Ciencia y economía en el Nuevo Reino de Granada. Las comisiones de Sebastián José López Ruiz, 1778-1803

Abstract

This research intends to establish, analyze and explain the cost of the commissions (1778-1803) imposed by the King Carlos III (1716-1788) under the responsibility of doctor and naturalist Panamanian Sebastián José López Ruiz, (1741-1832). With this purpose in mind, this article tries to contribute to the knowledge of the role of the viceroyal authorities in the science development of the New Kingdom. With this intention, it is taken advantage of the information recently located in the General File of Indian (Seville) and in the General File Nation (Bogotá). This article contributes to the understanding of how and why the Bourbon centralism in scientific policy failed in the Viceroyalty of Nueva Granada.