CAPTAIN BECKNELL. 21 



prise, among whom was a merchant of Ohio, 

 named Glenn, who, at tlie time, had an In- 

 dian traduig-house near the mouth of the 

 Verdigris river. Having taken the circnitous 

 route up the Arkansas towards the mountains, 

 tills pioneer trader encountered a great deal 

 of trouble and privation, but eventually reach- 

 ed Santa Fe ^vith his little caravan, before the 

 close of 1821j in perfect safety. 



Durui^ the same year, Captain Becknell, 

 of JVIissoim, with four trusty companions, 

 went out to Santa Fe by the far western 

 prabrie route. This intrepid httle band started 

 from the \icinity of Franldin, ^\ith tlie origi- 

 nal purpose of trading with the latan or Co- 

 manche Indians ; but having fallen in acci- 

 dentally with a party of Mexican rangers, 

 when near the Momitains, they were easily 

 prevailed upon to accompany tliem to the 

 new emporium, where, notwithstanding the 

 trifling amount of merchandise they were 

 possessed of, they reahzed a very handsome 

 profit. The fact is, that up to this date New 

 Mexico had derived all her supphes from 

 the Internal Provinces by the way of Vera 

 Cmz ; but at such exorbitant rates, that com- 

 mon cahcoes, and even bleached and brown 

 domestic goods, sold as liigh as two and tlu-ee 

 dollars per vara (or Spanish yard of tliirty 



tln-ee inches). Becknell returned to the 



United States alone the succeedinor winter 



leaving the rest of his company at Santa F 



The favorable reports brought by the enter- 

 prising Captain, stimulated otliers to embark 



