CAMINOS Y ARRIEROS EN LA HISTORIA DEL ECUADOR. RECUPERACION DEL CAMINO DE RIOBAMBA A CUENCA (1746)

Abstract

In the Municipal Historical Archive of Cuenca, (AHM / C, Doc. (1707-1749), 155/71, pages 335-347), the request of general Luis Andrade y Zárate rests with the Audiencia of Quito, requesting grant him permission to take charge of the composition of the tambos and roads of the route from Cuenca to Riobamba, an integral part of the Quito race. The general protector of natives of the Hearing studied the request, with great solicitude, verifying that it was very timely and convenient for the development of regional trade: in his report to the president of the Hearing he recommended his approval, suggesting that he be given, in addition, the road from Cuenca to Loja, which included the tambos of Nabón, Maribiña and Oña. General Andrade preferred to take charge of the section he requested, from Cuenca to Riobamba. The document is a fundamental piece to understand the evolution of the socioeconomic situation of the region, from the perspective of interregional communication, in which roads and tambos play a fundamental role. We have made a comprehensive reading of the document, leaving a transcribed record of it, for future confrontations.