Jovan Radonjić

The Metropolitan and Jovan were the two head chiefs of Montenegro, one by title, the other according to actual position.[9] Jovan sought to rule Montenegro by himself; he appropriated secular rights for himself, and wanted the Metropolitan to exerice only his spiritual leadership;[10] that the guvernadur was the master of the people and the Metropolitan the master of the church.[11]

The two clashed in international politics: the Metropolitan held to Russia, while Jovan relied on Austria.[10][12] Hence, there were two parties in the land, one "Russophile" and the other "Austrophile", led by the Metropolitan and Jovan, respectively.[10] On the question whether to support Austria or not, the two sides conflicted during the Austro-Turkish War (1787–91) and Russo-Turkish War (1787–92).[13]

During this period, Montenegro was divided into the following districts: Katunska nahija, Riječka nahija, Crmnička nahija, Lješanska nahija and Pješivačka nahija. These were governed by the officials, Jovan Radonjić and the Metropolitan, with the help of 5 serdars, 9 vojvodas and 34 knezes (a synthesis of secular and theocratic government which will cause strife and struggle for supremacy until 1832–1833).[14]

When Kara Mahmud Pasha's large army advanced towards Montenegro, the Montenegrin army of 8,000 was reduced by 3,000 Crmničani, and they were followed by many more surrenders.[15]

When Jovan saw Mahmud Pasha's army across Bjelica, he set his own house on fire and fled to Venetian territory.[16] Mahmud Pasha went to burn down the Njeguši tribe, but the Nikšići asked him to preserve it, because they had trading relations with them.[16] Mahmud Pasha settled the promised war gift; he gave Milić and knez Martinović two flasks filled with Ottoman copper coins, and 10 ducats each for the service they had done for him.[16] Mahmud Pasha then crossed with his army through Paštrovići to return to Scutari.[16] When the Pasha crossed Paštrovići at the Kašćela height near the church, Rade Andrović and his two friends approached and failed to assassinate him.[16]

In July 1788, he sent a letter to Queen Catherine II: "Now all of us, Serb Montenegrins, ask Your Imperial Grace to send Sofronije Jugović to us".[17] This Sofronije Marković (self-styled Jugović), was promised by Jovan the throne of Montenegro; Jovan sought to bring him to the land and replace Petrović, then get rid of him too, securing the rule for himself.[18] He sent another letter in 1789.[17]

Jovan, being the main Austrian supporter in Montenegro, decided to take a trip to Austria.[19] Having faith in Austria, he led a delegation consisting mainly of chieftains from the Crmnica nahija.[19] Beginning to lose his position in Montenegro, he sought to retrieve his reputation with the help of the Austrian court.[19] In the beginning of September 1789, the delegation arrived at Rijeka, then Radonjić and Plamenac crossed over to Trieste, from where they sent a request to Vienna hoping that the delegation would extend their trip to the Austrian capital.[19] Radonjić requested that the Austrian army be sent into Montenegro, which was declined.[19] On Radonjić's re-request, the Austrian Emperor decided to send munition to Montenegro in February 1790, provided that the Montenegrins "come under the wings of the Emperor in war-time, as much as in peace-time, with the Ottoman Empire".[19] Austrian support looked unpromising.[19]

In 1796, Kara Mahmud Pasha, the Pasha of Scutari, was defeated at the Battle of Martinići. Mahmud Pasha later returned and was defeated and killed at the Battle of Krusi on 22 September. Half of the Montenegrin army was led by Metropolitan Petar I, the other by Jovan.[20]

After the victory, Jovan wrote to Vienna and asked to be compensated for his house that he had earlier burnt down. As the Austrians were satisfied with Jovan's efforts, they sent him money and lumber for the repair of the house.

Shortly before his death, Jovan purchased a printing press in Vienna and hired an Austrian to educate the Montenegrins in using it. However, Metropolitan Petar I accused him of bringing an Austrian spy, and charged him of wanting to sell Montenegro to the Austrian Crown. Thus, Jovan gave up on the idea of printing, and sold the press to a merchant in the Bay of Kotor. Several years later, Petar II Petrović-Njegoš brought the same press back to Montenegro.