Instituic am da Companhia General para o Estado do Brazil.

<<An exceptionally rare complete copy.>> OCLC locates just two other examples (Libreria de Espagna and University of Minnesota) - both of which are incomplete. In 1649, the Portuguese Government established the General Trade Company of Brazil under the protection of King João IV. Its goal was to engage the most active traders at the time to promote the profitable sea-route offered by the Portuguese Atlantic, particularly in favor of Brazil. The Company would promote trade between Portugal and its colonies by deploying the connections of New Christians (forcibly converted Jews) and their trans-national networks. Its activities saved the Portuguese economy from collapse during the Dutch of Brazil. The Jesuit priest and diplomat Father Antonio Vieira (1608-97), as a member of the Royal Council to the King of Portugal, understood that the preservation of trade with Brazil depended on strong financial capital. He advised that this objective would best be attained by the creation of a trading firm founded with the capital of New Christians. However for these businessmen to feel secure in investing in what was to be the Companhia General para o Estado do Brazil, Vieira insisted they be exempt from confiscation or discrimination, even if they had previously been convicted as Judaizers. The creation of the Company and the breadth of its privileges raised strong criticism - primarily of a religious nature. Christian clergy were concerned that having shareholder stock stemming from New Christian and Jewish capital, would attract God's wrath and punishment. In addition, it was alleged that the tax exemption provided to New Christians infringed the Church's canons, exceeded the royal powers, and was even condemned by the Supreme Pontiff. See Francisco Zamora Rodríguez, “Nervo deste Reyno” La red europea de agentes de la Companhia Geral de Comércio do Brasil: https://www.scielo.br/pdf/topoi/v18n36/2237-101X-topoi-18-36-666.pdf. * And https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Companhia_Geral_do_Com%C3%A9rcio_do_Brasil. * And https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ant%C3%B3nio_Vieira.