The “robbery that is so frequent...”: smuggling and illicit commercial practices in the activities of the contratador João Rodrigues de Macedo

Abstract

This article analyzes the smuggling in the eighteenth century as depicted in the correspondence of the contratador João Rodrigues de Macedo sent to his subordinates. It will be discussed the practices of smuggling in Minas Gerais and the several measures implemented by Portugal to prevent it, as well as the personal relationships of João Macedo in the context of the tolerated illicit trade and the condemned illegal commerce.