Answer: William Becknell and General Thomas James
Introduction:
By September, 1821, the Revolution in Mexico against the Spanish rule had succeeded, Mexico was a free country and could trade with whomever they pleased and Americans were now welcome in New Mexico.
Explanation:
The William Becknell party arrived in Santa Fe followed by the General Thomas James / John McKnight expedition, only two weeks after.
William Becknell escaped the financial depression Missouri was facing, he saw Santa Fe as a new opportunity to trade his goods. Becknell followed a new route in 1822 and became famous as the Santa Fe Trail.
General Thomas James arrived to Santa Fe with John McKnight in an expedition that served two purposes, General Thomas James's purpose was to trade with the Indians while John McKnight was looking for his brother Robert McKnight who had been held prisoner by the Spanish.