Domingo Matheu
Encyclopedia
Domingo Matheu was a Spanish businessman and politician. He was a member of the Primera Junta
, the first national government of modern Argentina.
in 1793. His business became one of the biggest ones of the city by that time.
He fought against the British during the British invasions to the Rio de la Plata, in the regiment of Miñones. He took part in both the liberation and the following defense of the city.
He became a powerful member of the Buenos Aires Cabildo
, where he supported the revolutionary movements. He took part in the open cabildo of May 22, 1810.
After the departure of Cisneros following the May Revolution
he was designated vocal of the Primera Junta
. The Primera Junta became the Junta Grande
afterwards, and Matheu was designated its president when Cornelio Saavedra
left it to join the battles in the north. Matheu and Larrea supported the national government with the money they obtained from commerce.
He was designated later director of the design of weapons and military outfits. He retired from political life in 1817, staying just in commercial activities until his death in 1831.
Primera Junta
The Primera Junta or First Assembly is the most common name given to the first independent government of Argentina. It was created on 25 May 1810, as a result of the events of the May Revolution. The Junta initially had representatives from only Buenos Aires...
, the first national government of modern Argentina.
Biography
Matheu studied in Spain, getting a degree of naval pilot. He obtained a permission to trade with the colonies in America with his brother Miguel, and after many journeys he settled in Buenos AiresBuenos Aires
Buenos Aires is the capital and largest city of Argentina, and the second-largest metropolitan area in South America, after São Paulo. It is located on the western shore of the estuary of the Río de la Plata, on the southeastern coast of the South American continent...
in 1793. His business became one of the biggest ones of the city by that time.
He fought against the British during the British invasions to the Rio de la Plata, in the regiment of Miñones. He took part in both the liberation and the following defense of the city.
He became a powerful member of the Buenos Aires Cabildo
Buenos Aires Cabildo
The Buenos Aires Cabildo is the public building in Buenos Aires that was used as seat of the ayuntamiento during the colonial times and the government house of the Viceroyalty of the Río de la Plata...
, where he supported the revolutionary movements. He took part in the open cabildo of May 22, 1810.
After the departure of Cisneros following the May Revolution
May Revolution
The May Revolution was a week-long series of events that took place from May 18 to 25, 1810, in Buenos Aires, capital of the Viceroyalty of the Río de la Plata, a Spanish colony that included roughly the territories of present-day Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay and Uruguay...
he was designated vocal of the Primera Junta
Primera Junta
The Primera Junta or First Assembly is the most common name given to the first independent government of Argentina. It was created on 25 May 1810, as a result of the events of the May Revolution. The Junta initially had representatives from only Buenos Aires...
. The Primera Junta became the Junta Grande
Junta Grande
Junta Grande is the most common name for the executive government of the United Provinces of the Río de la Plata , that followed the incorporation of provincial representatives into the Primera Junta .- Origin :...
afterwards, and Matheu was designated its president when Cornelio Saavedra
Cornelio Saavedra
Cornelio Judas Tadeo de Saavedra y Rodríguez was a military officer and statesman from the Viceroyalty of the Río de la Plata...
left it to join the battles in the north. Matheu and Larrea supported the national government with the money they obtained from commerce.
He was designated later director of the design of weapons and military outfits. He retired from political life in 1817, staying just in commercial activities until his death in 1831.