Paper short abstract:

Analysing Francisco Inocêncio de Sousa Coutinho’s correspondence during his government (1764–1772), we attend to establish what were his priorities and how did he conceptualized Angola and African territory. So the intent is to define the mechanisms of adaption to the reality of his ideal.

Paper long abstract:

With this study we attend to deepen what were the mechanisms and concepts used by Francisco Inocêncio de Sousa Coutinho to adapt his plan for Angola, to the reality he found there.

Governor between 1764 and 1772 is recognized for being the most connected with Marquês de Pombal's project and more aligned with the Enlightenment ideals. Madeira Santos has establish how did the Enlightenment affected Angola's policy design. In this period there's an attempt to re-enforce the territorial presence in Angola, by increasing Portuguese population and government structures. More than that, there were many measures to increase the control in the commerce and justice activities.

But in fact more than establishing how was this connection or its results, done by Madalena Sousa in her dissertation. We want to analyse and prospect what were the ideas and concepts used by this governor to justify his actions to the local entities and to the central power. Focussing in its political concepts and constructions, we aim to see how the political paradigm reflected in the words of this governor.