The Biographical Dictionary of America/Alvarado, Jean Bautista

ALVARADO, Jean Bautista, governor of California. He led a revolt against the authority of Mexico. On the death of Governor Figueroa in 1835, an extremely unpopular man named Chico was put in authority by the Mexican government. Public opinion obliged him to surrender his office, and in November, 1836, Alvarado seized Monterey and held that city with a force consisting of native Californians and adventurers from the United States. Independence was declared, a legislature assembled, and Alvarado was elected as governor ad interim. For a time Lower California remained loyal to the Mexican rule, but it was not long before Alvarado, by shrewd diplomacy and by the display of force, won Santa Barbara and Los Angeles to himself. He declared, therefore, in January, 1837, that the whole of California was united, free, and independent. An emissary of the Mexican government was sent to treat with Alvarado, whose diplomacy converted him to the Californian view and he was sent back as a friend of the new government. To end this indeterminate state of affairs, the Mexican government appointed a governor without acquainting Alvarado of its action. Hostilities ensued, an engagement was fought in which one man was killed and the Mexicans were defeated. He was recognized as governor of what was called the "Department of California" by the central government 1840-'2, when he was deposed by the Mexican government. The conquest of California by the United States put an end to all attempts at revolution and ended the career of Alvarado.