Stephen Watts Kearny ( ; surname also appears as Kearney in some historic sources; August 30, 1794October 31, 1848), was one of the foremost antebellum frontier officers of the United States Army. He is remembered for his significant contributions in the Mexican–American War, especially the conquest of California. The Kearny code, which was proclaimed on September 22, 1846 in Santa Fe established the law and government of the newly acquired territory of New Mexico, was named after him.