Who was bernarda ruiz?

Answer 1

Bernarda Ruiz was a Californio women who helped convince john c Fremont to not punish the Californios for fighting in the Mexican American war. She wanted peace and end the Mexican against Spanish wars. Stashed away under a Santa Barbara house, in a long-forgotten chest covered with almost a century's worth of dirt and dust, a curious woman with deep California roots unearthed a rare book. It was California's first schoolbook, "Tablas Para los Ninos," published

Ruiz Bernarda, (1802-1880)

The historical records confirm the Treaty of Cahuenga in 1847 ended the U.S.-

Mexico War in California stipulating settlement terms, and full civil and property

rights to those residing in the territory under the U.S. occupation. Few records

indicate, however, that the accord was born of conversations between the

American invader, Frémont, and the Californiana, Bernarda Ruiz. Born in a

humble abode in the Santa Barbara Presidio, Ruiz was related to many of

California's most important citizens. Married at fifteen, and widowed as a young

mother with four sons, the family operated an express mail service between

Santa Barbara and Mexico City. Like many Californio families, they had much to

lose in a long, drawn out war with the U.S. When the war broke out in 1846, Ruiz

quietly arranged to meet with Frémont and articulated her ideas for a peaceful

resolution to the invasion. Ruiz arranged a meeting between the American and

Mexican leaders to hammer out the articles of capitulation, and ultimately served

as a witness when the representatives of both nations signed the treaty. Ruiz is recognized today for her initiative and support of property and civil rights.d in 1836 and headed for the auction block this month.