Juan Martin de Veramendi (December 17, 1778–1833) was a Spanish (1778-1821,
Mexican independence
The Mexican War of Independence ( es, Guerra de Independencia de México, links=no, 16 September 1810 – 27 September 1821) was an armed conflict and political process resulting in Mexico's independence from Spain. It was not a single, co ...
) and Mexican (1821–1833) politician who served as governor of the
Mexican state of
Coahuila y Tejas
Coahuila y Tejas, officially the Estado Libre y Soberano de Coahuila y Tejas (), was one of the constituent states of the newly established United Mexican States under its 1824 Constitution.
It had two capitals: first Saltillo (1822–1825) for ...
from 1832 until 1833. Veramendi was also collector of foreign revenue (in Bexar in 1822–1823), alternate deputy of the Texas Provincial Depuration to the
Mexican National Constituent Congress,
alcalde
Alcalde (; ) is the traditional Spanish municipal magistrate, who had both judicial and administrative functions. An ''alcalde'' was, in the absence of a corregidor, the presiding officer of the Castilian '' cabildo'' (the municipal council) a ...
of Bexar (1824, 1825 and 1828) and
Vice Governor
A lieutenant governor, lieutenant-governor, or vice governor is a high officer of state, whose precise role and rank vary by jurisdiction. Often a lieutenant governor is the deputy, or lieutenant, to or ranked under a governor — a "second-in-comm ...
(in
Coahuila y Tejas
Coahuila y Tejas, officially the Estado Libre y Soberano de Coahuila y Tejas (), was one of the constituent states of the newly established United Mexican States under its 1824 Constitution.
It had two capitals: first Saltillo (1822–1825) for ...
province on September 6, 1830).
Personal life
Veramendi was born on December 17, 1778, in
San Antonio de Béxar
("Cradle of Freedom")
, image_map =
, mapsize = 220px
, map_caption = Interactive map of San Antonio
, subdivision_type = Country
, subdivision_name = United States
, subdivision_type1= State
, subdivision_name1 = Texas
, subdivision_t ...
, known as Béxar, which was then a part of
Spanish Texas
Spanish Texas was one of the interior provinces of the colonial Viceroyalty of New Spain from 1690 until 1821. The term "interior provinces" first appeared in 1712, as an expression meaning "far away" provinces. It was only in 1776 that a lega ...
.
[ He was the second son of Fernando Veramendi, a native of ]Pamplona, Spain
Pamplona (; eu, Iruña or ), historically also known as Pampeluna in English, is the capital city of the Chartered Community of Navarre, in Spain. It is also the third-largest city in the greater Basque cultural region.
Lying at near above ...
, who had come to Béxar by 1775, and María Josefa Granados, a native of Béxar.[McDonald (2010), p. 29.]
Fernando was a merchant. He owned four tracts of irrigated land as well as a stone house on Soledad Street,[ "one of the more substantial homes" in the town.][McDonald (2010), p. 28.] Fernando Veramendi was killed in an Indian
Indian or Indians may refer to:
Peoples South Asia
* Indian people, people of Indian nationality, or people who have an Indian ancestor
** Non-resident Indian, a citizen of India who has temporarily emigrated to another country
* South Asia ...
attack in May 1783, leaving his property to be divided between his children, José Maria, Juan Martín, and Fernando Ramon . Another child, daughter María Josefa, was born soon after Fernando's death.[
Per the terms of his father's will, Juan Martín Veramendi and his brothers were under the oversight of Father Pedro Fuentes, who would see to their education, and Juan José de la Santa, who would oversee the property. His mother soon remarried, to Spaniard Juan Martin de Amondarain.][ By 1790, María Josefa Granados had died and Father Fuentes had left the area, leaving Amondarain to raise the children.][McDonald (2010), p. 30.]
In 1810, Juan Martín Veramendi married María Josefa Navarro, the sister of his good friend José Antonio Navarro
José Antonio Navarro (February 27, 1795 – January 13, 1871) was a Texas statesman, revolutionary, rancher, and merchant. The son of Ángel Navarro and Josefa María Ruiz y Peña, he was born into a distinguished noble family at Sa ...
.[ Their first child, Ursula, arrived in October 1811,][ and they had six other children together.][ Veramendi and his wife also raised their goddaughter, Juana Navarro, daughter of José Navarro and Concepción Cervantes.][ This couple's eldest daughter, Maria Ursula de Veramendi, was the wife of Texas revolutionary ]Jim Bowie
James Bowie ( ) ( – March 6, 1836) was a 19th-century American pioneer, slave smuggler and trader, and soldier who played a prominent role in the Texas Revolution. He was among the Americans who died at the Battle of the Alamo. Stories of h ...
.
Career
By 1801, Veramendi had taken sole ownership of the family home and had embarked on a career as a merchant. The 1804 census shows Veramendi living with one of his brothers, his sister, and a five-year-old slave girl. He was listed as a notary, which implied some education in crafting legal documents.[ Four years later, he was appointed the ''sindico-procurador'' for the '']ayuntamiento
''Ayuntamiento'' ()In other languages of Spain:
* ca, ajuntament ().
* gl, concello ().
* eu, udaletxea (). is the general term for the town council, or ''cabildo'', of a municipality or, sometimes, as is often the case in Spain and Latin Amer ...
'', meaning he had authority to enforce the rules of the ''ayuntamiento''.[ He continued trading goods, and also developed a ranch along ]Cibolo Creek
Cibolo Creek is a stream in South Central Texas that runs approximately from its source at Turkey Knob (in the Texas Hill Country) near Boerne, Texas, to its confluence with the San Antonio River in Karnes County. The creek is a tributary of th ...
, where he raised cattle, sheep, and goats.[McDonald (2010), p. 31.]
The Mexican War of Independence
The Mexican War of Independence ( es, Guerra de Independencia de México, links=no, 16 September 1810 – 27 September 1821) was an armed conflict and political process resulting in Mexico's independence from Spain. It was not a single, co ...
broke out in 1810, and while most of the fighting was in the interior, two separate revolts took place in Texas. In early 1811, Juan Bautista de las Casas
Juan Bautista de las Casas led a revolt against the governor of Spanish Texas in 1811 and served as head of the province for 39 days until he was deposed.
Revolt
The Mexican War of Independence was launched on September 16, 1810, by Father ...
led a revolt in Béxar, overthrowing local authorities. Veramendi joined other prominent men in the area in plotting a counterrevolt; they successfully captured de las Casas on March 3. For his efforts, Veramendi received public commendation from General Nemesio Salcedo
Nemesio de Salcedo (fl. 1804 - 1813) was a Spanish colonial official who served as the Commandant-General of the Provincias Internas, which at the time included much of northern Mexico and the Southwestern United States.
Early life and family ...
.[ The following year, Veramendi led a trading caravan, carrying his wool to export. His mules and the wool were confiscated in east Texas by the ]Gutiérrez–Magee Expedition
The Gutiérrez–Magee Expedition was an 1812–1813 joint filibustering expedition by Mexico and the United States against Spanish Texas during the early years of the Mexican War of Independence.
Background
In 1810, Father Miguel Hidalgo y Cos ...
, which intended to fight the Spanish authorities in Texas. While the expedition moved south to capture Presidio La Bahia
A presidio ( en, jail, fortification) was a fortified base established by the Spanish Empire around between 16th and 18th centuries in areas in condition of their control or influence. The presidios of Spanish Philippines in particular, were cent ...
and Béxar, Veramendi travelled to Natchitoches, Louisiana
Natchitoches ( ; french: link=no, Les Natchitoches) is a small city and the parish seat of Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana, United States. Established in 1714 by Louis Juchereau de St. Denis as part of French Louisiana, the community was named ...
, where he remained. There, he loaned money to either Jean Lafitte
Jean Lafitte ( – ) was a French pirate and privateer who operated in the Gulf of Mexico in the early 19th century. He and his older brother Pierre spelled their last name Laffite, but English language documents of the time used "Lafitte". Th ...
or his brother Pierre
Pierre is a masculine given name. It is a French form of the name Peter. Pierre originally meant "rock" or "stone" in French (derived from the Greek word πέτρος (''petros'') meaning "stone, rock", via Latin "petra"). It is a translation ...
.[McDonald (2010), p. 32.]
Spanish forces under General José Joaquín de Arredondo
José Joaquín de Arredondo y Mioño (also known as Jose Arredondo y Miono Pelegrin y Oceja) (1768–1837) was a 19th-century Spanish and Mexican soldier who served during the last two decades of Spanish rule in New Spain. He was military comma ...
soon quelled the rebellion in Texas, and Arredondo swept Béxar looking for traitors to punish. In October, Arredondo issued a general pardon and amnesty, which explicitly excluded Veramendi and his friend Francisco Ruiz (who had fought alongside the rebels), who were named as leaders of the rebellion. A 250-peso reward was offered for Veramendi's death. His home was confiscated and given to several army officers.[ In March 1814, Veramendi secured a partial pardon for himself and his younger brother Fernando; they were allowed to return to Mexico provided they agreed to remain under surveillance. Veramendi journeyed to Monterrey to speak with Arredondo. Following that conversation, Arredondo dismissed all charges against Veramendi and authorized the return of his property.][McDonald (2010), p. 33.]
Several years later, as the civil war in Mexico continued, there were further reports that foreigners were attempting to invade Texas. In September 1818, a small military expedition under Jose de Castenada journeyed to Galveston
Galveston ( ) is a coastal resort city and port off the Southeast Texas coast on Galveston Island and Pelican Island in the U.S. state of Texas. The community of , with a population of 47,743 in 2010, is the county seat of surrounding Galvesto ...
to investigate reports that foreigners had landed. Veramendi and his friend Navarro volunteered to accompany the troops. Castaneda assigned Sergeant Jose Jimenez to take 3 soldiers, and five civilians, including Navarro and Veramendi, to Natchitoches to deliver some official correspondence. Jimenez instructed his small group to remain camped on the Calcasieu River
The Calcasieu River ( ; french: Rivière Calcasieu) is a river on the Gulf Coast in southwestern Louisiana. Approximately long,U.S. Geological Survey. National Hydrography Dataset high-resolution flowline dataThe National Map, accessed June 20, ...
, while Jimenez, Navarro, and Veramendi finished the trek to Natchitoches. On their way back to camp, the trio took an unexplained detour to Opelousas :''Opelousas is also a common name of the flathead catfish.''
Opelousas (french: Les Opélousas; Spanish: ''Los Opeluzás'') is a small city and the parish seat of St. Landry Parish, Louisiana, United States. Interstate 49 and U.S. Route 190 were ...
.[ After their return, Veramendi and Navarro were accused of illegally trading in Louisiana, but they were not prosecuted.][McDonald (2010), p. 34.]
Veramendi was elected to the ''ayuntamiento'' as a councilman in 1820. The following year, he, Erasmo Seguin
Erasmo is a given name. Notable people with the name include:
*Claudio Erasmo Vargas (born 1974), Mexican race walker
*Erasmo Carlos (born 1941), Brazilian singer and songwriter
*Erasmo Catarino (born 1977), Mexican singer, winner on the TV show ' ...
, and others from Béxar travelled to Natchitoches to meet Stephen F. Austin
Stephen Fuller Austin (November 3, 1793 – December 27, 1836) was an American-born empresario. Known as the "Father of Texas" and the founder of Anglo Texas,Hatch (1999), p. 43. he led the second and, ultimately, the successful colonization ...
, an American who was considering becoming an ''empresario
An empresario () was a person who had been granted the right to settle on land in exchange for recruiting and taking responsibility for settling the eastern areas of Coahuila y Tejas in the early nineteenth century. The word in Spanish for entre ...
'', or colonizer, in Texas. The men escorted Austin to Béxar. On their journey home, they learned that Mexico had declared independence from Spain.[
The new Mexican government soon named La Bahia an official port of entry for Mexico, the first in Texas. Veramendi was named the collector of import taxes, a role which provided him a substantial income.][ He held this post in 1822 and 1823. leaving office when he was elected alternate deputy of the Texas Provincial Deputation to the Mexican National Constituent Congress.][ In 1824 and 1825 he was elected '']alcalde
Alcalde (; ) is the traditional Spanish municipal magistrate, who had both judicial and administrative functions. An ''alcalde'' was, in the absence of a corregidor, the presiding officer of the Castilian '' cabildo'' (the municipal council) a ...
'' of Béxar.[ During this time he managed to resolve most of the disputes over the 1813 confiscation of property.][McDonald (2010), p. 35.]
In May 1827, Veramendi was named an alternate legislator to the Congress of the state of Coahuila y Tejas
Coahuila y Tejas, officially the Estado Libre y Soberano de Coahuila y Tejas (), was one of the constituent states of the newly established United Mexican States under its 1824 Constitution.
It had two capitals: first Saltillo (1822–1825) for ...
; he would serve if either of the elected legislators was unable to fulfill his duty.[ He was elected ''alcalde'' again in 1828 and used his position as alternate legislator as an excuse to ask that the election be overturned. Governor Jose Maria Viesca refused to set aside the results of the election, instructing Veramendi to serve unless he was actually called to the legislature.][McDonald (2010), p. 36.]
In 1827, Veramendi also received a land grant entitling him to 11 leagues.[
He was nominated for Vice-Governor of Coahuila y Tejas in 1830. The legislature, composed of eight men, voted. A run-off was called between Veramendi and Ignacio de Arizpe.][ Veramendi won the run-off unanimously][ on September 6, 1830. As vice-governor, he was expected to live in the provincial capital, ]Saltillo
Saltillo () is the capital and largest city of the northeastern Mexican state of Coahuila and is also the municipal seat of the municipality of the same name. Mexico City, Monterrey, and Saltillo are all connected by a major railroad and highwa ...
.[ There is no record that he was ever sworn in, however, and he remained at his home in Béxar.][
His eldest daughter married ]James Bowie
James Bowie ( ) ( – March 6, 1836) was a 19th-century American pioneer, slave smuggler and trader, and soldier who played a prominent role in the Texas Revolution. He was among the Americans who died at the Battle of the Alamo. Stories of h ...
on April 25, 1831, "in what was said to have been the most elaborate social event in years".[
When the governor of the province, José María de Letona, died in September 1832, Veramendi assumed the office.] Two months later, the legislature summoned Veramendi to Saltillo to take over. He was sworn in on December 24, 1832. Among the laws he signed was one transferring the state capitol back to Monclova, an issue very important to Texans.[McDonald (2010), p. 37.] The legislature also dealt with the salaries of local officials, funding for schools and the military, and establishing wells along a main road.[McDonald (2010), p. 38.]
Death and legacy
The government reconvened in Monclova on April 1, 1833. By late August, a cholera
Cholera is an infection of the small intestine by some strains of the bacterium ''Vibrio cholerae''. Symptoms may range from none, to mild, to severe. The classic symptom is large amounts of watery diarrhea that lasts a few days. Vomiting and ...
epidemic swept the city. The town's water supply was infected, and over 450 people died.[ The Veramendi family became ill in early September. Veramendi's wife died first, with the rest of the family following quickly. Veramendi died on September 7. His body, and those of his family, were buried in a mass grave at the Royal Hospital Cemetery.][
At the time of his death, Veramendi's property was worth over 30,000 pesos. He owned more than 30 books, including a ]Bible
The Bible (from Koine Greek , , 'the books') is a collection of religious texts or scriptures that are held to be sacred in Christianity, Judaism, Samaritanism, and many other religions. The Bible is an anthologya compilation of texts of a ...
, a book of medicines, French and Spanish grammar, geography, as well as ''Rights of Man
''Rights of Man'' (1791), a book by Thomas Paine, including 31 articles, posits that popular political revolution is permissible when a government does not safeguard the natural rights of its people. Using these points as a base it defends the ...
'', '' Life of Napoleon'', and ''Don Quixote
is a Spanish epic novel by Miguel de Cervantes. Originally published in two parts, in 1605 and 1615, its full title is ''The Ingenious Gentleman Don Quixote of La Mancha'' or, in Spanish, (changing in Part 2 to ). A founding work of Wester ...
''.[
As of 2010, no comprehensive account of his life has been published.][McDonald (2010), p. 39.]
References
Sources
{{DEFAULTSORT:Veramendi, Juan Martin de
Governors of Coahuila
Governors of Mexican Texas
Mexican people of Basque descent
1778 births
1833 deaths
People from San Antonio
Tejano politicians
Tejano slave owners