Corregimientos and Merchandise Distribution: Indigenous Revolt in Huamachuco and Otuzco, 1756-1758

Abstract

The present research aims to analyze the fiscal and local relations established by corregidores, visitadores and local parish priests with the indigenous population in Huamachuco and Otuzco in 1756-1758. By means of the legal imposition of the goods distribution system of 1756 and the implementation of the revisit in the province of Huamachuco, entrusted to Simón Lavalle y Quadra, the population’s reaction manifested in the revolt of 1758 in this town with later repercussions in Otuzco and Trujillo will be analyzed. Likewise, due to the characteristics of the rebellion, the role of the local ecclesiastical authorities will be examined in relation to the colonial authorities and the indigenous people. For the study we will consider colonial documentation from the Archivo General de la Nación and the Archivo General de Indias, as well as specialized bibliography on the subject that will allow us to outline the hypothesis that the fiscal and local relations of corregidores and visitadores was one of oppression towards the indigenous people who sought the protection of the Church and did not find any response, not even in their chiefs, which unleashed the rebellion and showed the state of reaction of these against the opprobrious colonial system of the mid-eighteenth century.