Trading in Santa Fe

The volume and value of the goods shipped over the Santa Fe Trail reached new heights during the 1850s, and yet, until now, those years have yielded scant information about the commerce of the prairies. Kingsbury's letters shed new light on this neglected period, revealing much about the operations of rival firms and the business climate of the southwestern frontier in general. As he placed orders and charted cash flows, Kingsbury sent Webb colorful gossip about New Mexico politics and politicians.