The viceroy, the archbishop, the intendant, and the judge: political exile in the independence of Peru

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 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.