Down The Santa Fe Trail And Into Mexico, The Diary Of Susan Shelby Magoffin 1846-1847

MAGOFFIN, SUSAN SHELBY [EDITED BY STELLA M. DRUMM]

Publication: Yale University Press, 1926, New Haven

First edition. 8vo. Cloth, xxv [3], 294 pp., frontispiece, introduction, illustrated by 6 plates, folding map, appendix, bibliography, index. As a young bride, Susan accompanied her trader husband, Samuel Magoffin, over the Santa Fe Trail during the early days of the Mexican War. A detailed journal, her descriptions of travel over "the trail" are outstanding, but of greatest importance is the unique insight into conditions in Santa Fe after the start of the Mexican War, yet before Gen. Kearny and the U.S. Army had invaded. Samuel's brother, James Magoffin, who accompanied this trading caravan, was under instructions from the U.S. Government to use his considerable influence in Santa Fe to pave the way for a "bloodless" conquest by Kearny's army. His efforts proved successful in Santa Fe, but when the trading caravan continued on to Chihuahua, with the same objective in mind, James was arrested as a spy and narrowly escaped execution. Susan Magoffin's record of these events is invaluable. She was the first woman to write a major book about New Mexico. "One of the great Santa Fe diaries."--Colton Storm. Date written neatly by previous owner in upper corner of rear free-endpaper, else a fine, bright copy. Dust jacket shows occasional light wear to edges and some very slight chipping to top edge of spine.

Inventory Number: 51627