Paper short abstract:

This communication intends to reflect the dimension and performance of the Regal ombudspersons and local powers in the Captaincy of Ceará through the practical and dynamic exercise of power in its extremities, or within the limits of the plots of "good ruling".

Paper long abstract:

The proposal of this communication intends to discuss the power of relationships in administration of Justice through the establishment of the political-administrative body of the Portuguese Empire in the Captaincy of Ceará, in the 18th century. It turns out that in this historical context not only complaints against many administrators have increased, but also intensified the conflicts between all spheres of power showing, this way, that the multiple interests that have been formed that the Crown had to deal with to ensure the exercise of Justice in the Captaincy due to accusations of administrative interference of royal officials. In this context, the political power of jurisdiction played an important role as an instrument of control for Royal power metropolitan officers. Our intention is to understand which devices made the exercise of command possible within the scope of local government, causing, this way, an important reflection on the practice of the Portuguese Colonial administration. It is considered that the problems withconflicts of jurisdiction among local powers sets up another dimension of power, thus revealing cracks and ruptures in the connection between the administrative policy on captaincy and metropolitan institutions. From this issue, great contradictions come up, that need to be considered in relation to the political practices in the Captaincy in the 18th century.