This article intent to show the politic trajectory of Pe. José Bento Leite Ferreira de Mello. After acting in various legislatures as deputy, he was chosen senator in 1834 by the Regency. José Bento was, for over 20 years, one of the most important politic representative of the south of Minas. His action was wide. Priest, counselor, journalist, creator of Liberal Party in different villages of the south of Minas, creator of the Protector Society of Independency and National Freedom, deputy and, finally, senator. He became the most expressive politic articulator of the south-miner elite in the Corte, at the same time that he was engaging it in the challenges of the fight for the constitution of the Brazilian National State in the version desired by the moderated liberals.
politics; order; National State