Trans-Imperial Networks and Colonial Identity in Bourbon Rio De La Plata

Distribution Agreement In presenting this thesis or dissertation as a partial fulfillment of the requirements for an advanced degree from Emory University, I hereby grant to Emory University and its agents the non-exclusive license to archive, make accessible, and display my thesis or dissertation in whole or in part in all forms of media, now or hereafter known, including display on the world wide web. I understand that I may select some access restrictions as part of the online submission of this thesis or dissertation. I retain all ownership rights to the copyright of the thesis or dissertation. I also retain the right to use in future works (such as articles or books) all or part of this thesis or dissertation. _____________________________ ______________ Fabrício P. Prado Date In the Shadows of Empires: Trans-Imperial Networks and Colonial Identity in Bourbon Rio de la Plata By Fabrício Prado Doctor of Philosophy History _________________________________________ Prof. Susan Migden Socolow Advisor _________________________________________ Prof. Jeffrey Lesser Committee Member _________________________________________ Prof. David Eltis Committee Member Accepted: _______________________________________ Lisa A. Tedesco, Ph.D. Dean of the Graduate School ___________________ Date In the Shadows of Empires: Trans-Imperial Networks and Colonial Identity in Bourbon Rio de la Plata (c. 1750 – c.1813) Fabrício Prado Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, MA 2002 Advisor: Prof. Susan Migden Socolow Samuel Candler Dobbs Professor of History An abstract of A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of the Graduate School of Emory University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in History. 2009 Abstract In the Shadows of Empires: Trans-imperial Networks and Colonial Identity in Bourbon Rio de la Plata (c.1760 – c.1813) By Fabrício Prado The Rio de la Plata region was one of the most disputed areas in the Atlantic World in the early modern period. Although peripheral in the Spanish mercantile system, the region was the theater of colonial disputes between Spain and Portugal, but also an area of interest for the British and the French. As a result, Rio de la Plata became an area of intense trans-imperial and trans-national interactions. This dissertation analyzes the significance of trans-imperial networks in the late colonial historical context. I argue that, in peripheral regions, colonial subjects developed social and economic networks that crossed imperial borders, and that the control of such networks, coupled with manipulation of imperial legislation, bolster their autonomy before the colonial centers of power. My research examines how groups centered in Montevideo expanded their political, social and economical influence over the surrounding region, the Banda Oriental, through a process of controlling social and trade networks between the Portuguese and Anglo Americas, and reinterpreting colonial legislation. Thus, in peripheral areas, trans-imperial networks offered different political, social and economic options to local societies, shaping notions of community and regional identity within the broader Atlantic context. In the Shadows of Empires: Trans-Imperial Networks and Colonial Identity in Bourbon Rio de la Plata (c. 1750 – c.1813) Fabrício Prado Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, MA 2002 Advisor: Prof. Susan Migden Socolow Samuel Candler Dobbs Professor of History A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of the Graduate School of Emory University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in History. 2009 Acknowledgements This project started as the continuation of a previous research about the Portuguese colony in Rio de la Plata, Colônia do Sacramento. My initial idea was to investigate what happened in the aftermath of the expulsion of the Portuguese from the region, after a century long presence. In many ways, this dissertation attempts to provide answers to this question. During my research, I realized that the presence of foreign subjects was crucial for regional processes of trade, identity and community building. The relationship between regional and Atlantic processes was paramount. As a result, this project grew in unexpected ways, incorporating new methodologies, new ideas, and a new framework that complicated and offered more nuanced explanations for the questions it poses, situating the Rio de la Plata in the Atlantic World. The outcome of this work was in part affected by my own experience as a Brazilian studying the history of Rio de la Plata in the U.S. The networks of scholarship and friendship in which I became a participant made clear that state-centered approaches do not provide satisfactory answers – people were never imprisoned by imaginary limits that nation-states try to naturalize in our minds. In this work, there are two implicit assumptions: the current mythology of nation states is more recent and less powerful than historians believed in the 20th century, and that it is useless to think of social groups as being isolated – societies and social groups, after all, only develop in relationship to each other. I tried to explore processes that unfolded before the nation-state claimed monopoly over the loyalty of people confined within its realm. Some of the answers provided here might prove that some practices and strategies from the time before the nation are still extremely relevant to understanding social dynamics in Latin America and in the Atlantic World in the contemporary phase of globalization. Social networks preceded and probably will survive the height of the nation states. The making of this dissertation was possible because of a great number of scholars, archivists and friends who helped me in many ways. All the responsibility for the text is mine, but I am seriously indebted to all of those who gave me suggestions, criticism, and support for these past years. I would like to thank the Department of History of Emory University for their generous support. The Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Institute for Critical International Studies, and the Latin American and Caribbean Studies Program at Emory University provided crucial funds for field research. The fellowships awarded by the Lilly Library, and the Luso-American Foundation for Development allowed me to access great collections in the US and in Lisbon. The fellowship at the John Carter Brown Library (JCBL) not only allowed me to explore the fantastic collection of the JCBL, but provided an excellent environment for scholarly work. To the JCBL staff and my fellow fellows of 2008, a special thanks. At the Center for Historical Research of the Ohio State University, I found a safe haven to finish writing the dissertation and a supportive group of people who helped me through the journey known as the “job market.” Thank you, Professors Ken Andrien, Alan Gallay and Geoffrey Parker. My fellow fellows Joe Miller and Kittiya Lee provided stimulus and great ideas. Kittiya deserves a special mention for her support and friendship during my year in Columbus, and beyond. This project started back in Porto Alegre, and I would like to say thanks to Susana Bleil the Souza and to the memory of Sandra Pesavento for their initial support of my endeavor of breaking the aquarium walls and try swimming in the big ocean. Historians Paulo Estivalet and Miguel do Espírito Santo helped me with good chats about Uruguayan history and important information about the borderland. My friends Fabio Kuhn and Eduardo Neumann deserve special mention. Their camaraderie and love for history made this journey easier and certainly, much more fun. Their generosity and rigorous scholarship were only surpassed by their friendship. To the South Atlantic crew, Fabio Pesavento, Tiago Gil and Martha Hameister, my words of gratitude are not enough. Fabio, Tiago and Martha are good friends and generous colleagues with whom I shared documents and ideas. Fabinho, that Chinese Christmas dinner in Madrid will always be remembered! In Rio de Janeiro, I would like to thank the staff of the Arquivo Nacional and the Arquivo Histórico do Itamaraty. I am indebted with Professors Manolo Florentino and João Fragoso for their support, advice and generosity in different stages of this research. To Caro e Flu my special thanks – the Gaucho embassy of Humaitá will always be remembered with affection. My days in São Paulo would not be same if it was not for the baron Filipinho Diefenbach. Aquele abraço! In Montevideo, I am indebted to the staff of the Archivo General de la Nacion, and of the Archivo Historico de la Catedral. I thank Nelsys Buby Fusco for the support and generosity. Ana Frega gave me crucial advice in our charlas en la facultad and helped me sharpen my arguments. Arturo Bentancur was always generous and supportive of my research since my first trip, back when I was a master’s student asking questions about Sacramento. Arturo, talking to you about “our friends” from the 18th century always renewed my confidence in the feasibility of the project. Muchíssimas gracias! In Buenos Aires, I would like to thank the staff of the Archivo General de la Nacion. Professor Jorge Gelman always provided friendly support for my work, and I continue to be indebted to his challenging crucial questions, which have allowed me to see beyond the obvious horizon. To Gabriel Di Meglio: the lines of Atmosphere are still echoing in the routes of the Altantic. Gustavo Paz, thanks for the friendship, support and advice. The old guerrero and dear friend Rodrigo Vergara made Buenos Aires feel like home once again. Ro, thanks for the hospitality and friendship. In Lisbon, my days would not be the same without the hospitality and friendship of Paulo Souza and Antonio. Without the generosity and advice of Erika Dias, my research at Arquivo Historico Ultramarino would not have produced even 50% of the results I was able to achieve. To Professor Pedro Cardim, many thanks for the comments and academic support.

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