Manuel Quimper - Governmental Career

Governmental Career

Manuel Quimper was appointed in 1802 a Spanish treasury minister to oversee emperial disbursements in Veracruz. In 1805 he was appointed the governor of Huamanga (later renamed Ayacucho) in the southern part of his native Peru, but due to a confusing incident involving the newly appointed Viceroy of Peru, José Fernando Abascal y Sousa, he instead became the governor of the Peruvian region of Puno on Lake Titicaca.

During his term as governor of Puno an independence movement emerged of which Quimper warned Viceroy Abascal in July 1809. Quimper's own carefully guarded collection of papers, maps, manuscripts, and books were destroyed in an uprising of the local people. He was removed as governor at the end of January 1810. His successor, Manuel Antonio Nieto, died within months and Quiimper returned to Puno as governor in June 1810.

Following the 1814 uprisings for independence in Upper Peru, Quimper was again appointed the governor of Huamanga in August 1814. His journey to his new post, however, was interrupted by a rebellion in the Cuzco region of Peru and he was detoured to the city of Arequipa. From there he and 250 men went to the aid of Puno on December 9, 1814. After restoring order they marched to his natal city of Lima. Quimper was still in Lima when the Viceroy was replaced by Joaquin de la Pezuela, who confirmed his appointment as governor of Huamanga and Quimper traveled there to assume the position that he held for three years before returning to Spain in retirement.