Brazil at the Dawn of the Eighteenth Century

Chapter III: How the Planter Should Deal with Tenants and His Other Neighbors and They with Him

22 chapter iii y How the Planter Should Deal with Tenants and His Other Neighbors and They with Him Often, when rich and powerful men come to possess considerable wealth, it also brings feelings of contempt for more noble people. For this reason, God often deprives them of their wealth so that they should not avail themselves of it to increase their pride. Whoever comes to secure the title of planter is apt to try and treat all his subordinates as slaves. This is chiefly seen in some planters who have tenants on the lands belonging to the mill, or tenants who are obliged to have their cane pressed there, treating them with haughtiness and arrogance. It follows that such planters are generally disliked and criticized by those who cannot endure them, and that many of these latter rejoice at the losses and disasters that unexpectedly overtake the former. These downtrodden wretches are continually imploring God for justice, seeing themselves so oppressed and desiring their oppressors be brought low so that they should learn not to mistreat the humble. This is the same as when the physician tries to draw out the malignant and surplus evil humors which make the body indisposed and sick, so as to give it in this way not only life but likewise perfect health.10 The planter should therefore have nothing of pride, arrogance, and haughtiness about him. On the contrary, he should be good-natured toward all, and look on his tenants as true friends. This is what they really are when they make every effort to keep their cane fields weeded and well planted for the great profit of the mill. He should give them all the help he can in their difficulties, both with his authority and with his estate. Nor should he be less careful to be very just and upright when the time comes to press the cane in the mill and to make and pack the sugars. For it would not be right for him to take for himself the days for milling which he should give to the tenants in their turn. He should also not give more days to one tenant than to another, or mix the sugar 23 How the Planter Should Deal with Tenants that is being made for one tenant with that from one tarefa of another. Nor should he choose the best sugar for himself and give the tenant the inferior. In order to avoid these failings or any other suspect practices, he should inform or communicate in good time with whoever’s turn is next, so that he can cut and transport the cane and have it in the mill on the appointed day. This will allow him to have his mark on the molds, so that they can be distinguished from the others. Nor should he object if the tenants want to see their sugar in the cooling shed, in the refinery, in the gallery, or in the packing place. It has cost them so much to get it in this state, and so much bitterness has preceded this modest sweetness. Likewise, it will show that he is ill disposed if he makes himself unpleasant to those who have their sugar pressed in other mills merely because the cane is free of any obligation and they choose not have it pressed in his own mill. Nor should he be on bad terms with other planters merely because any of them press as much cane as another, or because things go better for one or another of them, with less expense and without losses. If the envy between the first brothers in the world came to such a pitch that it reddened the hands of Cain with the blood of Abel, because Abel had received the blessing of Heaven and Cain had not, through the latter’s own fault, who can doubt but that similar tragedies may be reenacted among relatives even today? For are there not many regions in Brazil where the sugar planters are closely related to each other by blood and little united in charity? Self-interest is the sole origin of their discord, and perchance it suffices to cut down a tree or that a stray ox enters a cane field for the hidden hatred to flare up and to institute deadly lawsuits and feuds. The sole way, therefore, of a planter avoiding serious vexations, is to behave with all urbanity and distinction, politely asking for anything that...