# To serve and to be rented  
In 1835, when our account begins, the Atlantic slave trade was already forbidden in Brazil. Moreover, liberated Africans could be hired by private persons, who were to provide the knowledge and skills needed, in exchange for services and a salary. ${ }^{4}$ This salary was supposed to be paid to the government and not to the liberated African, and was to go towards creating a fund that would be used to protect liberated Africans after their final emancipation. However, this salary was rarely paid at all, and no such fund ever existed (Mamigonian, 2002).  
In 1835, Colonel Manoel Joze de Oliveira hired Miquelina. She served him until he passed away on 3 July 1838. During the time she worked for the Colonel, Miquelina performed domestic chores as a house servant. After his death, Emerenciana Roza de Oliveira, his widow, became the person responsible for Miquelina. Finally, she entered the employ of Maria Izabel de Oliveira on 24 January 1844. Miquelina spent her entire time of service in the employ of private individuals, who, according to the regulations of 1834 and 1835, were supposed to take care of her, feed and clothe her, and be responsible for her learning Portuguese and necessary skills.