The Jose Francisco Ruiz Papers: Volume I - Report on the Indian Tribes of Texas in 1828

By Jose Francisco Ruiz

This volume contains Jose Francisco Ruiz' influential "Report on the Indian Tribes in Texas 1828" with an extensive introduction by historian Art Martinez de Vara giving a short biography of Ruiz, his influence on the ethnography of Texas Indians and role in the early Texas history. Jose Francisco Ruiz, (1783 - 1840) is remembered for being one of only two native-born Texans to sign the Texas Declaration of Independence in 1836. His influence on Texas history goes far deeper. Ruiz' Report on the Indian Tribes of Texas in 1828 has been lauded by many historians as the most authentic and insightful contemporary account of early 19th century Texas Indian culture. Ruiz' unique circumstances allowed him many years to live among, trade with, befriend and go to war with the equestrian plains tribes of Texas, including the Tenewah band of Comanches, Lipan Apaches, Arapahoe, Shawnee and the various tribes of the Wichita Confederation. Beginning in 1813, following the Battle of Medina and the re-assertion of royalist control over Texas, Ruiz became a stateless exile in the Neutral Strip in western Louisiana. As both a means of support and continuation of rebellion against Spanish control of Mexico, Ruiz turned to illicit trade with native peoples on the upper Red River valley and West Texas. These trade expeditions allowed Ruiz the time, circumstance and opportunity to understand various native cultures without the negative preconceptions of other observers. Ruiz' Report was written for the Mexican expedition surveying the international border with the United States in 1828 and was used as a primary source by Jean-Louis Berlandier in his seminal works on the Indians of Texas.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0984212132
• ISBN13: 9780984212132
• Release Date: June 2014
• Publisher: Alamo Press, LLC
• Length: 122 Pages
• Weight: 0.56 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 6.0" x 9.0"