Crime and punishment.

This paper analyzes the issue of slavery within the State Council, particularly with regard to criminal cases involving slaves throughout the Second Empire. In this research, we analyze the treatment given by members of State Council to slave question, especially the punishment of slaves convicted of murder. An important resource in the development of this work was the use of primary sources, especially the analysis of State Council Acts. The members of the collegiate defended a certain caution in the treatment of slavery, because they feared that the increasing of the public debate could cause public disorder and the reprobation of slave owners. The legalistic discourse had a unique * Doutor e Mestre em Ciência Política pela Universidade Federal Fluminense (UFF). Possui o Bacharelado e a Licenciatura em Ciências Sociais pela Universidade Federal Fluminense (UFF). Revista Brasileira de História & Ciências Sociais – RBHCS Vol. 11 No 21, Janeiro Junho de 2019 90 importance as an instrument of order control and maintenance of status quo. The discussions in State Council were based on the pragmatic aspect of the law, with the strict observance of legal grounds, in order to avoid radical positions on the subject.