José de Bustamante y Guerra

José de Bustamante y Guerra ( born April 1, 1759 in Ontaneda, Cantabria, Spain, † March 10, 1825 in Madrid) was a Spanish politician and sailors.

Malaspina Expedition

Bustamante, as it is sometimes also called for short, joined in 1788 with the in Spanish services navigator Alessandro Malaspina di Mulazzo together. Together, the two went on a research expedition to the Pacific, which lasted from 1789 to 1794. During this expedition along the lines of travel of James Cook, he was commander of the corvette Atrevida. Malaspina had the command of the corvette Descubierta. A run of Bustamante in the course of the expedition diary was published in 1868.

Later life

After he returned to Spain in 1794, he continued his collaboration with Malaspina, until the latter was arrested on charges of conspiracy against the state. However, Bustamante remained untouched by the political difficulties Mala Spina. In 1796 he was appointed in today's South America Uruguay governor of Montevideo. There he settled on 11 February 1797 and had this position until 1804.

As of August 9, 1804, he commanded the silver fleet sailed from Montevideo to Spain. In the battle of October 5, 1804 his squadron was overwhelmed by a British squadron and the treasure - was responsible for what he - confiscated.

1810 he was appointed Capitán General of Guatemala. As such, he remained active until 1817.