An account of the Texan Santa Fé Expedition

KENDALL, George Wilkins.

Narrative of the Texan Santa Fé Expedition, Comprising a Description of a Tour through Texas, and across the Great Southwestern Prairies, the Camanche and Caygüa Hunting-Grounds, with an Account of the Sufferings from Want of Food, Losses from Hostile Indians, and Final Capture of the Texans. And Their March, as Prisoners, to the City of Mexico. With illustrations and a map.
London: Wiley & Putnam, 1844, first English edition (same year as the American first edtion). 2 vols, 8vo, later full calf gilt library binding, marbled edges; Vol 1, pp. xii + 13-405, steel-engraved frontis. & folding map; Vol 2, pp. xii + 11-406, steel-engraved frontis. & two plates.

Map trimmed for binding as usual; shelf labels on front pastedowns.

George Wikins Kendall (1809-67), a Texan sheepman and journalist, joined this attempt to extend the borders of Texas into New Mexico. In 1841 a caravan of 300 men and 21 ox carts of merchandise set off from Kenney's Fort towards Santa Fé. Badly organised and badly led, the expedition surrendered to Mexican forces near Santa Fé, from where they were force-marched to Mexico City then Vera Cruz. After their release was negotiated, the survivors boarded ships to New Orleans in late 1842.
The illustrations are those used in the American edition. The map, which was drawn and engraved by W. Kemble, is 'Texas and Part of Mexico & the United States, showing the Route of the First Santa Fé Expedition'. It is one of the few maps of the Republic. The plates are 'A Scamper Among the Buffalo'; 'Puente Nacional, or National Bridge'; 'City of Guanajuato'; and 'Mexican Girls. Costume of the Poblanas'.
Both volumes have the emblem of the ‘Society of the Writers to the Signet' in gilt on each board. Now a private society of Scottish solicitors, the Society were originally ‘writers’ (i.e. solicitors) entitled to supervise use of the King's Signet, the private seal of the early Scottish monarchs.


Stock ID : 23853