Collecção dos Breves Pontificios e Leys Regias, que forao expedidos, e publicadas desde o anno de 1741, sobre a liberdade das pessoas, bens e commercio dos Indios do Brasil [.].

Folio (213 x 305 mm). (2), 4, (4), 12, 4, (2), 34, 8, 7, (1 blank), 8, 6, 7, (1 blank), 12, (16), 27, (25), 32, 48, 6, 6 pp. With contemporary manuscript notes. Contemporary full calf, raised spine bands, floral gilt on spine, marbled endpapers. A publication of twenty-one Portuguese documents, plus one handwritten addition, detailing the first stages of the expulsion of The Society of Jesus, commonly known as the Jesuits. - Published by the special order of King José I of Portugal, this book was intended to explain and defend the expulsion, citing the Jesuits' control over the affairs of the indigenous population of Brazil (the "Indios do Brasil") and their alleged involvement in the "horroroso insulto de 3 de Setembro do anno de 1758". This September Insult is a reference to the Távora Affair, the attempted assassination of King José I, which resulted in the execution of the entire Távora family, including José's mistress Teresa Leonor, wife of the heir of the Távoras. Teresa Leonor's personal confessor was Gabriel Malagrida, a Jesuit missionary who had spent time in Brazil; Malagrida's tenuous involvement (indeed, the Távora as a whole are often considered scapegoats) was utilized in anti-Jesuit rhetoric. - This copy is of particular interest, as a manuscript addition in an elegant contemporary hand has been added to the verso of the title-page for document XII, the sentencing of the Távoras, and presents a copy of the speech made by the Judge of the People to the king: "O Juiz do Povo tem a honra de pedir a N.Ex.a ponha na Real prezença de S. Mag. que oseu justifismo Edital foi lido pelo fiel Povo de Lisboa com muitas lágrimas, que todo elle pede justiça contra humatentado de que não há exemplo nage delidade Portuguese, e que para avingar espera com impaciência as Reas ordens de S. Mag; pois todo elle dezeja anciozamente derramar até a última gota de sangue, pela glória e serviço do Mesmo". Recorded just below is the reply of the King: "Reposta de S. Mag.e. Cu não esperava menos de fidelidade dos meus fiéis Vassalos a quem heide corresponder como bom Rey e Pay". - Each section with separate pagination and occasionally individual title-pages, bound together as issued. Gentle wear and dampstaining to rear leaves, wanting rear endpapers, otherwise bright and clean. - Borba de Moraes I, 165.