Very Rare Map of the Early Texas Land Grants, circa 1836This map of the earliest settlements in Texas was issued in 1836, the first year of Texas Independence. Drawn by E. F. Lee and published as part of David B. Edwards The History of Texas, or the Emigrants Farmers and Politicians Guide, the map contains excellent detail of the first land grants. To encourage development, the Mexican government licensed promoters, called empresarios, to attract settlers to Texas. Each empresario was given a specific area