Monarch Pedro II Political party Conservative Religion Roman Catholic | Preceded by José Antônio Saraiva Occupation Politician Party Conservative Party | |
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Succeeded by João Alfredo Correia de Oliveira Died 13 February 1889, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | ||
João Maurício Vanderlei or Wanderley, first and only baron of Cotejipe (Barra, then São Francisco de Chagas da Barra do Rio Grande, October 23, 1815 — Rio de Janeiro, February 13, 1889), was a magistrate and Brazilian politician of the Conservative Party.
Born as the son of João Maurício Vanderlei, a Dutch descendant, and Francisca Antónia do Livramento, of Portuguese ancestry.
He graduated from the University of Olinda in 1837 with a bachelor's degree in Law and was Marine Minister, Farm Minister, External Minister and Justice Minister of Brazil. He was also President of the Senate of Brazil from 1882 to 1885 and Prime Minister of Brazil from 1885 until 1888 and president of the Banco do Brasil.
Wanderley was responsible for the approvement of the Saraiva-Cotejipe Law in 1885, which granted freedom to slaves who were older than 60 years old.
He was dismissed from his post by Princess Isabel during her third regency in 1888. Months later, as a senator, he was the only one to vote against the approval of the Golden Law, which abolished slavery. He is assigned the dialogue with the Princess where he says "Your Highness released a race but lost the throne" to which the Princess promptly replied "A thousand thrones I had, a thousand thrones I would give to liberate the slaves of Brazil"