Negócios e contratos: a trajetória de Manuel Ribeiro dos Santos em Minas Gerais setecentista

Abstract

This research aim stomake a study of the economic trajectory of the contractor Manuel Ribeiro dos Santos, a high ligh ted trader in the region of Vila Rica in the mid- eighteenthcentury. The performance of contractors in Minas Gerais, achieved great prominence during the peak of gold exploration, dueto its relation ship with the bodies of local Power and influence in the economic context. Manuel Ribeiro dos Santos stands out as one of the leading contractors of tithes, buying three term sof triennium between the years 1741-1750. He joined the select group of dealers/contractors Who formedan economic elite in Minas Gerais. Prospect so frecent analysis seek to understand the regional economic and politic environment, from the performance of right sand royal taxes contractors. Then, weseek contribute to thek now ledge of the logic in procurement system, introduced in the Minas Gerais from the performance of Manuel as contractor, analyzing the tools used by him for insertion in there strict ed group of contractors. We also observed a relation ship with the Portuguese administration and the main characteristics presented by Manuel contracts during his performance as contractor, establishing their business activitie slinked to the contract system.