CORRÊA (CORREIA), Francisco Ferreira.
[Drop title:] Gabinete do prssidente [!] da provincia do Espirito Santo, em 17 de outubro de 1871 ...
[Vitória, Espíritu Santo, Brazil], 17 October 1871. Folio (ca. 27.5 x 21 cm). Single sheet. [1], [1 blank] pp.
€ 1,750
Printed letter signed by the president of the province of Espírito Santo in Brazil, Francisco Ferreira Corrêa (or Correia, 1834-1876). This document, dated 17 October 1871, is an official communication from the president. It addresses the effects of "Law no. 2,040", enacted on 28 September 1871, which is associated with the gradual emancipation of slaves in Brazil and the transition of agricultural labour from enslaved individuals to free labourers. In this letter, Corrêa acknowledges that the implementation of this law will inevitably impact the agricultural economy, as the labour force would shift from enslaved people to free workers.
This letter is essentially an appeal to the elite and landowners in the province, encouraging them not to be indifferent to the changes and to actively participate in the transition process. The goal is to ensure that agriculture, which is the main source of wealth for the region, continues to thrive despite the shift away from slavery.
The letter from Francisco Ferreira Corrêa highlights the challenges of implementing such a transition in a society deeply reliant on slave labour, as well as the need for concerted efforts from local authorities and landowners to adapt to the new labour dynamics and ensure the continued prosperity of the region's agriculture.
The letter is signed in manuscript in purple ink " ... Francisco Ferr[eir]a Correa", with a manuscript addition to the printed "Illm. Sr." at the foot of the leaf in the same purple ink reading: "[Illm.]os [Sr.]es Presidente e mais Vereadores da Camara Municipal desta Capital", and a manuscript (inventory) number added in brown ink in the right upper corner of the recto of the leaf "162". With some faint horizontal folding lines, a horizontal tear (3.5 cm.) in the left upper margin along the upper folding line, not affecting the text, the leaf is slightly browned and foxed. Otherwise in good condition. For Corrêa see: "Francisco Ferreira Correa" on Memória Política de Santa Catarina via: https://memoriapolitica.alesc.sc.gov.br/biografia/1316-Francisco_Ferreira_Correa.
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