The Investigation Records of the Administração do Concelho of Ponta do Sol, Madeira Island (1837-1861): For a Study on Crime Manifestations in a Social Microcosm

Abstract

This study aims to present the results of a research that, focusing on the Investigation Records of the Administração do Concelho of Ponta do Sol (1837-1861), pursues to identify manifestations of crime and transgression that occurred in this social microcosm and to understand the variety of the people involved, as well as the nature of their actions.

Its objectives are defined in a set of questions listed as follows: 1) What crimes and offences occurred; 2) Their typology and predominance; 3) From a socio-professional point of view, who were the complainants and the accused; 4) Which social categories were predominant and why.

The analysis of the ten notebooks in which the investigation reports were recorded, by order of the administrador, totalling 460 reports during the present chronology, constitutes the main source of this study. Other documentation was also considered, namely letters, official correspondence and reports from the Civil Government of Funchal and administrative legislation, which was essential to understand the duties of the administrador and his role in policing, according to the political and administrative organisation defined by the Portuguese Government.

This study is divided into three parts. The first part examines the role of the administrador and his powers of policing and control over the population under his jurisdiction. The second part consists of a brief socio-economic characterisation of the municipality of Ponta do Sol, providing geographical, demographic and socio-economic evidence based on statistical and reporting data from the 19^th century. The analysis on the Investigation Reports of the Administração do Concelho of Ponta do Sol, carried out between 1837 and 1861, is addressed in the third part of this study, where the questions raised will be answered. Finally, the concluding remarks present the conclusions that can be drawn.

Keywords: Crime; Ponta do Sol; Administração do Concelho; Police; 19^th century.