An important point in Brazilian history is the debate on the late colonial. The idea suggested by Dauril Alden is that the colony would witness a profound economic crisis after the decrease of gold extracting. In this scenario, the colonial economy witnessed a return to rural activities (agriculture). With data collected from 1790, João Fragoso opposes the idea of late colonial suggesting the formation of a broad distribution network, showing not a crisis, but the formation of a broad domestic market. Moreover, Fragoso shows that business is linked to rural losing importance since 1790. But what would the results for the period 1750-90, just when the decrease of gold extraction intensifies, be? In order to reap further benefits for the late colonial debate. Up to 6500 deed deposited in the National Archives have been worked up, including and other primary sources that the term involving the economy of Rio de Janeiro. The results point to a reinvigoration of the rural sector and a stagnation of economic activity in Rio de Janeiro in the same period and no crisis.
Rio de Janeiro; late colonial; deeds; internal market; economic crisis
