At the start of the 18th Century, Brazil stood at a crucial economic crossroads. Francisco de Mello Palheta ’s “impossible mission” changed Brazil’s fate, leading it to become a coffee empire through his courageous journey. This article utilizes numerous materials from the book “O Café” by Basilio de Magalhães. Thank you to the author.
Brazil’s Historical Context in the 18th Century
In the 18th Century, Brazil was a Portuguese colony, and its economy was primarily reliant on gold mining and sugarcane. However, gold reserves were dwindling, and sugarcane faced stiff competition from other colonies. Brazil needed a new crop to revitalize and boost its economy.
Economic and Social Evolution During the Colonial Period
Under Portuguese rule, Brazil experienced significant economic and social changes. In the late 1600s, many Portuguese people came to Brazil hoping to quickly amass wealth from gold, which led to overpopulation and urban development. Gold wealth caused imbalance, unrest, and harsh slavery conditions in this era.
Read more about history of gold mining in Brazil here.
The Role of Crops in Brazil’s Economy
Besides gold, agricultural products were vital to colonial Brazil’s economy. Sugarcane, tobacco, cotton, and cacao were vital exports. However, reliance on a few crops made Brazil’s economy vulnerable to market fluctuations and natural disasters.
The Oxford Research of Latin American History article of “Slavery and Its Economic Structures in Colonial Brazil” discusses the main exports of colonial Brazil. These exports included sugar, gold, tobacco, cotton, diamonds, indigo, and rice.
Francisco de Melo Palheta and His Special Mission
- Francisco de Melo Palheta (c. 1670 – after 1733) was a Portuguese military officer who introduced coffee to Brazil.
- He was born in Belém, Pará, Brazil, and served in the Portuguese army in the Amazon region.
- Francisco de Melo Palheta’s father was João Rodrigues Palheta, originally from the village of Serpa, Alentejo, Portugal. He came to Brazil and held the position of “captain of infantry.” His mother was Maria da Ressurreição de Bittencourt.
- Military Service: Palheta participated in several expeditions, including one to escort the Jesuit priest Samuel Fritz back to Spanish territory in 1691.
- Madeira Expedition: In 1722-1723, Palheta led an expedition to explore the Madeira River, which was commissioned by the Governor of Maranhão, João da Maia da Gama. After the expedition, Palheta was promoted to “sargento-mór” (sergeant major).
- In 1727, he was sent on a mission to French Guiana by the Governor of Maranhão, João da Maia da Gama, to negotiate a border dispute.
- While in French Guiana, Palheta learned about coffee and its potential for Brazil.
- He managed to obtain coffee seeds and seedlings, allegedly with the help of the Governor’s wife, Madame Claude d’Orvilliers.
- Palheta returned to Brazil with the coffee plants and seeds distributed to farmers in the Pará region.
- His introduction of coffee to Brazil profoundly impacted the country’s economy and culture, making it one of the world’s leading coffee producers.
Portuguese authorities were always worried about French violations of the Treaty of Utrecht 1713 along the Oyapock River. On February 20, 1727, João da Maia da Gama – Maranhão governor – appointed Palheta to lead a critical mission. The mission’s main goal was to protect Portuguese land and monitor French activities in Guiana. Gathering coffee seeds was a secondary objective.
Palheta’s Mission and Why He Was Chosen
Palheta’s mission this time was more of a military operation than a diplomatic one. He departed from Belém and commanded a fleet of five large ships, four smaller boats, and over 200 soldiers. The goal was to check the border between Brazil and French Guiana, find the border marker, and learn about what the French were doing.
Of course, this preparation was necessary, yet the Portuguese did not seek conflict. João da Maia da Gama instructed Palheta to proceed cautiously and avoid confrontation. He ordered Palheta to “avoid hostility with the French” and “not engage in warfare.”
This shows the importance of handling missions carefully, skillfully, and flexibly. Palheta demonstrated these abilities during the famous Madeira River expedition in 1722. Therefore, Palheta was indeed an excellent choice for this mission.
Challenges and Obstacles
Palheta’s journey was fraught with challenges and dangers. It wasn’t just about acquiring coffee beans and navigating political and military tensions between France and Portugal. The task demanded careful execution.
At the time, European empires highly protected coffee plants. French Guiana prohibited the sale of “viable” coffee beans, making Palheta’s task nearly impossible.
Palheta’s Plan to Acquire Coffee Seeds from French Guiana
Palheta carefully crafted a plan to succeed. After achieving his primary military mission, he deemed it wise to visit Cayenne, the capital of French Guiana.
His official reason was to receive the response to the Maranhão governor’s letter and to express gratitude for the assistance. However, he aimed to find a chance to take some coffee seeds.
A Romantic Affair with the French Governor’s Wife
Palheta formed a close relationship in Guiana with the Governor’s wife, Madame Claude d’Orvilliers. Using his charm and diplomatic skills, Palheta won the heart of this influential woman.
How Palheta Acquired Coffee Seeds
Madame Claude d’Orvilliers, an elegant Frenchwoman, learned of Palheta’s interest in the coffee plant. She also knows that Guiana bans the export of coffee seeds. They shared a romantic relationship, and she was eager to express her love.
During a walk in the Governor’s mansion garden, she discreetly hid a handful of coffee berries in a bouquet as gifts. She gave the bouquet to Palheta with a bright smile and a meaningful gaze. They shared a romantic relationship, and she gave him the coffee as a token of affection.
Here is an excerpt from the documentary “Sementes de Ouro Negro” as “Seeds of Black Gold” by Carlos Barreto.
Historical Truth
However, this may just be a decorated story. In 1727, Palheta was 57, Madame Claude d’Orvilliers was 50 and had four children, so a romantic affair was also improbable.
Historical records show that Francisco de Melo Palheta brought back five coffee plants and thousands of seeds from different sources. They are all Coffea arabica .
The document also states that he purchased the coffee in Cayenne but did not disclose the trade source and prices. He may have done this to protect the supplier and himself, as trading with Guiana Francesa was prohibited.
First Steps in Developing the Brazilian Coffee Industry
When Palheta returned to Brazil, he gave the seeds and plants to the City Council of Belém to give to local farmers.
Why Palheta delivered the coffee to Belém rather than Maranhão remains undisclosed. Uncertainly, it was because da Gama advised him to stealth a few seeds from some farm. But Palheta’s actual actions involved substantial personal investment and diplomatic efforts to acquire a large stock of coffee seeds. In a letter to the Portuguese king in 1733, Palheta mentioned financial difficulties from the expeditions of 1722 and 1727.
Palheta kept some seeds for himself and began cultivating them on his land in Vigia, Pará. Brazil’s climate and soil proved favorable for coffee production, which flourished.
Planting and Caring for the First Coffee Crops
Palheta shared seeds and coffee-growing techniques with other farmers. Initially, farmers grew coffee on a small scale, primarily for domestic consumption.
However, the economic potential quickly became evident, and coffee cultivation in Brazil expanded rapidly. Later, coffee spread to regions like Maranhão, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, and Minas Gerais. Then, it becomes a significant national revenue source.
Early Challenges and Solutions
Brazil’s budding coffee industry faced challenges, from pests to outdated farming techniques and limited markets. Yet, Brazilian farmers overcame these hurdles through persistence, creativity, and learning from other nations, propelling the coffee industry forward.
Palheta’s Impact on Brazil
Besides bringing coffee to Brazil in 1727, Palheta explored the Madeira River in a famous expedition mission in 1722. Capistrano de Abreu published his expedition report in 1884. Historians see him as a pioneering figure in the Amazon.
Francisco de Melo Palheta dramatically transformed Brazil’s history by returning with many coffee seeds. From gold and sugar reliance, Brazil ascended as the foremost coffee exporter in the world.
The Explosive Growth of Brazil’s Coffee Industry from the 18th Century to Today
In subsequent centuries, the Brazilian coffee industry boomed. Vast coffee plantations sprang up, attracting labor and investment. Coffee became a pillar of Brazil’s economy, contributing significantly to its prosperity.
Coffee’s Role in Brazil’s Economy and Culture
Today, coffee signifies more than agriculture; it symbolizes Brazilian culture. The imagery of farmers harvesting coffee from rolling hills is integral to Brazil’s rich cultural tapestry.
Palheta’s story shows the power of courage, foresight, and perseverance. His bold actions sowed the seeds of a billion-dollar industry, elevating Brazil to a global coffee powerhouse.
The history of coffee cultivation has dark aspects related to colonialism and slavery. The article offers only a specific perspective, making it difficult to encompass everything. I will explore additional viewpoints that may be more sensitive but incredibly valuable.
