José María Vásquez de Novoa
José María Vásquez de Novoa López de Artigas was a Chilean lawyer and politician.
A close associate of Ramón Freire, he served as Minister of War and Navy from 1825 to 1826 and held several parliamentary offices, including the presidencies of the Chamber of Deputies of Chile and the Senate of Chile.
Education
Vásquez de Novoa was the son of Vicente Vásquez de Novoa Rey and Felisa López de Artigas. He qualified as a lawyer in 1824 and married Dolores Arteaga, with whom he had children. His parliamentary biography does not identify the institution where he studied.
Political career
A supporter and adviser of Ramón Freire, Vásquez de Novoa maintained connections with political leaders in Peru. In 1824, he became involved in a conspiracy there before travelling to Ecuador, where he participated in the country's independence movement. Returning to Chile in October 1825, he was appointed Minister of War and Navy, serving under Freire until July 1826. He also joined the Directorial Council in November 1825.
Vásquez de Novoa entered Congress as a substitute deputy for Concepción in 1825, serving as vice president of the Chamber of Deputies from 23 March to 22 April. He subsequently represented Concepción in the Constituent Congress of 1826–1827, replacing Isidro Pineda, and served as senator for Maule from November 1827.
In 1828, he represented Cauquenes in the General Constituent Congress and served as president of the Chamber of Deputies from 26 March to 25 April. He also participated in drafting and signing the Constitution of 1828. Later that year, he was elected senator for Cauquenes and presided over the Senate from 3 November to 1 December.
In 1829, Vásquez de Novoa represented Valdivia in the Senate, having chosen that constituency over Chiloé. He served as provisional president of the Senate from 1 August to 4 September and as its vice president from 20 October. His parliamentary activities included participation in committees concerned with constitutional affairs, finance and legislation.
Following Freire's removal from power, Vásquez de Novoa became involved in an unsuccessful attempt to restore him to government and was subsequently exiled to Peru.