Balboa, Miguel Cavello

Balboa, Miguel Cavello, a Spanish missionary, lived in the 16th century. He at first served in the wars of France, then embraced the ecclesiastical profession and went to America in 1566. He established himself at Santa Fe de Bogota, where one named Juan de Orozco acquainted him with numerous documents relating to American antiquities; this was without doubt the commencement of his work of research. Having come to Quito in 1576, he occupied himself with the historical antiquities of Peru, and was encouraged in this work by Don Pedro de Pena, bishop of the ancient capital. In 1586 his book, which he had entitled Miscellanea Austral, was finished and dedicated to Dom Fernando Torres of Portugal, count of Villar, viceroy of Peru. This was published under the title of Histoire de Perou (Paris, 1840). It formed part of the valuable collection published by M. H. Ternaux-Compans. See Hoefer, Nouv. Biog. Generale, s.v.