Francisco Antonio Pinto
Encyclopedia
Francisco Antonio Pinto y Díaz de la Puente (July 23, 1785 - July 18, 1858) was a Chile
an political figure. He was twice President of Chile
between 1827 and 1829.
, the son of Joaquín Pinto and Mercedes Díaz de la Puente. Pinto completed his early studies in the Convictorio Carolino, the best school in the country at the time, and then studied law at the Real Universidad de San Felipe, being admitted to practice on October 11, 1808.
In his youth he dedicated himself to commerce. According to the social norms of the time, he also became a militia officer in the "Regimiento del Rey" (King's regiment). In 1810, while in Lima, he heard of the formation of the Government Junta of the Kingdom
, and immediately returned to the country, where he was charged with a diplomatic mission to Buenos Aires. After that successful first mission, he was sent to England, and then to other European countries, with the mission of gathering support for the independence movement. While in Europe he learnt of the news of the defeat of the Chilean army in the Battle of Rancagua and the recapture of Chile by the Spanish troops. He then returned to Argentina to cooperate in the formation of a new army.
Pinto married Luisa Garmendia Aldurralde and had two children, Aníbal Pinto
, who would become President of Chile, and Enriqueta Pinto
, future wife of President Manuel Bulnes
. His grandnephew (and grandson of José Miguel Carrera
), Ignacio Carrera Pinto
, became a hero at the War of the Pacific
.
to Peru, to help in the independence of that country. In 1824 he was named as Minister of Government and Foreign Affairs
, and in 1825, Intendant of Coquimbo.
In 1827, due to the resignation of the President Agustín Eyzaguirre, General Ramón Freire was elected President, while he was elected as Vice President. When General Freire himself resigned on May 5, 1827, General Pinto took over the position as Accidental President. As such he participated in the drafting of the Constitution of 1828.
A new presidential election was called in May 1829. General Pinto was the clear winner out of 9 candidates, with 118 electoral votes (29,06%), and was proclaimed elected on October 19. Nevertheless, the onset of the Chilean Civil War of 1829 was at hand.
The problem that caused the revolution happened in the vice presidential election. The winner should have been the first runner-up, Francisco Ruiz-Tagle
(98 electoral votes or 24,13%), or the second runner-up, General José Joaquín Prieto
, (61 votes or 15,02%), both conservatives. Nonetheless, Congress was controlled by the liberals and presided by Francisco Ramón Vicuña
, also liberal. Arguing that no vice-presidential candidate had a majority, they selected Joaquín Vicuña
, brother of the president of the senate, even though he only got 48 electoral votes (11,82%). That was all the excuse needed by the conservatives to rebel.
Pinto resigned the Presidency on November 2 (less than 2 weeks after his proclamation), an event that marked his retirement from public life. All his powers were assumed by the President of Congress, Francisco Ramón Vicuña
, who was already acting as Accidental President since July 16, 1829, when Pinto had delegated his powers on him for the duration of the electoral campaign.
Pinto only returned to public life in 1841, as a congressman. The Liberal party proclaimed him as a candidate to the Presidency in the Chilean presidential elections of 1841
, in opposition to General Manuel Bulnes
, whom finally resulted elected. He did not participate in the campaign in any active form. Nonetheless he was elected a Deputy for La Serena, and President of the Chamber, on May 30, 1843. He was elected a Senator in 1846, and became a member of the permanent war and navy commission. He was also named Privy Council by President Bulnes.
On July 5, 1847 he was elected President of the Senate. He was reelected as a Senator on 1855. Pinto died in Santiago
at the age of 72, on July 18, 1858, before the end of his mandate as a Senator.
Chile
Chile ,officially the Republic of Chile , is a country in South America occupying a long, narrow coastal strip between the Andes mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Drake Passage in the far...
an political figure. He was twice President of Chile
President of Chile
The President of the Republic of Chile is both the head of state and the head of government of the Republic of Chile. The President is responsible of the government and state administration...
between 1827 and 1829.
Early life
He was born in SantiagoSantiago, Chile
Santiago , also known as Santiago de Chile, is the capital and largest city of Chile, and the center of its largest conurbation . It is located in the country's central valley, at an elevation of above mean sea level...
, the son of Joaquín Pinto and Mercedes Díaz de la Puente. Pinto completed his early studies in the Convictorio Carolino, the best school in the country at the time, and then studied law at the Real Universidad de San Felipe, being admitted to practice on October 11, 1808.
In his youth he dedicated himself to commerce. According to the social norms of the time, he also became a militia officer in the "Regimiento del Rey" (King's regiment). In 1810, while in Lima, he heard of the formation of the Government Junta of the Kingdom
Government Junta of Chile (1810)
Government Junta of the Kingdom of Chile , also known as the First Government Junta, was the organ established to rule Chile following the deposition and imprisonment of King Ferdinand VII by Napoleon Bonaparte...
, and immediately returned to the country, where he was charged with a diplomatic mission to Buenos Aires. After that successful first mission, he was sent to England, and then to other European countries, with the mission of gathering support for the independence movement. While in Europe he learnt of the news of the defeat of the Chilean army in the Battle of Rancagua and the recapture of Chile by the Spanish troops. He then returned to Argentina to cooperate in the formation of a new army.
Pinto married Luisa Garmendia Aldurralde and had two children, Aníbal Pinto
Aníbal Pinto
Aníbal Pinto Garmendia was a Chilean political figure. He served as the president of Chile between 1876 and 1881.-Early life:...
, who would become President of Chile, and Enriqueta Pinto
Enriqueta Pinto
Enriqueta Pinto Garmendia was First Lady of Chile and the wife of President Manuel Bulnes.She was born in Santiago, the daughter of President Francisco Antonio Pinto and of former First Lady Luisa Garmendia Aldurralde. She was also the sister of President Aníbal Pinto....
, future wife of President Manuel Bulnes
Manuel Bulnes
-Sources:* Juan B. Alberdi, Biografia de general Bulnes...
. His grandnephew (and grandson of José Miguel Carrera
José Miguel Carrera
José Miguel Carrera Verdugo was a Chilean general, member of the prominent Carrera family, and considered one of the founders of independent Chile. Carrera was the most important leader of the Chilean War of Independence during the period of the Patria Vieja...
), Ignacio Carrera Pinto
Ignacio Carrera Pinto
Ignacio Carrera Pinto is a Chilean hero of the War of the Pacific.He was born in Santiago, Chile; the son of José Miguel Carrera Fontecilla, of Basque descent, and of Emilia Pinto Benavente. He was the grandson of Jose Miguel Carrera Verdugo, one of Chile's independence heroes...
, became a hero at the War of the Pacific
War of the Pacific
The War of the Pacific took place in western South America from 1879 through 1883. Chile fought against Bolivia and Peru. Despite cooperation among the three nations in the war against Spain, disputes soon arose over the mineral-rich Peruvian provinces of Tarapaca, Tacna, and Arica, and the...
.
Political career
In 1820 he finally returned to Chile. He was then sent by Bernardo O'HigginsBernardo O'Higgins
Bernardo O'Higgins Riquelme was a Chilean independence leader who, together with José de San Martín, freed Chile from Spanish rule in the Chilean War of Independence. Although he was the second Supreme Director of Chile , he is considered one of Chile's founding fathers, as he was the first holder...
to Peru, to help in the independence of that country. In 1824 he was named as Minister of Government and Foreign Affairs
Ministry of the Interior (Chile)
The Ministry of the Interior and Public Security is the cabinet-level administrative office in charge of "maintaining public order, security and social peace" within Chile. It is also charged with planning, directing, coordinating, executing, controlling, and informing the domestic policies...
, and in 1825, Intendant of Coquimbo.
In 1827, due to the resignation of the President Agustín Eyzaguirre, General Ramón Freire was elected President, while he was elected as Vice President. When General Freire himself resigned on May 5, 1827, General Pinto took over the position as Accidental President. As such he participated in the drafting of the Constitution of 1828.
A new presidential election was called in May 1829. General Pinto was the clear winner out of 9 candidates, with 118 electoral votes (29,06%), and was proclaimed elected on October 19. Nevertheless, the onset of the Chilean Civil War of 1829 was at hand.
The problem that caused the revolution happened in the vice presidential election. The winner should have been the first runner-up, Francisco Ruiz-Tagle
Francisco Ruiz-Tagle
Francisco Antonio Pascual de la Ascensión Ruiz de Tagle y Portales was a Chilean political figure. In 1830, he was briefly president of the country. Provisional President of Republic of Chile elected by Congress.-Biography:...
(98 electoral votes or 24,13%), or the second runner-up, General José Joaquín Prieto
José Joaquín Prieto
José Joaquín Prieto Vial was a Chilean military and political figure. He was twice President of Chile between 1831 and 1841. José Joaquín Prieto was of Spanish and Basque descent.-Early life:...
, (61 votes or 15,02%), both conservatives. Nonetheless, Congress was controlled by the liberals and presided by Francisco Ramón Vicuña
Francisco Ramón Vicuña
Francisco Ramón de Vicuña Larraín was a Chilean political figure. He served twice as acting President of Chile in 1829. Francisco Vicuña was of Basque descent.-Early life:...
, also liberal. Arguing that no vice-presidential candidate had a majority, they selected Joaquín Vicuña
Joaquín Vicuña
José Joaquín Vicuña Larraín was a Chilean politician whose selection as vice president by Congress precipitated the Chilean Civil War of 1829. He was of Basque descent....
, brother of the president of the senate, even though he only got 48 electoral votes (11,82%). That was all the excuse needed by the conservatives to rebel.
Pinto resigned the Presidency on November 2 (less than 2 weeks after his proclamation), an event that marked his retirement from public life. All his powers were assumed by the President of Congress, Francisco Ramón Vicuña
Francisco Ramón Vicuña
Francisco Ramón de Vicuña Larraín was a Chilean political figure. He served twice as acting President of Chile in 1829. Francisco Vicuña was of Basque descent.-Early life:...
, who was already acting as Accidental President since July 16, 1829, when Pinto had delegated his powers on him for the duration of the electoral campaign.
Cabinet
Pinto only returned to public life in 1841, as a congressman. The Liberal party proclaimed him as a candidate to the Presidency in the Chilean presidential elections of 1841
Chilean presidential election, 1841
The Chilean presidential election of 1841 took place through a system of electors, and resulted in the election as President of General Manuel Bulnes....
, in opposition to General Manuel Bulnes
Manuel Bulnes
-Sources:* Juan B. Alberdi, Biografia de general Bulnes...
, whom finally resulted elected. He did not participate in the campaign in any active form. Nonetheless he was elected a Deputy for La Serena, and President of the Chamber, on May 30, 1843. He was elected a Senator in 1846, and became a member of the permanent war and navy commission. He was also named Privy Council by President Bulnes.
On July 5, 1847 he was elected President of the Senate. He was reelected as a Senator on 1855. Pinto died in Santiago
Santiago, Chile
Santiago , also known as Santiago de Chile, is the capital and largest city of Chile, and the center of its largest conurbation . It is located in the country's central valley, at an elevation of above mean sea level...
at the age of 72, on July 18, 1858, before the end of his mandate as a Senator.