory of Sebastião de Castro e Caldas who took over the capital's government between June 1707 and November 1710. The figure of the governor is one of the main engines of the colonial administration, he is responsible for military control, defense of the territory and has all the autonomy to negotiate with the local powers. Throughout the work, the contrast between the normative documentation that guided the political-administrative activities in Portuguese America and the reality of government practice will be discussed, taking into account the search for ascension and social prestige and the defense of real interests in overseas conquests.