Jovan Radonjić

Jovan Radonjić (, 1748 – 8 July 1803), commonly known as Jovo (Јово) or Joko, was the Guvernadur of Montenegro between 1764 and 1803.

Early life Jovan was born in Njeguši, the son of vojvoda and serdar Stanislav Radonjić (1690–1758), the first guvernadur (s. 1756–58). The family belonged to the Radonjić-Rajičević brotherhood of Njeguši.

It is possible that he had an older brother, Vukale, who had served as the guvernadur following Stanislav's death.

Term during Metropolitan Sava

Jovan was elected guvernadur by the assembly in Cetinje in 1764. The young Jovan had the final word in that period in Montenegro; the Venetians, the Vizier of Scutari and surrounding Ottoman pashas and beys turned to him when something needed to be arranged.

The fact that the Republic of Venice, the traditional ally of the Montenegrins, saw negatively on the relations between Russia and Montenegro is evident from a letter sent by Montenegrin chieftains to the provveditore of Kotor Gaetan Molino dated 1 April 1770, which condemns the antagonistic approach by the Venetians to the Montenegrin-Russian relations. The letter was signed by guvernadur Jovan Radonjić, serdar Vukale Vukotić, serdar J. Đurašković, serdar Jovo Petrović, and serdar M. Plamenac. Mehmed Pasha Bushati attacked the Kuči and Bjelopavlići, but was decisively defeated and returned to Scutari. In the beginning of August 1775, Jovan sent an extensive petition to the Russian court, not to forget about the Montenegrins.

On 27 April 1779, a letter in Italian signed by Jovan Radonjić, Ivan Petrović, arhimandrit Petar Petrović and conte Pietro Beladinovich to the Austrian Emperor thanked for the gifts sent to them by the Empress through the clerk Heinz. They were most happy with the painting of the Emperor, which they saw as a proof of honour and protection from the Austrian side.

Term during Metropolitan Petar I

Conflict with Petar I The Metropolitan and Jovan were the two head chiefs of Montenegro, one by title, the other according to actual position. Jovan sought to rule Montenegro by himself; he appropriated secular rights for himself, and wanted the Metropolitan to exerice only his spiritual leadership; that the guvernadur was the master of the people and the Metropolitan the master of the church.

The two clashed in international politics: the Metropolitan held to Russia, while Jovan relied on Austria.

During this period, Montenegro was divided into the following districts: Katunska nahija, Riječka nahija, Crmnička nahija, Lješanska nahija and Pješivačka nahija. These were governed by the officials, Jovan Radonjić and the Metropolitan, with the help of 5 serdars, 9 vojvodas and 34 knezes (a synthesis of secular and theocratic government which will cause strife and struggle for supremacy until 1832–1833).

Kara Mahmud Pasha's offensive (1785) When Kara Mahmud Pasha's large army advanced towards Montenegro, the Montenegrin army of 8,000 was reduced by 3,000 Crmničani, and they were followed by many more surrenders.

When Jovan saw Mahmud Pasha's army across Bjelica, he set his own house on fire and fled to Venetian territory. Mahmud Pasha went to burn down the Njeguši tribe, but the Nikšići asked him to preserve it, because they had trading relations with them. This Sofronije Marković (self-styled Jugović), was promised by Jovan the throne of Montenegro; Jovan sought to bring him to the land and replace Petrović, then get rid of him too, securing the rule for himself. He sent another letter in 1789. Having faith in Austria, he led a delegation consisting mainly of chieftains from the Crmnica nahija.

After the victory, Jovan wrote to Vienna and asked to be compensated for his house that he had earlier burnt down. As the Austrians were satisfied with Jovan's efforts, they sent him money and lumber for the repair of the house.

Last years Shortly before his death, Jovan purchased a printing press in Vienna and hired an Austrian to educate the Montenegrins in using it. However, Metropolitan Petar I accused him of bringing an Austrian spy, and charged him of wanting to sell Montenegro to the Austrian Crown. Thus, Jovan gave up on the idea of printing, and sold the press to a merchant in the Bay of Kotor. Several years later, Petar II Petrović-Njegoš brought the same press back to Montenegro.