Juan B. Alvarado

Juan Bautista Valentín Alvarado y Vallejo (February 14, 1809 – July 13, 1882) was a Californio and Governor of Alta California from 1836 to 1842. He was governor during the Revolution of 1836, when the territorial Diputación (Legislature) declared "free and sovereign" independence from Mexico and forced the Mexican commander and entourage to flee. Alvarado also oversaw California's brief rejoining with Mexico as a state.