The Commercial Discovery of Pacasmayo Harbour: Saña Tobacco Sales to the Kingdom of Chile in the Late Eighteenth Century

Gayoso-Rullier H. · Americania (2022) · DOI: 10.46661/americania.6438

Resumen

After contextualizing the development of tobacco production and trade in the Viceroyalty of Peru, this article relays information from a hitherto unknown document housed in the Archivo General de Indias in Seville. The document in question affords us insight into the circumstances and changes that occurred after the commercial engagement of Pacasmayo Harbour, which boosted Saña tobacco business with the kingdom of Chile in the late eighteenth century. We are introduced to Basque shipowner Juan Miguel de Castañeda and made aware of his merits and services, which place him as the leading protagonist in the Saña tobacco trade to Chile. Castañeda was instrumental in improving the conditions of transport and sales in terms of time and cost.