Land has always been an important subject in Texas. In colonial times there was no gold or silver, no rich cities or advanced civilizations to lure Europeans and Americans to Texas. They went for land. When Texas won her independence from Mexico in 1836, she had only one source of wealth - 216 million acres of public lands. Thomas Lloyd Miller traces the history of those lands from 1519 to modern times. He gives a complete account of the acquisition and disposition of the lands; explains what has been done about minerals, ...
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Land has always been an important subject in Texas. In colonial times there was no gold or silver, no rich cities or advanced civilizations to lure Europeans and Americans to Texas. They went for land. When Texas won her independence from Mexico in 1836, she had only one source of wealth - 216 million acres of public lands. Thomas Lloyd Miller traces the history of those lands from 1519 to modern times. He gives a complete account of the acquisition and disposition of the lands; explains what has been done about minerals, timber, and oil; and discusses the work of the Texas Land Office and its commissioners. Using documentary sources, he examines the conditions of Texas lands from Spanish grants to the present conflict over tidewater lands and offshore sunken treasure. Much of his material is made known for this first time. This volume covers all important legislation relating to the public lands - lands for settlers, for soldiers, for internal improvements, for schools - as well as the administration of laws related to rights to timber and minerals. Into the story is woven fraud, carelessness, and sometimes unwise decisions, but there is also to be found much wisdom on the part of dedicated statesmen and commissioners. Included are tables showing receipts from Texas lands from 1835 through 1970, along with other tables of land grants to improve water transportation and grants for irrigation canals and ditches. This account, with its useful maps and interesting illustrations, is a valuable and indispensable tool for the student of the legal and social history of Texas and an informative source for the general reader. It is a unique history of self-government in the disposition of the public domain, not equaled anywhere else in America or, indeed, in history.
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Add this copy of The Public Lands of Texas, 1519-1970 to cart. $18.00, very good condition, Sold by River House Books rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from San Antonio, TX, UNITED STATES, published 1972 by University of Oklahoma Press.
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Seller's Description:
Very Good in Very Good jacket. Hardcover Cloth 341 pages. Condition Very Good Dust Jacket Very Good. Stated first edition 1972. Nice tan boards and gilt embossing shows off this Clean, tight, square copy with no marks, highlights or bookplates. Book Well kept and carefully stored in unread condition. Slight shelf wear. Edges have the usual yellowing and spotting. An unclipped dust jacket protected by mylar cover with slight shelf wear-a few wrinkles and chips. Not an ex-library, book club or remainder copy. Thomas Lloyd Miller's comprehensive work, The Public Lands of Texas, 1519-1970, traces the history of Texas lands from their earliest recorded ownership in 1519 to modern times. The book provides a thorough account of land acquisition and disposition, covering topics such as minerals, timber, and oil. Additionally, Miller sheds light on the role of the Texas Land Office and its commissioners in managing these valuable resources. The acquisition and distribution of public lands in Texas have shaped the state's development over centuries. Miller meticulously examines the processes by which land changed hands, from Spanish colonial grants to the present day. His narrative encompasses the challenges faced by early settlers, the impact of land policies on communities, and the legal frameworks governing land ownership. By delving into the complexities of land management, Miller reveals the intricate tapestry of Texas history. Minerals, timber, and oil have played pivotal roles in Texas's economic growth. Miller explores how these natural resources were exploited, regulated, and sometimes mismanaged. From the oil boom days to sustainable forestry practices, he highlights the dynamic interplay between land use and economic prosperity. The Texas Land Office, entrusted with overseeing public lands, emerges as a central institution in this saga. Through Miller's lens, readers gain insight into the individuals who shaped land policy and the challenges they faced in balancing private interests with the public good.
Add this copy of The Public Lands of Texas, 1519-1970 to cart. $19.70, good condition, Sold by BookHouse On-Line rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Minneapolis, MN, UNITED STATES, published 1972 by University of Oklahoma Press.
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Seller's Description:
Very Good- Size: 9x6x1; PAPERBACK in very good-condition. University of Oklahoma Press, 1972. Spine is uncreased, binding tight and sturdy; text also very good. Moderate wear, last few pages have a hole in them near the top edge. Ships same or next business day from Dinkytown in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Add this copy of The Public Lands of Texas, 1519-1970 to cart. $74.50, good condition, Sold by Bonita rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Newport Coast, CA, UNITED STATES, published 1972 by University of Oklahoma Press.