El virrey, el arzobispo, el intendente y el oidor: El destierro político en la independencia del Perú

Abstract

In 1821, José de San Martín established his government in Peru, “el

Protectorado.” At the same time, he initiated the persecution of the Spaniards

who had occupied key positions within the colonial administration, beginning

with the viceroy and the archbishop. Public servants, overseas traders, and

military men were also forced to emigrate with the purpose of returning to

Spain. During this journey, most of these emigrants made a stop in the port

of Rio de Janeiro in the Empire of Brazil. The present study examines the

temporary exile of four emblematic authorities: the viceroy, the archbishop,

an intendant, and a well-known judge (oidor), analyzing their situation as

political émigrés in the Brazilian port and stressing their particular views

and personal opinions on the process of independence in Peru, gleaned from

their declarations held in archives in Spain and Portugal.