In 1888, Princess Isabel received an extraordinary letter of thanks for the Golden Law (Lei Áurea), a moving request for financial assistance, and a petition from a veteran of the Paraguayan War to be decorated with the Order of Christ.
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Three letters received by Princess Isabel, from "anonymous" authors.
- In Portuguese.
- 2 pages (1st letter) + 3 pages (2nd letter) + 2 pages (3rd letter)
- Approximately 17 cm x 25 cm.
- Brazil, 1888.
- Excellent condition conservation.
- Unique set.
Letter of thanks for the Golden Law
The letter, written on May 15, 1888, by Geraldo Felipe d'Oliveira, is a thank-you and a tribute to Princess Isabel for the abolition of slavery in Brazil. The author celebrates the greatness of the Imperial Princess, recognizing her leadership and the decisions that marked a new era for the country. He highlights the Princess's historical role in the development of just laws and in the Decree of 1870, which culminated in the liberation of slaves in 1888, considered a landmark of justice and progress. With reverence, the author extols the importance of the achievement for the history of Brazil and expresses his admiration and devotion to the Princess and her royal family.
Letter requesting financial assistance
The letter, written in 1888 and addressed to Princess Isabel, is an emotional plea for financial assistance. The author, identified as a loyal subject and admirer of the princess's abolitionist actions, recounts his extremely difficult situation, including rent debts and a lack of resources to support his family, who have lived in humble conditions for decades. He appeals to the Imperial Princess's charity, requesting alms to pay his debts and improve his living conditions. The letter expresses devotion, faith in a better future, and confidence in the princess's benevolence, concluding with the hope of a favorable response.
Letter of application for the Order of Christ
The letter, dated 1888, is addressed to Princess Isabel and combines a gesture of veneration and gratitude with specific requests. The author, Manoel Ephiphanio da Silva, a military officer and engineering professor, expresses his devotion to the princess and requests recognition for services rendered during the Paraguayan War, including a decoration with the Order of Christ, which had not previously been granted to him. He highlights his experience and dedication, both in the war and in military teaching, reinforcing his admiration for the princess and asking for attention to his demands.
Our analysis
The Golden Law, enacted on May 13, 1888, was a fundamental milestone in Brazilian history, as it abolished slavery in the country. This legislative act was the result of long abolitionist struggles and both internal and external pressures. Abolition meant the liberation of approximately 700,000 enslaved people, officially ending more than three centuries of slavery in Brazil, the last country in the Americas to abolish this practice. Despite its brevity and directness, the Golden Law had a profound impact on Brazil's social and economic structure, although the lack of integration policies for the formerly enslaved perpetuated inequalities that are still felt today.
Princess Isabel, regent of Brazil during the absence of her father, Dom Pedro II, was responsible for signing the Golden Law (Lei Áurea). Her relationship with the Brazilian people, especially with the abolitionist movement, was one of great respect and admiration. Although part of the agrarian elite resisted abolition, Princess Isabel was seen by many, especially abolitionists and Afro-Brazilian populations, as a progressive and compassionate figure. Her decision to sanction the law reinforced this bond, while consolidating her image as a leader committed to human rights, earning her the title "The Redeemer." However, the abolition of slavery also contributed to the erosion of the monarchy, culminating in the Proclamation of the Republic the following year.
However, with the abolition of slavery, the Brazilian economy faced immediate challenges. The agrarian elite, which depended on slave labor, became concerned about the shortage of workers for the plantations. To overcome this problem, they began investing in European immigration, mainly of Italians, Portuguese, and Spaniards, to meet the need for labor on coffee farms. Despite this, the transition to wage labor was not simple and generated a series of social tensions and widespread poverty.
These three letters bear stark witness to Brazil in 1888 and the historical weight of Princess Isabel. Personally, the brutality of the poverty expressed in the second letter and the historical importance of the first letter (probably written by a Black person) greatly impacted me, especially this sentence:
Your Imperial Highness anticipated the Decree that culminated, in 1888, in the liberation of blacks in Brazil. This event is engraved in history in letters of gold. Glory to the flourishing of the great Fatherland and to the importance of this history.
