From Radical to Settled in: forms of otherness between French and Slaves in 19th century Rio de Janeiro

French liberal culture in 19th Century provided identities for foreigners in Brazil. Within this culture, persistent Brazilian slavery was an unavoidable subject. While French travellers emulated a radical otherness in contrast to both slavery and enslaved Africans, French who sought to establish themselves in Brazil ended up adhering to other kinds of otherness and identities. This essay highlights the relational meanings of freedom and the identities in the move which had been emulated in social networks that united travellers, consular officials and slaves in Brazil, mostly in Rio de Janeiro, by analysing travel accounts and manumission letters. It shows how settled foreigners used a vocabulary regarding social distinction and otherness which was different from the one used by travellers in their accounts.