The two faces of Janus: Magistrates, elite families and mediation in south Brazil between 1808 and 1831

Abstract

Brokerage is a social phenomenon which implies mediation between societies of different amplitudes. Our study applies such concept to understand connection between the province Rio Grande São Pedro and the Portuguese royal court in the city of Rio de Janeiro. We intend to demonstrate how family bounds between magistrates of Justice nominated by the central power and local elite families creates a link that creates unity between both spaces. To magistrates the union allowed the ascension in the political positions created after the independence of Brazil. To the elite families was given the possibility to express their political interests regarding the new vocabulary that emerged in the 1820’s and 1830’s. Although we are analyzing the province of Rio Grande de São Pedro we try to demonstrate the viability of the phenomenon to other provinces of the Brazilian Empire. 

Key words: bachelor of laws, elite, magistrate, mediation.