¿Terra Australis - "res nullius"? Colonial hispanic frontier advancement in Patagonia (1778-1784)

Abstract

Territory called Patagonia had been one of the areas of later appropriation in Meridional America by Hispanic Crown. On one hand, geographical representations about the existence of Terra Australis estimulated first visits of the area in XVI th century. On the other hand, connections needs between Atlantic and Pacific Ocean led to explore this region. International conjunture provoked mainly by the end of the Seven Years War (1763-1765) estimulated its appropriation. Paris Treaty showed that popes principies as the only juridical criterion, where hispanic pretensions lay, had lost their legitimacy. Knowledge and occupation were criterions defended by English and French Crown. English and French arguments were usefull for considering Patagonian territories as res nullis, that is to say, territories without owners. However, res nullius criterion lost its meaning when it is considered that different indians groups inhabited these areas. These nationalities appeared in colonial projects as subjects to be coopted in order to reassure colonial domination over pretended geographical areas. Floridablanca instruction of 1778 considered organization of punctuated establishments in Patagonian coast, to be colonized by peninsular population. These establishments will not only be in contact with the one in Malvinas but will be linked among them and with Buenos Aires village. Physical and climatic characteristics of the area associated with high costs of maintenance and problems of turning them selfsufficient will put into question the permanence of these establishments in a situation where Spanish crown was going through financial difficulties.