Jan McCutcheon
English 48B
Journal for Maria Amparo Ruiz de Burton



Author Quote: “It ought to have been said, ‘An act to unsettle land titles, and to upset the rights of the Spanish population of the State of California” (Norton 93).

Internet Quote: Ruiz de Burton's work is considered to be a precursor toChicano literature, giving the perspective of the conquered Mexican population that, despite being granted full rights of citizenship by theTreaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, was a subordinated and marginalized national minority. The Squatter and the Don is Ruiz de Burton's most famous literary piece. It was published anonymously under the pen name "C. Loyal," an abbreviated form of "Ciudadano Leal," or "Loyal Citizen," a conventional method of closing official letters in nineteenth century Mexico. She used this name to symbolize her Mexican loyalties, to provide indeterminacy of her gender, and to criticize the American political system (wikipedia).


Summary: When the Land Act of 1851 is passed, all the private land titles in California become unsettled. In the short story “The Squatter and the Don,” Maria Amparo Ruiz de Burton describes a scene where the Don (the Spanish land owner) meets with the “squatters,” (Americans who lay claim to his land) and their negotiations to try to come up with a peaceful agreement where both groups might prosper.

Response: I thought the story was interesting from today’s perspective where most of the US farm land is used to grow corn and soy while cows are sequestered in terrible factory farms. The Don tries to come up with a reasonable agreement with the squatters but they seem determined to fence the land and get rid of his cattle. He makes a good argument that their crops might fail (and later require farm subsidies) and that the land is more suited to raising vineyards, fruits and cattle. The new comers do not take his advice because they are determined to make “San Diego County a grain-producing county” (Norton 96). The Don has a lot of ideas based on his experience living there, although his ideas are long term and require investment of time and money, which he offers to lend them, interest free. He seems to be willing to meet them halfway. The he squatters are suspicious of his offers and fear being in debt to him, so did not seem to be inclined to accept his offer, even if they might make more money in the long run with the Don’s offer. To me this sums up relations between Mexico and America now. America is more inclined to do things to make money and take advantage of the Mexican immigrants. We want their cheap labor but do not want to offer them opportunities like education or citizenship.