Governorate of Chiloé facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Governorate of Chiloe Gobernación de Chiloé
1600–1784 1789–1826
Flag
Status	Governorate of the Viceroyalty of Peru
Capital	Castro (1567-1768) San Carlos de Chiloé (1768-1826)
Common languages	Spanish, Mapudungun
Religion	Roman Catholicism
Government	Monarchy
Monarch
• 1567–1621	Philip III
• 1813–1826	Ferdinand VII
Governor
• 1600	Tomás de Olavarría
• 1820–1826	Antonio de Quintanilla
Historical era	Spanish Empire
• Established	1567
• Treaty of Tantauco	1826
Currency	Peso Real de alerce
Preceded by Succeeded by Viceroyalty of Peru Conservative Republic

The Governorate of Chiloé was a special area ruled by the Spanish Empire. It existed from 1567 to 1826. For a short time, from 1784 to 1789, its government changed.

Chiloé was first part of the Captaincy General of Chile. Later, it became directly linked to the Viceroyalty of Peru. This change happened around the same time the capital moved. The capital moved from Castro to Ancud in 1768. The last Spanish governor of Chiloé reported directly to the king in Madrid.

Where Was Chiloé Located?

The Governorate of Chiloé officially reached the Bueno River in mainland Chile. This river marked its border with the lands of Valdivia.

However, the area actually controlled was smaller. It included the Chiloé Archipelago. This is a group of islands. It also had forts and settlements north of the Chacao Channel. The Mission of Nahuel Huapi was also part of it. This mission was a religious outpost. Some historians disagree on whether Nahuel Huapi was truly part of Chiloé.

Local People and Borders

Local people called juncos of Osorno lived south of the Bueno River. They were a group of Huilliche people. In the late 1700s, they wanted their lands to be part of Valdivia. They did not want to be part of Chiloé. This was because they had a difficult history with the settlements near the Chacao Channel.

Who Were the Royal Governors?

The Royal Governors were the leaders of Chiloé. In the 1600s, the Royal Governor of Chile chose them. In the 1700s, the King of Spain also had to approve the choice.

Later, the Viceroy of Peru started choosing the governors. But the King of Spain still had to agree. At first, governors were chosen based on their skills. But in the early 1700s, people could sometimes buy the job. This practice stopped in 1750. Being a governor in Chiloé often helped people get more important jobs later.

Early Leaders of Chiloé

The role of Royal Governor began in the early 1600s. Before that, other officials called corregidores ruled. These included Alonso Benítez and Alonso de Góngora Marmolejo.

One early leader, Antonio Mejía, died in a shipwreck in 1603. He was on his way to Chiloé.

List of Governors

Here are some of the people who served as governors:

• Andrés Herrera (?–1643)
• Fernando de Alvarado (1643–?)
• Ignacio Carrera Iturgoyen (around 1650)
• Antonio Manríquez de Lara (1680s)
• Bartolomé Gallardo
• José Marín de Velasco (1708–1712, 1715–1719)
• Blas de Vera Ponce y León
• Nicolás Salvo (1719–1723)
• Juan Dávila de Herzelles (1724–1728)
• Fracisco José Sotomayor
• Bartolomé Carrillo
• Alonso Sánchez del Pozo
• Francisco Gutiérrez de Espejo (1740–1741)
• Victoriano Martínez de Tineo (1743–1748)
• Antonio Narciso de Santa María (1749–1761)
• Juan Antonio Garretón (1761–1765)
• Manuel Fernández de Castelblanco (1765–1768)
• Carlos de Beranger Dusonet (1768–?)
• Antonio Martínez y La Espada

The local leaders, called the cabildo, often argued with Governor Martínez y La Espada. They sent complaints to the authorities in Lima.

Between 1784 and 1789, the governor's job was changed. It was replaced by an intendant. Francisco Hurtado del Pino was the only intendant during this time.

• Francisco Garos (1788–1789)
• Pedro Cañaveral y Ponce (1789–1790 or 1791)
• Juan Antonio Montes de la Puente (1797–?)
• Ignacio María Justiz y Urrutia
• Antonio de Quintanilla (1820–1826)

See also

In Spanish: Gobierno de Chiloé para niños