Question

Which two men made it to Santa Fe within weeks of each other and started trading with that settlement in 1821?


William Becknell

George Sibley

Nathaniel Pryor

Thomas James

Jean Pierre Chouteau

Answer 1

It was William Becknell and Thomas James who reached Santa Fe within weeks of each other.  

William Becknell reached first on November 16, 1821 while Thomas James reached Santa Fe on December 1. Though both were traders, William Becknell was trying to get away from his debtors from whom he had taken loan and never repaid. Thomas James was on the lookout for market for his textile business.