This article analyzes the presence and the dynamics of indigenous labor in the former Captaincy of Porto Seguro, between the years 1763 and 1808. It presents the design of reformist colonization prepared for that region, highlighting the role of the Indians as the fundamental labor force that leverage the colonial enterprises. Through a dialogue with various correspondences between royal authorities with reports of travelers and chroniclers, and other administrative documents, it demonstrates how the current economic boom, experienced in southern Bahia in the late colonial period was structured in a force field, which put in conflict the indigenous policies and indigenous policies.
Porto Seguro; Indian policy; Indigenous policies; reformist colonization
