# Ferrera First Constitutional President (1841)

URL: https://allhistories.com/honduras/timeline/1841-ferrera-first-constitutional-president
Location: Comayagua, Comayagua, Honduras
Themes: main-event

Francisco Ferrera, born in 1794 in San Juan de Flores (Cantarranas), had been a sacristan, musician and village mayor before joining Morazán's armies, distinguishing himself at La Trinidad in 1827. He later turned against Morazán, led the secessionist uprising of 1838 and commanded the allied armies against the federation, becoming the strongman of the conservative order in Honduras. After the provisional government of José Francisco Zelaya y Ayes, the legislative assembly called elections in June 1840. Ferrera was the only candidate; according to the president of the assembly about 3,400 citizens voted for him, and the assembly declared him elected on 30 December 1840. He took office on 1 January 1841 for the two-year term set by the 1839 constitution. His government faced a smallpox epidemic, reopened the Tridentine College in Comayagua, opened the Pacific port of La Paz (now San Lorenzo), reorganised the army and restored compulsory tithes for the church. He was re-elected in 1843. Ferrera dominated Honduras until 1847, governing directly or through allies and persecuting supporters of Morazán. His era established a pattern of caudillo rule, close ties between state and church, and dependence on the support of Carrera's Guatemala. At this point in the timeline (1 January 1841), the President of Honduras was Francisco Ferrera (1 January 1841 – 31 December 1842).

## Why it matters
Ferrera's presidency inaugurated constitutional government in the sovereign republic and a long conservative ascendancy.

Ruler at the Time: [Francisco Ferrera (1841–1842)](https://allhistories.com/honduras/rulers/francisco-ferrera-1841)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia — Francisco Ferrera](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francisco_Ferrera)
- [Spanish Wikipedia — Francisco Ferrera](https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francisco_Ferrera)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica — Honduras history](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=Honduras+history)
- [Library of Congress Country Studies — Honduras](https://countrystudies.us/honduras/)
- [Wikipedia — Conservatives, Liberals and Reform (period overview)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Honduras)