The Act of Independence of Peru is the document through which Peru solemnly declared its independence from the Spanish Crown. Drafted by Manuel Pérez de Tudela from Arica, it was signed on July 15, 1821 by notable residents of Lima. After that, the ceremony of the Proclamation of Independence was held on July 28 of the same year, in the Plaza Mayor of Lima and in two other squares in the capital. The declaration and proclamation of the Independence of Peru constitutes one of the most transcendental events in the history of America, since the liberation of Peru was very important for the security of the surrounding nations, since the core of Spanish power in South America was located there. That is why the United Liberation Army of Peru, under the command of General José de San Martín, arrived in Peru from Chile. Already in Peruvian territory they received the support of the population, especially in the north, where an immense jurisdiction, the Intendancy of Trujillo, joined the independence cause without violence, under the command of the Marquis of Torre Tagle. After Trujillo, Piura, Cajamarca, Chachapoyas, Jaén and Maynas successively swore independence; Lambayeque had already done it before. San Martín himself later recognized that if it had not been for the massive support from northern Peru, he would have found it necessary to return to Chile to reorganize his forces, since they were inferior to the viceregal forces. The Declaration was signed by the majority of members of the Cabildo (first-vote mayor, 10 aldermen and 2 trustees), the secular clergy of Lima and prominent members of society. In total, 339 prominent men of the city signed this act.


SIGNATORS: Signing of the Act of Independence of Peru. Hipólito Unanue, José de la Riva Agüero and Toribio Rodríguez de Mendoza are represented in this recreation. The signers of the first page of the Declaration were:

• Isidro de Cortázar y Abarca, 5th Count of San Isidro (Mayor of Lima).
• Bartolomé María de las Heras, Archbishop of Lima.
• Francisco de Zárate and Manrique de Lara (councilman).
• Simón Díaz de Rávago and Gutiérrez-Morante.
• Francisco Valles (alderman).
• Pedro de la Puente and Querejazu (alderman).
• Francisco Xavier de Echagüe.
• Manuel de Arias.
• José Matías Vázquez de Acuña, 7th Count of Vega del Ren (alderman).
• Fray Geronimo Cavero.
• Jose Ignacio Palacios
• Antonio Padilla y Riveros (trustee general attorney).
• José Mariano de Aguirre y Mayora.
• José Juan Vásquez de Velasco y Ontañón-Valverde, 4th Count of Las Lagunas.
• Francisco Concha.
• Toribio Rodríguez de Mendoza.
• Francisco Xavier de Luna Pizarro.
• Jose de la Riva Aguero.
• Andrés Salazar.
• Francisco Salazar.
• Jose de Arriz.
• Manuel de la Puente y Querejazu, VI Marquis of Villafuerte.
• Second Antonio de Carrion.
• Juan de Echeverría y Ulloa (councilman).
• Juan Manuel Manzano.
• José María Sancho-Dávila y Salazar, 2nd Marquis of Casa Dávila.
• Nicolás de Aranibar Fernández Cornejo.
• Tomás de Méndez and La Chica
• Francisco Valdivieso and Prada.
• Fray Anselmo Texero
• Manuel Cogoy
• Peter of the Rivers
• Manuel Urquijo
• Pedro Manuel Bazo
• Francisco Jose Colmenares
• Jorge Benavente
• Manuel Agustin de la Torre
• Juan Esteban Henríquez de Saldaña
• Tomás de Vallejo
• Jose Zagal
• Fray Tomas Silva
• Antonio Camino Vergara
• Cecilio Tagle
• Miguel Tenorio
• Manuel de la Fuente Chavez
• Fray Juan de Dios Salas
• Manuel María del Valle y García (alderman)
• Vicente Benito de la Riva
• Tomás Ortiz de Ceballos
• Fray Pedro de Pasos
• Manuel Sáenz de Texada (alderman)
• Justo Figuerola de Estrada
• Miguel Tafur
• José Mariano de Sánchez Boquete and Román de Aulestia, III Marquis of Montealegre de Aulestia.
• Juan Panizo and Foronda.
• Tomás Panizo and Talamantes.
• Manuel Ignacio Garcia.
• Martín José Pérez de Cortiguera.
• Diego Noriega.
• Later they signed the Minutes:
• Hipolito Unanue
• Jose Cavero and Salazar.
• José de Larrea and Loredo.
• José de Morales y Ugalde.
• Manuel Bartolomé Ferreyros.
• Manuel Salazar y Baquíjano, IV Count of Vista Florida.
• Mariano José de Arce.
• Manuel Alvarado (alderman)
• Francisco de Paula Mendoza Ríos y Caballero (alderman)
• José Manuel Malo de Molina and Gutiérrez Quintanilla (alderman)
• Juan José de Aliaga y Santa Cruz, 5th Count of San Juan de Lurigancho.
• Diego de Aliaga and Santa Cruz
• Tiburcio José de la Hermoza
• Lorenzo de la Puente, Marquis of Corpa (alderman).

Independence Act July 15, 1821 “In the city of Los Reyes, on July fifteenth, one thousand eight hundred and twenty-one. Gathered in this Hon. City Council the gentlemen that compose it, with the Hon. and Ilmo. Lord Archbishop of this holy Metropolitan Church, prelates of the religious convents, titles of Castile and several residents of this Capital, in order to comply with what was prevented in the office of the Hon. Mr. General in Chief of the Liberating Army of Peru, Mr. José de San Martín, yesterday, the tenor of which has been read, I have reduced its content to the fact that people of known probity, enlightenment and patriotism who live in this Capital, express if the general opinion is decided by Independence, whose vote served as a north for the aforementioned Mr. General to proceed with the oath of it. All the concurrent gentlemen, by themselves and satisfied, of the opinion of the inhabitants of the Capital, said:That the general will is decided by the Independence of Peru from the Spanish domination and from any other foreign one and that in order to proceed to the sanction by means of the corresponding oath, is answered with a certified copy of this act to the same Hon. and signed by Messrs.:The Count of San Isidro- Bartolomé, Archbishop of Lima, Francisco Javier de Zárate- The Count of Vega de Ren- The Count of Las Lagunas-Toribio Rodríguez-Javier de Luna Pizarro-José de la Riva Aguero -The Marquez de Villa Fuerte…”
Data:History of Peru, Congress of the Republic, Wikipedia | Photo:eldiariodelamarina.com