“MONSTROUS AND ILLEGAL PROCEEDINGS”: LAW ...

conflict over Fermin’s continued presence in Uruguay loomed. The 1851 Brazilian invasion
provided Fermin’s Brazilian owners with an opportunity to test his carefully constructed
relationships. Manuel Ferreira’s death immediately prior to the Brazilian campaign further
ensured that Fermin would once again be swept up in these factional and international
conflicts. A dispute quickly erupted between two of Manuel Ferreira’s sons, Joaquim and
José Ferreira, over Fermin. José aligned himself with his brother Lucio and his mother,
Bernadina. They claimed that Fermin properly belonged to Bernadina as a slave and should
be returned to Rio Pardo in Brazil. José probably had good reason to do this: he owed
Joaquim and other creditors money. 37 José further faced accusations in the Brazilian courts
that he had defrauded several prominent officials in Alegrete. He had ultimately been
arrested in 1852. 38 By retaining Fermin for his mother, José likely could obtain access to a
valuable asset. This could better his economic prospects and his ability to pay his debts. In
the process, he could perhaps restore his damaged personal reputation.
José acted quickly to secure his alleged property by entering into a contract with
David Canabarro. The contract purported to rent Fermin to the Brazilian general in order to
serve his forces in the 1851 campaign. 39 José’s contract with Canabarro for Fermin’s services
again needs to be understood in light of the factional conflict between Canabarro and the
Ribeiros for control over Alegrete’s comarca. Recall that the Ribeiro faction held sway over
Alegrete’s courts throughout the 1850s. José faced criminal charges there. Moreover, José’s
brother, Joaquim, possessed growing commercial connections to the Ribeiros and their allies
37 D. Agustín Sañudo c. D. José da Asunción Ferreira, cobrando especialmente 751 patacones,
AGN-SJ. Salto. Letrados Civiles, No. 24 (1856).
38 José Pinto de Oliveira c. José d’Assumpção Ferreira, APRGS. Alegrete. Cartório Civil e
Crime. Processos Crimes, Maço 78, No. 2736 (1852).
39 José da Asumpção Pereyra, subdito Brasilero y apoderado general de su madre Dn. Bernadina
Maria Pereyra.
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