Manuel Micheltorena

José Manuel Micheltorena (1802 – 7 September 1853) was a brigadier general of the Mexican Army, adjutant-general of the same, governor, commandant-general and inspector of the department of Alta California, then within Mexico. Micheltorena was the last non-Californian Mexican governor before Californian native son Pío Pico took office.

Micheltorena received this appointment by the President of Mexico, Antonio López de Santa Anna and served from 30 December 1842, until his ouster in 1845.

Micheltorena was instrumental in the privatisation of California land by rancho land grants. With his loyalties firmly seated in Mexico City, he faced criticism, opposition, and eventually war from the Californios in Alta California.

He led a team of soldiers, that included criminals and other people of mixed ancestry who were derisively referred to by some as cholos, to fight wealthy Mexican landowners challenging governor Micheltorena and the Mexican government. Micheltorena lost to Juan Bautista Alvarado and the Californios in the 1845 Battle of Providencia.