Of all the phenomena attending the abolition of slavery in Brazil at the close of the 19th century, one of the most commented on - and least examined - has been the so-called "Black Guard."

The episode survives in the mind's eye as the story of a group of former slaves who - grateful for the imperial decree signed by Princess Isabel as acting regent, that ended slavery in brazil - squared off against the enemies of the throne, whom they accused of plotting to overthrow the monarchy in reaction to the Golden Law freeing the slaves.

Source: Texts from Brazil n.14, produced by the Ministry of External Relations of Brazil.