“MONSTROUS AND ILLEGAL PROCEEDINGS”: LAW ...

them political and social prestige. This augmented their power both locally and in the eyes
of the state. When they were not campaigning militarily, important frontier commanders
like Canabarro could use their substantial resources and prestige to influence local electoral
politics. In the process, they could further consolidate their position in the social hierarchy.
The Ribeiros also possessed their own web of military connections. Canabarro’s
overall military command of the region, however, accorded him an increasingly dominant
position in local politics. Simply put, as the ranking military figure in the comarca, Canabarro
could summon more resources to influence electoral conflicts. Canabarro could also use his
personal power to discipline the Ribeiros. By way of example, Canabarro requested that the
provincial president relieve both Severino and Feliciano Ribeiro from their local military
commands for insubordination during the initial moments of the Paraguayan invasion in
1865. This reflected his power over his rivals in the military sphere. In doing so, Canabarro
wrote that the Ribeiros “have never served or will serve to command or fulfill their roles that
they have procured in the National Guard.” 54
Even five years before this, the Ribeiro faction had recognized the danger
Canabarro’s substantial power to summon the National Guard to vote in local elections
posed for its own position in Alegrete. In 1860, Teixeira and several other prominent
political allies had drafted a letter to the provincial president. In it, they openly stated that
they feared that “Canabarro and his electoral agents will exploit their positions as frontier
commanders as a means to coerce the vote of unfortunate soldiers in the National Guard.” 55
Their fears were well founded. Canabarro threw his support behind Geminiano Antonio
54 CV-3467 (March 6, 1865).
55 AHRGS. Câmara de Alegrete: Correspondência Expedida. Letter to Illmo. Exmo.
Senhor Conselheiro Joaquim Antão Fernandes Leão, Digmo Presidente d’esta Provincia (August 25,
1860).
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