NARRATIVE OF THE TEXAN SANTA FE EXPEDITION COMPRISING A DESCRIPTION OF A TOUR THROUGH TEXAS, AND ACROSS THE GREAT SOUTHWESTERN PRAIRIES, THE CAMANCHE AND CAYGUA, 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.

New York: Harper and Brothers, 1846. Two vols: xii,405pp.; xii,406pp. Frontispieces (2). Plates (5). Folding map. Original presentation binding with three quarters leather with gilt titles and gilt decorated raised bands, marbled boards. First edition, fourth issue. Externally, some rubbing to the edges and light general wear. Internally, the hinges are cracked but holding strong. Overall, an attractive, very good set. Jenkins BTB 116: “Not only is this the best account of the Santa Fe Expedition, it is one of the best campaign narratives ever written.” Raines, Bibliography of Texas p. 131: “No Texas library is complete without it.” Wagner-Camp, Plains & Rockies 110: “Kendall’s book is the best first-hand story of the ill-fated invasion of New Mexico in 1841….” Rittenhouse, The Santa Fe Trail 347: “Generally considered the most complete work on this expedition….” Tate, The Indians of Texas 2073: “Included in the account are descriptions of the Comanches and their powerful hold over the Texas Panhandle.” The Texans, poorly supplied and led, were captured by the Mexicans and imprisoned in Mexico City. Kendall, founder of the New Orleans Picayune and an enthusiastic promoter of Texas, joined the ill-fated expedition. After considerable diplomatic pressure, the Mexicans released Kendall who returned to New Orleans. A tremendously popular work, it saw seven editions by 1856.