Upon his assumption to office, Velasco charged all ministerial portfolios to Manuel María Urcullu, minister of the Supreme Court of Justice, as minister general pending the formation of a proper ministerial cabinet. A full council of ministers was appointed on 27 March 1839, 33 days into his mandate, composed of three ministers. The Political Constitution of 1839 expanded the number of ministerial posts to four with the introduction of the Ministry of Public Instruction. At the same time, the new constitution abolished the office of the vice president, a fact which remained the case until 1878.[16]
Two future presidents, José María Linares (1857–1861) and Tomás Frías (1872–1873; 1874–1876) were members of this cabinet. A third, José Ballivián (1841–1847), was appointed but never took office, having rebelled against the government.
^ abcd"Constitución Política de 1839". Gaceta Oficial del Estado Plurinacional de Bolivia (in Spanish). 26 October 1839. Archived from the original on 25 October 2021. Retrieved 25 October 2021.
^"Ley de 14 de agosto de 1840". Gaceta Oficial del Estado Plurinacional de Bolivia (in Spanish). 14 August 1840. Archived from the original on 25 October 2021. Retrieved 25 October 2021.