He had exceptional mechanical skills for the time. Antônio da Silva, 30 years old, brown (pardo), took care of the farm’s horses. He was known for his physical strength and knowledge of animal breeding. Pedro Gonçalves, 26 years old, mixed-race, worked in the Big House as an assistant to the butler. He knew how to read and write, keeping the property’s records.
Francisco de Assis, 24 years old, mulatto, responsible for cultivating the vegetable gardens that supplied the Big House, had knowledge of medicinal plants. José Maria, 29 years old, brown, an experienced miner, knew all the tunnels of the property’s mines. He was respected by the other slaves for his wisdom.
Luís Carlos, 27 years old, mixed-race, a skilled carpenter, responsible for the construction and maintenance of the farm structures. The selection was not communicated to the chosen ones immediately. The Colonel first needed to establish the rules of the agreement and prepare Dona Esperança for what was to come.
During the month of March, he built a small house at the back of the property, away from curious eyes. The location would be used for the encounters, ensuring privacy and total control over the situation. Pause for a moment and reflect. We are talking about human beings being treated as reproductive instruments. The slave-owning mentality transformed people into objects, denying them any humanity or right to choice. If you are feeling disturbed by this story, leave your like.
It is exactly this reflection that we need to make about our past. On March 15, 1864, Colonel Augusto summoned the seven selected slaves for a meeting on the porch of the Big House. It was a cold morning typical of the Minas autumn, with mist covering the mountains surrounding the farm. The men stood in a semicircle, waiting for their master’s words.
“You have been chosen for a special task,” the Colonel began, walking slowly in front of the seven. “A task that can bring benefits to all of us, but which requires absolute discretion and obedience.” The silence was total. The slaves kept their eyes down, a typical posture when in the presence of the Master. None of them imagined what was to come.
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