ZENTENO, Jose Ignacio, Chilian soldier, born in Santiago in 1785; died there in 1847. Having taken part in the movement for independence, he was forced in 1814, after the defeat of Rancagua, to emigrate to Mendoza, together with other patriots, where, soon after his arrival, he was appointed secretary of the treasury of that province. He formed part of the liberating army, and when General gins was elected supreme director, he appointed Zenteno minister of ' he distinguished himself by his activity. He made the campaigns of 1817 and 1818, taking part in the battles of Cancha Rayada and Maypu. After the latter engagement the government intrusted him with the formation of a naval force, and he laid the foundation of the navy which, under Admiral Cochrane, obtained such glorious results. In 1821, after retiring from the ministry of war, he was appointed political and military governor of Valparaiso, and in 1822 was promoted brigadier. In 1831 he was appointed inspector-general of the army, and from 1833 till 1846 he filled several important offices in the war department, he was also a member of the supreme council of war, the Society of agriculture, and the University of Chili, and was several times elected to congress, serving as vice-president of the chamber of deputies, He was founder and first editor of the " Mercurio" of Valparaiso.