Juan Martín de Veramendi

Juan Martin de Veramendi (December 17, 1778–1833) was a Spanish (1778-1821, Mexican independence) and Mexican (1821–1833) politician who served as governor of the Mexican state of Coahuila y Tejas 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 of Bexar (1824, 1825 and 1828) and Vice Governor (in Coahuila y Tejas province on September 6, 1830).

Personal life Veramendi was born on December 17, 1778, in San Antonio de Béxar, known as Béxar, which was then a part of Spanish Texas.

Fernando was a merchant. He owned four tracts of irrigated land as well as a stone house on Soledad Street, Fernando Veramendi was killed in an Indian 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.

In 1810, Juan Martín Veramendi married María Josefa Navarro, the sister of his good friend José Antonio Navarro.

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.

The Mexican War of Independence 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 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.

Spanish forces under General José Joaquín de Arredondo 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.

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 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, while Jimenez, Navarro, and Veramendi finished the trek to Natchitoches. On their way back to camp, the trio took an unexplained detour to Opelousas.

Veramendi was elected to the ayuntamiento as a councilman in 1820. The following year, he, Erasmo Seguin, and others from Béxar travelled to Natchitoches to meet Stephen F. Austin, an American who was considering becoming an empresario, or colonizer, in Texas. The men escorted Austin to Béxar. On their journey home, they learned that Mexico had declared independence from Spain.

In May 1827, Veramendi was named an alternate legislator to the Congress of the state of Coahuila y Tejas; he would serve if either of the elected legislators was unable to fulfill his duty.

In 1827, Veramendi also received a land grant entitling him to 11 leagues. 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. The legislature also dealt with the salaries of local officials, funding for schools and the military, and establishing wells along a main road.

Death and legacy The government reconvened in Monclova on April 1, 1833. By late August, a cholera epidemic swept the city. The town's water supply was infected, and over 450 people died.