Abstract
Little attention has been given to the Vice-Presidents of the Brazilian Imperial Provinces. They occupied a position with considerable role to the regional politics as well as to the relationship between local powers level and central government. Initially the Vice-Presidents were chosen among the members of the Provincial Assemblies; after 1840, they started to be appointed by the Imperial Court, although keeping their ground on the local political processes. This article addresses the Vice-Presidents activities in the Mato Grosso Province and their relative autonomy in face of central government representatives.
Keywords: Empire of Brazil; Vice-Presidents; politics; Mato Grosso