The presidency of Manuel Oribe began on 1 March 1835 when he was inaugurated as the 2nd constitutional president of Uruguay. Oribe took office following his appointment by the General Assembly after he was unanimously voted in favour in the 1835 presidential election performed in the Parliament, while his presidency ended with his resignation on 24 October 1838 following the political pressures of that time.
This administration received the state treasury almost in bankruptcy, forcing the government to seek external financing. Among the outstanding policies of this period was the creation of Salto, Tacuarembó and Minas (currently named Lavalleja) Departments, the promotion of the tertiary education through the establishment of several degrees in the House of General Studies (that later would become the University of the Republic), amnesties to the 1832-1834 Lavalleja's uprisings followers and several pension laws. On the other hand, there were several armed uprisings encouraged by his new opponent, former president Fructuoso Rivera.
Background
On 1 March 1835, Manuel Oribe was unanimously elected by the General Assembly as the second constitutional president of Uruguay, with the thirty-four legislators present voting for Oribe. This support reflected the reputation that Oribe was enjoying at that time, for "his moral, civic and military skills". The fact of being "Rivera's candidate" partly explained his triumph, but that did not mean that he had not had his own merits. His contribution to reach the peace was essential to definitively defeat the Lavalleja's rebellions, during which Oribe supported Rivera.
He aspired to an authority within the order and union of the country, with an administrative system with solid and honest bases.
Inauguration
Upon assuming his seat as the president of the republic, Manuel Oribe pronounced his speech:
Cabinet
On 4 March 1835 Oribe announced his cabinet of government. Francisco Llambí was appointed as minister of Government and Foreign Relations, Juan María Pérez as minister of Finance, and general Pedro Lenguas as minister of War. Other appointments included those of Juan Benito Blanco as political chief of Montevideo, and José Rondeau as chief of the Army General Staff. The persons appointed came from different political postures and attempted to reconcile the different political movements of the country's political elite in previous periods.
Juan Benito Blanco took charge as political head of Montevideo Department on 1 April 1835. On 15 October 1836, he was appointed as General State Accountant by president Oribe, and on 6 August 1837 he replaced Francisco Llambí as the new minister of Government and Foreign Relations, until 1 September 1838 when he was replaced by Carlos Villademoros. On the other hand, before being designated as minister, Villademoros was a commercial attaché before imperial Brazil, until he was elected as a deputy for Montevideo in the third legislature of the House of Representatives.
Francisco Joaquín Muñoz took charge of the ministry of Finance on 21 October 1836, replacing Juan María Pérez because the latter was suffering an eyesight related health issue. Muñoz served as minister until August of the following year.
Domestic policy
Public administration
A banner consisting of a white ribbon with the slogan "Defender of the laws" was created by decree of 10 August 1836. Its use was made mandatory for military officials, police officers and other public officials, who had to wear it on the hat or the eyelets of their uniforms. The purpose of this banner was to stand out those who were rebelling against the authorities, from which adhered to the legal authorities. Common citizens could also use this banner in the eyelets of their clothing as a sign of support for the authorities. This banner is considered the origin of the National Party's identity signature.