José María Cornejo
Encyclopedia
José María Cornejo Merino y Guevara (November 10, 1788, San Vicente, El Salvador
—November 24, 1864, San Vicente) was a Salvadoran politician. Two times he served as chief of state of El Salvador (1829-30 and 1830-32).
Cornejo was born in 1788 to José María Cornejo and Jacoba Merino. He married Nicolasa de Lezaca.
In Guatemala
he studied philosophy, obtaining a diploma on January 14, 1809. Later he studied canon law, but without graduating, and after that civil law, which he also did not finish. He was in Guatemala when the United Provinces of Central America approved inclusion into the Mexican Empire
of Agustín de Iturbide
. Because Cornejo opposed this union, he was sent to prison. He was freed in June 1822, and returned to El Salvador.
He was a deputy to the state congress in 1826, 1827 and 1828, when El Salvador was part of the Federal Republic of Central America
. Attaining considerable fame, he also became mayor of San Vicente and permanent councilman.
When elections for chief of state were convoked among the towns, Cornejo was the winner. He took possession of the government (still a state within the federation) on January 30, 1829 and governed for a little more than a year, to February 16, 1830.
He served a second term from December 4, 1830 to April 3, 1832. Federal President Francisco Morazán
transferred the capital of the Federation from Guatemala City
to San Salvador
in December 1831, but because of opposition from Cornejo (who opposed the federation), Morazán was forced to leave San Salvador on January 6, 1832. He went to Honduras, where he awaited the arrival of more troops from Nicaragua to reenter El Salvador.
Together with Manuel José Arce
Cornejo proclaimed the separation of El Salvador from the Union in 1832. On March 17 of that year the Salvadoran town of Chalatenango
pronounced against Cornejo and in favor of the federal government. The town of Metapán
did likewise. Morazán attacked San Miguel, El Salvador
on February 28, 1832. On March 14, 1832 in the Battle of Jocoro
, he defeated Cornejo. On March 28 he defeated him again at San Salvador. Cornejo was taken prisoner and Morazán took over direct control of El Salvador. He called elections for a constituent assembly, which subsequently elected Mariano Prado
chief of state and Joaquín de San Martín
vice chief of state.
San Vicente, El Salvador
San Vicente is a municipality in the San Vicente department of El Salvador. It was founded by 50 Spanish families in 1635, under the Tempisque tree, which is still standing today....
—November 24, 1864, San Vicente) was a Salvadoran politician. Two times he served as chief of state of El Salvador (1829-30 and 1830-32).
Cornejo was born in 1788 to José María Cornejo and Jacoba Merino. He married Nicolasa de Lezaca.
In Guatemala
Guatemala
Guatemala is a country in Central America bordered by Mexico to the north and west, the Pacific Ocean to the southwest, Belize to the northeast, the Caribbean to the east, and Honduras and El Salvador to the southeast...
he studied philosophy, obtaining a diploma on January 14, 1809. Later he studied canon law, but without graduating, and after that civil law, which he also did not finish. He was in Guatemala when the United Provinces of Central America approved inclusion into the Mexican Empire
Mexican Empire
The Mexican Empire or rarely Gran Mexico was the name of modern Mexico on two brief occasions in the 19th century when it was ruled by an emperor. With the Declaration of Independence of the Mexican Empire from Spain in 1821, Mexico became an independent monarchy, but was soon replaced with the...
of Agustín de Iturbide
Agustín de Iturbide
Agustín Cosme Damián de Iturbide y Aramburu , also known as Augustine I of Mexico, was a Mexican army general who built a successful political and military coalition that was able to march into Mexico City on 27 September 1821, decisively ending the Mexican War of Independence...
. Because Cornejo opposed this union, he was sent to prison. He was freed in June 1822, and returned to El Salvador.
He was a deputy to the state congress in 1826, 1827 and 1828, when El Salvador was part of the Federal Republic of Central America
Federal Republic of Central America
The Federal Republic of Central America, known as the United Provinces of Central America in its first year of creation, was a sovereign state in Central America, which consisted of the territories of the former Captaincy General of Guatemala of New Spain...
. Attaining considerable fame, he also became mayor of San Vicente and permanent councilman.
When elections for chief of state were convoked among the towns, Cornejo was the winner. He took possession of the government (still a state within the federation) on January 30, 1829 and governed for a little more than a year, to February 16, 1830.
He served a second term from December 4, 1830 to April 3, 1832. Federal President Francisco Morazán
Francisco Morazán
General Francisco Morazán was a Honduran general and a politician who ruled several Central American states at different times during the turbulent period from 1827 to 1842. He rose to prominence at the legendary Battle of La Trinidad on November 11, 1827...
transferred the capital of the Federation from Guatemala City
Guatemala City
Guatemala City , is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Guatemala and Central America...
to San Salvador
San Salvador
The city of San Salvador the capital and largest city of El Salvador, which has been designated a Gamma World City. Its complete name is La Ciudad de Gran San Salvador...
in December 1831, but because of opposition from Cornejo (who opposed the federation), Morazán was forced to leave San Salvador on January 6, 1832. He went to Honduras, where he awaited the arrival of more troops from Nicaragua to reenter El Salvador.
Together with Manuel José Arce
Manuel José Arce
General Manuel José Arce y Fagoaga was a decorated General and president of the Federal Republic of Central America from 1825 to 1829.- Background :...
Cornejo proclaimed the separation of El Salvador from the Union in 1832. On March 17 of that year the Salvadoran town of Chalatenango
Chalatenango
Chalatenango can refer to:* the Chalatenango Department in El Salvador* the city Chalatenango in El Salvador...
pronounced against Cornejo and in favor of the federal government. The town of Metapán
Metapán
Metapán is a municipality in the Santa Ana department of El Salvador.-Geography:The city of Metapan, next to the San Jose River, at 470 meters of height, is located at 46 kilometers to the north of Santa Ana city, joined together by a paved highway. The municipality extends beyond the city and into...
did likewise. Morazán attacked San Miguel, El Salvador
San Miguel, El Salvador
San Miguel is the fourth most populous city in El Salvador after Santa Ana and Soyapango and the second most important after San Salvador. It is located 138 km east of the capital, San Salvador. It is also the capital of the department of San Miguel and a municipality...
on February 28, 1832. On March 14, 1832 in the Battle of Jocoro
Jocoro
Jocoro is a municipality in the Morazán department of El Salvador....
, he defeated Cornejo. On March 28 he defeated him again at San Salvador. Cornejo was taken prisoner and Morazán took over direct control of El Salvador. He called elections for a constituent assembly, which subsequently elected Mariano Prado
Mariano Prado
Mariano Prado Baca was a Central American lawyer and a four-time, liberal chief of state of El Salvador, while it was a state in the Federal Republic of Central America ....
chief of state and Joaquín de San Martín
Joaquín de San Martín
Colonel Joaquín de San Martín y Ulloa was a Salvadoran military officer and politician who was twice chief of state of the State of El Salvador, within the Federal Republic of Central America .Joaquín de San Martín was a lieutenant of dragoons in Yoro...
vice chief of state.