USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -In order to build a tax base and encourage settlement in the new Republic of Texas, the government instituted a liberal policy of distributing the public domain to incoming settlers.

Detailed explanation-2: -Stephen Austin’s contract to bring settlers to Texas, June 4, 1825 (Gilder Lehrman Collection) In order to settle Texas in the 1820s, the Mexican government allowed speculators, called empresarios, to acquire large tracts of land if they promised to bring in settlers to populate the region and make it profitable.

Detailed explanation-3: -During the 19th century there were streams of migration into Texas. Between 1821 and 1836 an estimated 38, 000 settlers, on promise of 4, 000 acres (1, 620 hectares) per family for small fees, trekked from the United States into the territory.

Detailed explanation-4: -The history of land ownership in Texas dates to 1540, when Spain made the first formal claim on Texas lands. Coronado made the claim at the town of Ysleta on the Rio Grande. The first Spanish settlers arrived in 1716. It is believed that the first land grant was made in 1731, somewhere near present-day San Antonio.