“MONSTROUS AND ILLEGAL PROCEEDINGS”: LAW ...

portion of Rio Grande do Sul, originally owned him. In either 1836 or 1837, he traveled
with his master from Brazil to the Estado Oriental, where he served as Moreira’s ranch
foreman [capataz]. 31
Factional violence quickly transformed Fermin’s and his master’s relationship. In
1837 forces loyal to Rivera sacked Moreira’s property and forced Fermin into military
service. Fermin served in the colorado army for about a year. He then deserted and sought
refuge with his former master. By this point, Moreira had himself sought the protection of
Manuel Ferreira. Moreira took up residence on Manuel Ferreira’s ranch near Mataojos in the
vast open countryside between Salto and the Brazilian border. 32 As the Guerra Grande
intensified in the late-1830s, Fermin took full advantage of his master’s weakness. Facing
declining economic prospects and likely fearing for his safety, Moreira fled the Estado
Oriental. According to Fermin’s testimony, Moreira “wanted to bring him to Brazil.”
Fermin refused. He declared his intention to remain in Manuel Ferreira’s service in the
Estado Oriental. 33 Facing little choice in the matter, Moreira crossed the border without his
slave. He subsequently sold Fermin to Manuel Ferreira in an attempt to recoup some of his
losses. In effectively forcing his sale, Fermin proved adept at locating and then exploiting
the divisions between two Brazilian slave owners in order to remain in Uruguay as a “free”
laborer. 34 Fermin had also effectively gained access to his new patron’s connections to the
colorado faction. These factional connections served as a platform from which Fermin could
31 Ibid. The police investigation records for this case were not numbered.
32 Ibid.
33 Fermin’s strategy of effectively seeking a new master was relatively common. Petiz,
Buscando a Liberdade.
34 Fermin’s freedom remained relative because he continued to be bound to Manuel
Ferreira through a labor contract. However, Fermin and Manuel Ferreira now negotiated his
service in a context in which Fermin was legally free, potentially offering the former slave a
substantial chip to bargain for better conditions. Fermin had to stay in Uruguay to retain
this power.
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