José María Rojas Garrido was a Colombian Senator, and statesmen, who as the first Presidential Designate became Acting President of the United States of Colombia in 1866 during the absence of President elect Tomás Cipriano de Mosquera. He was a prominent journalist for several Liberal Party newspapers, and is considered one of the most important orators in Colombia's history.
[From the Diario Oficial No. 657, June 5, 1866.—Translation.] Message of the Citizen President of the Union. EXECUTIVE POWER OF THE UNION. Citizen Senators and Representatives: It is now ten…