Through the whole account shines the far-sightedness, honesty, and devotion of early Texas leaders. By their efforts we enjoy much that would not otherwise be ours, not the least of which are our two great educational funds, the Permanent School Fund and the Permanent University Fund. Does it not seem proper that we treat the educational future of our young people with at least as much respect as our ancestors? We should continue to help these educational funds grow as much as possible now while resources still exist on which to build them. Otherwise we run the future risk of emaciated funds and no resources with which to develop them further. Section III of this booklet lists items of interest which may be found in the General Land Office. We extend you a personal invitation to visit the Land Office to see these historical treasures of Texas and the other files which, collectively, spell out in detail the story of Texas land. [Illustration: signature] BILL ALLCORN Commissioner General Land Office Austin, April 10, 1958 TABLE OF CONTENTS Page PREFACE vii I. HISTORY OF TEXAS LAND 1 II. DISPOSITION OF TEXAS LAND 8 III. ITEMS OF INTEREST TO BE FOUND IN THE GENERAL LAND OFFICE 17 APPENDIX 19 Table A.: DISPOSITION OF THE PUBLIC DOMAIN OF TEXAS UNDER THE REPUBLIC AND THE STATE. Table B.: MINERAL ESTATE, LEASED MINERAL ESTATE, PRODUCING ACREAGE, ANNUAL ROYALTY. PICTURES OLD GENERAL LAND OFFICE BUILDING iii PRESENT GENERAL LAND OFFICE BUILDING v I. HISTORY OF TEXAS LAND When Christopher Columbus stepped ashore in the West Indies in October, 1492, he drew the curtain to an immense area of land, some fertile and some desert—land of all types and for all purposes. So vast was this discovery that land-conscious European powers who sponsored New World exploration were soon giving away large areas with a surprising disregard for their value. However, when rival powers disputed their claims to specific territories in the New World, they were quick to argue. The effect was that nations which matured in the Western Hemisphere grew up with a high regard for land.