Tejano Patriot

The Revolutionary Life of José Francisco Ruiz, 1783–1840

By: Art Martínez de Vara

Narrated by: Brandon Seale

Art Martínez de Vara’s Tejano Patriot: The Revolutionary Life of José Francisco Ruiz, 1783–1840 is the first full-length biography of this important figure in Texas history.

Best known as one of two Texas-born signers of the Texas Declaration of Independence, Ruiz’s significance extends far beyond that single event. Born in San Antonio de Béxar into an upwardly mobile family, during the war for Mexican independence, Ruiz underwent a dramatic transformation from a conservative royalist to one of the staunchest liberals of his era.

Steeped in the Spanish American liberal tradition, his revolutionary activity included participating in three uprisings, suppressing two others, and enduring extreme personal sacrifice for the liberal republican cause. He was widely respected as an intermediary between Tejanos and American Indians, especially the Comanches. As a diplomat, he negotiated nearly a dozen peace treaties for Spain, Mexico, and the Republic of Texas, and he traveled to the Imperial Court of Mexico as an agent of the Comanches to secure peace on the northern frontier. When Anglo settlers came by the thousands to Texas after 1820, he continued to be a cultural intermediary, forging a friendship with Stephen F. Austin, but he always put the interests of Béxar and his fellow Tejanos first.

Ruiz had a notable career as a military leader, diplomat, revolutionary, educator, attorney, arms dealer, author, ethnographer, politician, Indian agent, Texas ranger, city attorney, and Texas senator. He was a central figure in the saga that shaped Texas from a remote borderland on New Spain’s northern frontier to an independent republic.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2020 Art Martinez de Vara (P)2023 Art Martinez de Vara

Answers the Question: "What is a Tejano?"

Tejanos are Texans of Mexican descent who are culturally and historically linked to the original Spanish-speaking settlers of Texas and northern Mexico, even though their ancestors' allegiance shifted from Spain to Mexico and then to the United States. They are known for their unique culture, which blends Spanish, Mexican, and Anglo-American influences, and they played a significant role in the early history of Texas, including the Texas Revolution.

Tejanos built the first roads, towns, and ranches in Texas, established the first civil governments, and created the first ranching economy. They also played a crucial role in the Texas Revolution, with figures like Juan Seguín leading Tejano cavalry units. Tejano culture is a blend of Spanish, Mexican, and Anglo-American influences and is the foundational base of what we know as "Texas" today.

Many Tejanos today are integrated into both Hispanic and mainstream American cultures. This is Ruiz's story of what happened before that integration and how it came about.

Thank you Mr. Martinez de Vara for telling our story. It's an American Story worth the read.

Brilliant, Balanced Biography of Unsung Texas Hero

Attorney and historian Art Martinez de Vara fills a gap in the scholarly literature with this brilliant biography of José Francisco Ruiz, an early Tejano figure who bridged borders and cultures across the Texas landscape. Prior to this book, Ruiz stood in the shadows of Anglos as the other native-born signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence in 1836 next to his nephew, Jose Antonio Navarro. Vara deftly weaves together many stories from Ruiz's family background in Mexico and migration to Texas during the 18th century with his multifaceted roles as teacher, politician, soldier, diplomat, rancher, and businessman who shaped events on the Texas frontier through the critical revolutionary periods and independence from 1813 to 1836, as much as his many trials and tribulations shaped his own life and those of his family. Vara centers Ruiz's life within the powers to be among Spanish, Tejano, Mexican, Comanche, and Anglo worlds during this era rather than simply a marginal figure caught up in the American westward movement and what would become termed Manifest Destiny. Ruiz had his own Tejano dream that stemmed from a desire to live in freedom, peace, prosperity, and justice with loyalty to his family and homeland. His views paradoxically resonated with Mexican federalism and the Republic of Texas. In effect, he came to represent many Tejanos caught in between what historian Andres Resendez refers to as changing national identities on the frontier. Narrator of this podcast Brandon Seale is to be highly commended for lending his talents to helping Vara bring Ruiz's life and times to a broader audience.

Tejano Perspective

Loved this book. Chock full of information that is written in detail about the life of those often overlooked in history. Gives great details and perspective about a man and his family who had the tenacity, intelligence, and grit to withstand an ever-changing political landscape. Much is not told about those who resided in the region for generations and this book hits the mark in explaining the path a man like Ruiz must take for not only survival but for the legacy of ones family as well as culture. A must read for those living in Texas who want a fuller understanding and perspective beyond just the Alamo.