CAAMANO, Jose M. Placido, president of Ecuador, born in Guayaquil, 5 October, 1838. He began the study of law and theology in the seminary of his native City, and was educated in Quito. Subsequently he was mayor of Guayaquil, and chief of the custom-house service. Having conspired against the dictator-general, Veintimilla, he was banished in 1882, went to Lima, organized a revolutionary expedition with which he left Callao on 14 April, 1883, and landed in Ecuadorian territory three days afterward. He organized a division and joined the forces that were besieging Guayaquil about the middle of May. The place was taken by storm by the combined forces under Caamafio, Sarasti, Alfaro, and Salazar. A provisional government was appointed until the national convention could meet, and on 11 October he was elected president ad interim, and finally proclaimed president of the republic on 17 February, 1884. He is the leader of the conservative party; but even his political opponents gave him their votes to his election. On 6 February, 1886, an attempt was made to assassinate him, and he narrowly escaped death by throwing himself into a river. Under his administration telegraphs, railways, an institute of sciences, several Colleges, and many new schools have been added to the resources of Ecuador.