Abstract
In this article, we introduce five letters written, in the late seventeenth century, by the municipal Council of São Luís do Maranhão, in colonial northern Brazil, to a former governor of the region. Through their correspondence, the councillors strove to gain the governor’s favour to intervene in the Court on issues related to the local government, such as the question of labour force and fiscal problems. The letters make clear the importance of political communication and the relationship established between local authorities and influential individuals in the Court to negotiate with royal power.
Keywords
Local government; political communication; State of Maranhão and Grão-Pará; São Luís do Maranhão; seventeenth century