August 1654
Luis went directly to Mestre Domingo's house
"Hello Maester"
"Ha Luis! How are you today?"
"Excellent, we're going to leave in a few days to get some rubber, Joao told me you want your share?"
"Hehehey indeed, it's very practical for all this stuff, I'm sure that covering a barrel with it would avoid most of the rust effects on it, etc' and it's valid for all tools."
"Ha you are among the few who can afford this kind of use, you know ... "
"Oh yes I know, when you can sell it at 50 cruzados per square meter of 5 mm thick, there is not a single farmer who can afford to use it.... "
"I wanted to ask you: did the army or the crown come to ask you for the recipe?"
"Ha these little manipulations and the addition of sulphur"
"Yes" He looks at him seriously
"No, why ? is there a problem?"
"Yes and no, Joao and Diogo in particular find it strange that the army does not give them new orders"
"Ha that.... In my opinion it's mainly because they earn more from the taxes collected given the quantity than by paying you for the same amount. "
"Taxes?"
"You don't pay your taxes?"
"Of course I do, but I'm not twisting the report there..."
"The last time, you paid me 20,000 cruzados to do the small manipulations on the raw rubber, I didn't declare that much to the taxfarmer, but later he learned that these capes were made with this material so he decided that I owed him 3000 cruzados, me, a poor blacksmith.... Rui got me out of the mess by confirming my statement, and visiting the farmer directly.
"Rui did that?"
"Yes, he didn't tell you about it?"
"er... No, what exactly did he do?"
"I'm not sure but what is certain is that the taxfarmer cancelled my debt directly, but these people are not the type to be concerned about the rich merchants or a new company, so..."
"Speculation: the crown lets us develop quite quietly and covers our rear the time to develop the rubber?"
"Same speculation as me and Rui, surprising he didn't tell you about it"
"We invested 200,000 cruzados in Salvador de Bahia recntly..."
Mestre Domingos let his hammer fell...
" 200 000 ? "
"Oh yes, and in addition 200,000 for the fleet and its armament, by the way that's what I'm here for."
"Do you mean?"
"We have two ships to arm."
"Ha the cannons and ammunition?"
"Yes and a few muskets too."
"Do you have what it takes to take them? there's already enough to arm 5 ships I guess..."
"I came with carts, it should be fine"
"Luis these are 12-pounder guns!!"
"Yes, stuff weighing a few tons, I know, I came prepared. No problem!"
After a few hours of loading and traveling: Luis and his team of dockers arrive to fill the two new boats:
The "Rubber Bridge" and the "Sugar Dream"
These two ships were of the same type as the "Rubber Dream" but more armed, with 20 guns instead of 10, and most of all with potentially better agility performances.
______
Joao recovered his letters of marque knowing that the route to Cape Verde might bring them into Epsgnol galleons or Dutch ships going to India
_______
After equipping all the ships, on August 18, 1654, the fleet of three ships set sail for Cape Verde.
The winds of March are conducive to taking the road to the Azores wwhile that the winds and currents of August make the circulation towards Brazil via Cape Verde rapid.
In Cape Verde, there is everything you need to refuel.
Two weeks of travel and the port of Salvador is already in sight.
____
For the course of the Azores Joao had a rather simple reasoning: this less traveled route becomes less prone to the appearance of pirates and other privateers, and a boat alone without a convoy, and even with it would have had little chance of escaping, which for their brand new boat was unacceptable to him and also to the company committee.
_____
Already a year, and the rubber plantation is full, shevéa is the name of these trees according to the natives, in one year they have transplanted 150,000 rubber trees on the 150 hectares of the sesmaria and are starting to go beyond the limits of the sesmaria to plant sugar cane, and new, and young shevéas
Shevéas according to the botanist, is the name of the species of trees, he tries to differentiate the varieties, not only to find those that give the most raw rubber, but also for his personal pleasure.
Joao reunites the directors, forced to insist - sometimes he wonders if his privateer operation is going to pulverize him with a cannonball, so he tries to teach them everything he knows, even if some already know, the plantation is registered as the property of the company, and his share, in the absence of heirs belongs to them in full – to meet with the steward of the sesmaria.
The intendant gives them a summary, all in all, in one year, he has spent 20,000 cruzados, including tax, the exploitation alone has produced 400 tons of raw rubber, and he has, as requested, begun to buy more from the natives. In all, nearly 800 tons of rubber stored in rubber blocks, dried but not in the sun, and therefore not cracked.
He has already had rehydration tests done before drying them again and the rubber returns to its normal viscosity.
The holds of the boats are filled with clothes, various fabrics, tools of all kinds.
Joao and crew deposit a little more than 10,000 cruzados for running costs with a lot of equipment in total there are still 80 000 cruzados to manage the sesmaria. And leaves it to the steward to sell or store the equipment.
_____
Interview with a ... Jesuit. ( copyright god !! Don't attack me !! )
The Jesuit Father: "João, these contracts that you have drawn up are certainly different, but have you considered the risks they pose? Those who remain in slavery with no hope of freedom may revolt when others gain their freedom after only 20 years. You could sow tension between them."
João Carrasca: "Padre, I understand your concern, but consider the reality: it would not be very .. Christians not to emancipate them. These contracts establish a simple structure with Portuguese and Christianity as common value with sttlers, while waiting for the rest of the divine work to be accomplished. If some people don't consider this as an opportunity to abide by their Christians values, I feel sorry for them. But I refuse to perpetuate, and even to endorse, a system of eternal slavery with no way out."
The Jesuit father: "And yet, João, these contracts could create jealousies and divisions among the slaves, and probably between the masters themselves. Why offer this freedom rather than maintain the order that the current system guarantees?"
João Carrasca: "Because the current order is fragile, padre. A colony does not prosper with a submissive and desperate population; on the contrary, revolts would be almost automatic. These contracts give those who sign them a reason to work, a goal to achieve, a chance to join the community, to create a Brazilian identity over a few centuries. It is to avoid unnecessary conflicts that I have insisted on meeting you as much as you have wanted to meet me, padre."
The Jesuit Father: "But is that enough, João? You could create an intermediate caste that could, in the long run, challenge the authority structure of the colony. You give these men and women the freedom to choose after 20 years, but are you ready to deal with the social consequences of this freedom ? "
João Carrasca: "Padre, most of them will find themselves having to work on my estate, where they will be paid, at worst I will set up shops for them..... There will always be social challenges. But imagine the alternative: continuing to maintain cycles of eternal, hopeless slavery, all of this seems not very Christian to me. It's like a bomb. With these contracts, we can at least introduce a progression. In addition, at the end of the 20 years they have to argue that they know how to speak Portuguese, and have become more or less Christians, which should limit tensions."
The Jesuit Father: "Maybe, João. But remember that all progress must be guided by faith and justice, not just your pragmatism. Take care for your good intentions not to become a source of chaos that you cannot control."
Joao Carrassa: I have two arguments, Padre. The first was the recapture of recife: many slaves were freed on this occasion to contain and expel the Dutch from Brazil. The second is: if I am a disciple of Jesus, and so are you: who is it that makes people carry a cross? And this until they die? It would be to Jesus, wouldn't it? : What do you think of it, padre?
The Jesuit father: "João, your interpretation is audacious, but it borders on irreverence. To compare the cross that our Lord bore to redeem the sins of mankind to the slavery of these men and women? You are suggesting that their servitude is a form of redemption, a cross that they must bear for themselves or for us? This could be seen as a dangerous justification, João, and I warn you against such an analogy."
João Carrasca: "Padre, I'm not trying to disrespect. But if we believe that every man must carry his cross, then why can't these men and women free themselves or be freed from that cross through these contracts? "
------- Joao gave a remarkable moment of breathing, thinking of all his colleagues, 11 survivors, having this conversation and crucifying such a persevering Jesuit, such as this one.... at least if there is unanimity of the votes --------
_____
If Luis had been present: "ha but that's it! I found out why he calls himself a Christian but hate the church... "
______
The Jesuit Father: "João, I understand your intentions, but have you thought about the repercussions of these contracts? They risk setting a dangerous precedent. By offering a path to emancipation, you create a distinction between those who have that opportunity and those who remain in perpetual bondage. Such inequality could sow discord in the region, not only among slaves, but also among the masters themselves."
Joao Carrasca (deciding to put an end to this absurd conversation): That's it, so that, anyway, won't happen for 19 years, we're far from it, there are only 150 slaves who are concerned, and moreover I would need them to learn Portuguese, and Christianity, and for you my sesmaria is very close to an area with a lot of natives, then do I build you the necessary on the sesmaria to achieve your conversion mission or do i have to find another (vampire) ahem padre?
The Jesuist Father: Your ... ( sesmaria ? The Jesuit Father seems a little surprised )Very well mi filio, I will wait from your steward for the news of the construction of the mission and I will send some brothers to preach in and around your sesmaria.
Joao Carrasca: I Heard you , padre, I heard you.
_________
After filling the holds with the 800 tons of rubber, the ships risked to turn overloaded again.
"Joao!"
"Diogo, what's the matter?"
"We've already tested everything we could with these boats, I don't want to be on the African coast to refuel against the wind etc ... so we don't overload them this time... "
"Who wanted sugar again?"
"It doesn't matter, I'm sure he's changed his mind"
"Ha yes it's you..."
"Less sugar, less risk of salt, I prefer, do you agree ? "
"Yes, Yes, we ask the others?"
"I have already asked them, and they are of the same opinion as me"
" hahahahaa ..... ok let's admit "
"I swear to you, there's at least one other who agrees with me!"
"Go for two more months, and we should have our whole fleet ready for war with the Dutch"
"By the way, what's your thing with the Indiamans?"
"Large, poorly armed, at least for the moment, easy to board, large holds, enough to hold on a single ship the equivalent of what we carry with our flotilla, and then I feel irritated by the Dutch, but I don't know why."
"Last time, they took our prey, which I can understand, but what now?"
Joao imitates diogo: "Not two but eleven! Sometimes it's as simple as that."
Diogo remained thoughtful before this imitation, which he found not doing him justice.
Joao continued: "11 survivors out of 500, I know I'm going around in circles a bit with this, but I still have..."
"yes we're all a bit like that...."
"And then this kind of thing in this storm"
"Ha! You too?! "
"yes, but it's only me, you and Luis a fortiori who have..." as if I felt the presence of this thing..."
"I inquired, it would have been some kind of kraken or something"
" .. a Kraken?, and he would have let us go? To distract him maybe...."
"It's not the most funny thing"
"Come on, we're not going to make a mountain out of it, we have resurgences of stress following this thing, and then we're going to do with it like this for now ? In any case, that's how I try to do it."
"yes, I'll try too"
________
2 months later
November 1654.
After arriving at the port of Lisboa, the crews of the three ships are busy transporting the barrels to the company's warehouse.
Go to the net with all the directors and the steward of the company.
"800 tons: that's about 80,000 capes, but they would have to be sold everywhere in Europe at a reduced price, after making the necessary adjustments...
"Intendant: How much is it if we manage to sell such a stock of storm capes?"
The intendant: "At the current market price of 100 cruzados per cape, or 70/80 by selling it to other merchants, considering the price of "processing rubber, the maximum price l could get is 9 million cruzados"
Taken aback, Pietro said: "de reis?"
The intendant nevertheless cofirmed: " 9 million in gross sale, with deduction of costs and taxes considering this sum: 7 million cruzados.
Joao called one of the warehouse employees: "Bring us a table and chairs for everyone, please!"
The employee called one of his colleagues and a few minutes later the small group of 12 sat down at the table
Rui began "excellent idea the chairs and the table"
The Intendant, beginning to understand the magnitude of the sum, suddenly added "yes indeed, I had only considered the figures until now".
Luis opened the rest of the conversation: "there's no chance of selling so many storm capes, so there's no need to feel... Too rich? "
"What do you mean?" asked Diogo
"Well, we're going to have to diversify a little, with products that bring in less, no choice: luxury clothes certainly sell, but it also has a limit of possible buyers.... barely 5000 and already we had to go and sell them in the rest of Europe, basically you have to count 2000 luxurious capes only, the rest in satchels for the army, for the navy boats, but there the crown may not have enough to pay: on the other hand sell 5 square meters to make watertight the barrels, and simple storm capes for the sailors, without luxury etc .. This can be sold quite easily for 10 to 20 cruzados per square metre. "
"But you've already done the accounts!!" says Pietro enthusiastically
"I had two months to think about it, as each of you by the way, at most we can make 5000 luxury capes, with the understanding that it may take 2 years to sell them"
Joao, rethinking as if after a shock: "Steward, how much is that? "
Strangely enough, the intendant took out of the sheets of his waterproof bag, on which were inscribed lines of product names and associated values, he took another sheet of paper and began to make some calculations. Meanwhile, Juan went to get some coffee and sugar with cups for each
Each one sipping his coffee, except the steward, who continued his calculations on his piece of parchment, while smoking a little tobacco.
"So if we put aside the equipment for the capes, at 10 cruzados per square meter, it would be about 1 million 650 thousand cruzados, minus the taxes: 1.5 million cruzados"
"Still, beating Francis Drake's record without storming boats, does that count or not?" said Diogo, relaxing the atmosphere
"It's not going to happen all at once, and then there are the costs of processing the rubber, and its various modelings" said Luis
"Especially since I was thinking of reserving part of it for the navy and the army for gunpowder," added Joao
"A priori in addition to the crown, and therefore the army and the navy look at our activities and carry us, at least as long as we develop the rubber" says Rui.
"Oh yes I didn't talk to mestre Domingos, and he told me about that"
"Indeed," continued Rui, "it seems that it was really the crown guys who solved the problem with the farmer's tax, when I arrived to pay the tax, the guy told me, that it was a mistake on his part."
"A taxfarmer who admits to having made a miscalculation ???"
"Unlikely.."
"Impossible with these vampires, and who can force their hand, most of them work with the lords' nobility, so."
"It's still hypothetical, but I don't know any better than the royal council seem to protects us"
Then the steward intervened: "Yes it was indeed them, I thought you all knew about it, by reason I thought it had something to do with ... cough cough ... a certain quantity of silver very legally imported from Sevilla ..." Towards the end of the sentence the Intendant's voice became almost inaudible
"Seriously.... with that again? It's already been two years ...."
"I'm changing the subject: where are the boats, any news?"
"Oh yes: they will be ready in January"
"The 7 waiting?"
"Yes the 7"
"Well, I'll have to make little capital gain, because I only paid the advance," says Joao
The intendant, aware of this, replied: "in fact I have finished paying for everything, the boats, the cannons, etc., there is only 10,000 cruzados left in working capital."
"At worst, there would have been the 10,000 which are still at the mansion"
"So let's get into waterproof bag and waterproof quality barrels?"
"Yes, we do it like that?"
The vote became unanimous, and all that remained was to treat the rubber and make it molded as wished, and for a few more cruzados some luxury storm capes as well as some basic storm capes for the crews of merchant ships.