Iberian geopolitics and the measure of the world: the role of Spain in Geodesic Mission of Quito (1735 e 1746)

Abstract

This is a research work on the participation of Spain in the mission Geodesy organized by the L'Académie Royal de Science de Paris in 1735 to measure the distance from an arc of meridian and determine the consequent shape of the Earth. The This scientific mission took place from Quito, the former vice royalty of the Peru. In the Iberian sphere the scientific knowledge, especially the geographical one, was beyond science and assimilated to the disputes for territorial sovereignty between the two Crowns. Desiring to legitimize its territorial possessions in America by science, Portugal sent in 1729 to Brazil a mission of Mathematical Fathers to carry out measurements of longitude and draw maps, which may have stimulated France, which was placed in the arbitrator of the Iberian territorial conflicts, to organize the geodesic mission of Quito and even the type of performance of the sailors of Spain, Jorge Juan and Antonio de Ulloa, in the measurement works. It matters to us here to think of the relation of Viceroy José Antonio Mendoza with the Spanish scientists and with the whole mission itself, analyzing disputes and support provided by the vice-reign government to the expedition, as well as as alleged government frictions with the members of the mission, especially with the Spanish scientists. (AU)