The navigation of the Rio Doce: 1800-1850

Doce River is one of the main rivers of Southeast Brazil. In 1800, the Portuguese crown allowed the navigation along the river, previously forbidden to avoid golden robbery. The territorial control by Portuguese military divisions and the efforts to make the navigation possible is reconstructed here based on documents from military and administrative sources of the government of Minas Gerais, War and Foreign Affairs Ministry, the Military Joint of Conquer and military divisions, among others. The offensive war against the natives applying military force to get control over the local territory was a particular moment of the Portuguese colonization in Brazil. Between 1800 and 1850 the Portuguese has concentrated their official efforts to make possible the navigation along the Doce River. At the same time the conflicts of national interests against the British became more intensive.