The (Spanish for the 'School of Concord' or 'Agreement'), also known as the Patriotic Society of the Friends of the Country of Quito () was an influential society in Spanish South America during the 1790s. It was centered in Quito, the capital of the Royal Audience of Quito, but also had members in Bogotá, Guayaquil, Riobamba, and Ibarra. It promoted Enlightenment thought and nationalism in the discussion of regional affairs and is seen as a precursor to Quitonian independence as the Republic of Ecuador.
History The society was inspired by the "Discourse to the Illustrious and Loyal City of Quito" published by the Quitonian native Dr.Eugenio de Santa Cruz y Espejo during his visit to the viceregal capital Bogotá in 1789.
The society was founded two years later as the "Patriotic Society of the Friends of the Country" by 23 creoles and mestizos who met at the University of St Gregory the Great (now Quito's Metropolitan Cultural Center) on 30 November 1791. They pledged to meet once a week to address issues concerning education, science, agriculture, commerce, politics, and the arts. The Patriotic Society soon became better known by Espejo's earlier name, the . Under his editorship, it published the audience's first newspaper in 1792.
The group had expected royal approval but this was rejected via official decree on 11 November 1793. The group ceased official activity shortly thereafter, with Espejo's death ending the last of its operations by 1796.Federico González Suárez
Members
Name Occupation Location Notes Miguel de Jijón and León 1st Count of Casa Jijón Quito 1st president Juan José Guerrero and Matheu 5th Count of Selva Florida Quito 1st director Eugenio de Santa Cruz y Espejo lawyer Quito 1st secretary Francisco Javier Salazar lawyer Quito founding member Francisco de la Graña clergyman Quito founding member Sancho de Escobar writer Quito founding member Ramón Yépez writer Quito founding member Juan José Boniche writer Quito founding member Juan Larrea writer Quito founding member José de Cuero y Caicedo bishop Quito José Antonio Pérez Calama bishop Quito Juan Pío Montúfar 2nd Marquis of Selva Alegre Quito Jacinto Sánchez de Orellana 2nd Marquis of Villa de Orellana Quito Manuel de Larrea y Jijón 1st Marquis of San José Ibarra Francisco Luis Héctor de Carondelet Baron de Carondelet Quito Juan Pablo Arenas lawyer Quito Javier de Ascázubi y Matheu lawyer Quito Francisco Antonio Zea lawyer Bogotá Antonio Nariño soldier Bogotá Magdalena Dávalos y Maldonado magnate Riobamba Pedro de Montúfar soldier Ibarra Jacinto de Bejarano soldier Guayaquil
Legacy Although the School of Concord was short-lived, it has been remembered in Ecuadorian history as an important precursor and harbinger of the local resistance that established Ecuador's independence over the next few decades and transferred political power from the Spanish to local creole elites.
See also Economic Societies of the Friends of the Country
Notes
References
Bibliography .