by master mason João do Cano, for 68$500 réis, a price that he reduced three times; the cost of the project diminished so greatly, that by the end of the commission, the mason petitioned the administrative council to raise his stipend, in order to cover his personal costs. The brotherhood, owing to their satisfaction, obliged the artisan, since they felt the project was well conceived and executed, but subtracted a promised eight alqueires of corn (which was also promised at the time). The ombudsman of the Confraria das Almas, solicited the participation of the brothers of the Misericórdia in order to realize a remodelling of their altar, since there was exposed wood and damage, and since they alone did not have the capacity to pay the costs of such a project on their own. The group already had a guarantee from the Confraria de São Pedro for this project, but request 30$000 réis for gold-leafing and work on the retable (the Misericórdia offered 20$000). The residents of the town petitioned the Misericórdia administration to install an image of the Cristo Crucificado (Crucified Christ) in the chancelin 1750. The brothers consented as long as the completed work remained with the Misericórdia. The parishioners were authorized to realize religious ceremonies at the altar, including festivals, as long as they did not coincide with those of the Misericórdia. It was father Manuel de Sousa, in the name of the parishioners, that solicited this authorization, guaranteeing all costs would be paid by the devotees, which was accepted by the council, as long as they "did not affect the benefits of the Santa Casa" and that the altar was built below the arch. Conflict between the municipal government followed. In September 1752, the confreres derided the council while demanding that they show them their books. This was done because there existed an accord to split the funds paid by vendors who used the churchyard, and there existed some skepticism on the part of the brotherhood as to their rights and remuneration. The brothers counselled reform of the accord between the partners, but petitioned the king to "give each man his right". The following year the vendors, who occupied the spaces of the brotherhood, used the church tower to tie down their tents and used the church pews for their own use, which created tensions. These vendors eventually armed their tents some distance from the church, and solicited the brotherhood for space in front of the Misericórdia Velha in order to establish their tents. The confreres consented to the rental, but determined that no part of the churchyard would be occupied again. In 1764, the confreres petitioned royal authority to build a tomb, which was a typical of the period, since the space had no place to bury their dead. The tomb was located the eastern corner of the church and Misericórdia Velha. While, by 1765, it was able to take in 324$861 réis in receipts, while expending 302$000 réis (a meager profit), by 1804 the situation had turned grave. The brotherhood of the Misericórdia sent a letter to the Crown, informing it of "grave financial situation" that existed in the Santa Casa, referring to corruption of the previous board. In their communique, the former brotherhood of not paying the expenses; of taking monies belonging to the Santa Casa; of embezzling moneys destined to it from a benefactor (José de Araújo Pereira, who had died in Rio de Janeiro in 1787, leaving behind 4000 cruzados); and of pocketing accumulated interest from these receipts. Upon receiving these charges, the Prince Regent ordered an inspection of the state