The foreign merchants in Callao and their connections with the North Pacific Ports, 1819-1829

Abstract

The emergence of neutral exchange hindered
trade between Spain and the Americas. The
situation arose between 1814 and 1821,
especially in the South Pacific due to war. It was
only after 1818 and the Independence of Chile
that many foreign merchants took the opportunity
to enter American-Spanish trade routes. We
analyze trade routes in the North Pacific from the
port of Callao to California passing through
Central American ports (such as Sonsonate,
Realejo, and San Blas, Mexico) in the transitional
period between the Spanish Empire and the era
of independent states (1819-1829). We then
compare this research to existing knowledge

regarding trade in the southern area (Callao-
Valparaíso-Buenos Aires) during the same time.

We examine records of ships, men, and goods that
moved throughout the Pacific. How was trade
impacted by the military circumstances in the
North Pacific? Were the same American
merchants involved in both North and South
American trade? What goods were exchanged?
This study allows us to visualize the mercantile
activity from the port of Callao in the period of transition between the viceregal and republican
eras.