Ramon Garcia Fernandez raises an interesting point about emancipation of
slaves in Brazil. In the U.S.A. there was a similar concern, which was met
not by burning records but by altering the U.S. Constitution.  Amendment
XIV, Section 4, reads that "... neither the U.S. nor any State shall assume
or pay ... any claim for the loss or emancipation of any slave; but all such
debts, obligations and claims shall be held illegal and void."

Alain's point is well taken.

Mason Gaffney