The purposes of this lengthy work are, first, to show that Ecuador contributed decisively to Peru's independence, and second, to demonstrate that Peru responded with ingratitude. It succeeds in both instances. Luna Tobar’s rather polemical study is presented in two volumes of historical text and one volume of documents, most of the latter reprinted from published collections. The author emphasizes that Peruvian creoles were too materialistic and apathetic to win their own independence. Consequently, it was necessary for bolder foreigners from Argentina, Chile, and Gran Colombia, especially from Ecuador, to do the task for the indolent Peruvians.
The first three chapters deal with the emergence of revolutionary leaders in Quito and their influence on Peru between 1765 and 1820. Heavy emphasis is placed on the importance of Francisco Eugenio de Santa Cruz y Espejo and Fray Mariano Aspiazo for spreading the sparks of revolution into the viceroyalty to the south. The author calls attention to Espejo’s early dedication to breaking with Spain, before the more famous precursors, but he relies heavily on inferences and speculation to prove Espejo’s influence on Peru. He makes a more convincing case for the role of the colorful Aspiazu, who fled south after the abortive Quito revolt of 1809 and wandered about furtively posting his satirical décimas lampooning Spanish authorities. But the author’s allegation of Aspiazu’s “preponderant role” (I, 79) in the Huánuco uprising of 1812 is not completely convincing.
The activities of other lesser Ecuadorians in Peru before 1820 are also described, but the bulk of the study concentrates on Ecuadorian contributions to the military struggle for independence after General San Martín’s landing at Pisco in 1820. Much attention is given to General José de la Mar, a native of Cuenca and commander of the loyalist Numancia Battalion, for his rather tardy defection to the patriots with most of his troops. There is no doubt about the important role of La Mar, the highest-ranking Ecuadorian officer to fight in Peru.
Ecuador’s major contribution to Peru’s independence, according to the author, consisted of sending about nine thousand troops (approximately one-half of the Gran Colombians who served in Peru) and almost two million pesos worth of material aid. Most of the troops were common soldiers; only a handful of officers served. Most of the material aid apparently came from the port of Guayaquil, which provided ships and ship repairs, armaments, food, textiles, and other commodities in substantial quantities. Peru revealed its lack of gratitude for aid received by haggling for three decades over the debt and by finally paying less than half of the amount claimed by Ecuador.
The final chapter jumps from 1825 to 1864 to focus on Ecuador’s aid to Peru in its conflict with Spain over the Chincha Islands. This strange chronological leap can only be explained by the author’s purpose of exposing Peru’s ingratitude, for the final pages reveal that the Lima government failed to reimburse an Ecuadorian for his personal expenses in erecting a monument to the participants in the battle of Callao.
Luna Tobar has combed most of the printed sources and some of the archives in search of historical ammunition to support his thesis. He has come up with detailed data on material and human aid rendered by Ecuador to Peru, but his historical interpretation tends toward antiquarianism and is marred by a nationalist bias.
