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Thomas Lloyd Miller : The Public Lands of Texas 1519-1970

University of Oklahoma Press, Norman, Oklahoma, 1972

ISBN 0806109726

8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall. L3 - A first edition (stated) hardcover book in good condition in poor dust jacket. Dust jacket has wrinkling, chipping, crease, and tears on the edges, corners and sides, 3" tear on the back top left side, some label and label residue, scattered rubbing, scratches, scuffing, stains, and foxing, soiled on the front, spine and some sides and edges, discoloration and shelf wear. Book has some bumped corners, wrinkling on the spine edges, soiled on the front and spine, scatttered light foxing and stains on the page edges, lightly moisture soiled, light tanning and shelf wear. Foreword by Ralph W. Yarborough. 9.25"x6", 341 pages. Satisfaction Guaranteed. Land has always been an important subject in Texas. In colonial times there was no gold or silver, no rich cities or advances 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 the 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 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.. Book Condition: Good. Binding: Hardcover. Jacket: Poor

First Edition

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