Real forte príncipe da beira : ocupação oeste da Capitania de Mato Grosso e seu processo construtivo (1775-1783)

Abstract

This research aims to analyze the construction process of the Royal Fort Prince of Beira, 1775-1783, on the western border of Mato Grosso Captaincy with the Spanish lands in colonial America, as part of a set of fortifications as the Royal Fort Prince of border and the Forte de Coimbra, as well as stingrays and villages built by the Portuguese in the early eighteenth century in the Brazilian Midwest. He stresses the causes that led the Portuguese to take the territory that was in dispute, as well as the structure that was set up to serve them in this endeavor. So, were used as primary sources letters of APMT (Public File Mato Grosso), and documents of the commanders and staff of the Royal Crown, who worked on the construction of the Royal Fort. Also used were reports of travelers and chroniclers of the nineteenth century. We tried to analyze the functionality of the fort in relation to border security and the exploitation of natural resources such as cocoa and minerals like gold, as well as the labor of Indians and blacks in the same building. The performance of the fortress of the function with its walls of rough stones and impenetrable, played the role of protecting and demarcates the territory of the colony. The riots generated in the construction site, punishment, salary payments and escape.