Viajes al Río de la Plata y a Potosí (1657-1660)

Context and Background:
Limited biographical information exists regarding the author of this remarkable manuscript, which many scholars regard as having significantly influenced British interest in the Spanish colonies of South America. The author, who identifies himself as Accarette –or Accarette du Biscay– appears to have been a French-Basque adventurer.

Between 1657 and 1660, he undertook two clandestine voyages to South America under a false Spanish identity. His primary motivation was profit through smuggling, yet he authored a detailed report addressed directly to King Louis XIV of France.

Significance:
Accarette’s account, part espionage dossier and part adventure narrative, offers invaluable insights into daily life, customs, and interactions within colonial South America. His descriptions encompass Buenos Aires, Córdoba, Salta, Jujuy, and the Potosí mines.

The New Edition:
This edition, translated into Spanish with meticulous care by Professor Jean-Paul Duviols of the Sorbonne, surpasses previous versions by delivering an exceptionally faithful rendition of the original French manuscript. Enhanced by scholarly annotations, it contextualizes the text within its historical and geopolitical milieu.