Abstract
This article aims to reflect on the complaints filed against royal officials who served in Portuguese America in the 18th century. More than the content of the claims and their veracity, it is important to discuss, mainly using case studies focused on the auriferous captaincies, the ways used to lodge these grievances. In addition to the ordinary control mechanisms, which included residências (residence) and other current actions, it is important to highlight the centrality of petitions, sent to the political center in Lisbon and filed with the Overseas Council.
Keywords:
Complaints; corruption; control of the officials; gold captaincies; 18th century