Texas
Fiorenzo Galli, Cartographer
Claudio Linati (1790-1832), Lithographer
Mexico, 1826
From the Collections of The Dolph Briscoe Center for American History,
The University of Texas at Austin

This map has the distinction of being the first printed map to depict Texas separately. It was drawn by Fiorenzo Galli and lithographed by his friend, Claudio Linati, who began a publishing business in Mexico in 1825. The Sabine and Red Rivers define Texas’ boundaries to the east and north, the Nueces River to the west, and the Gulf of Mexico to the south. Galli's depiction of the coast has been described as "advanced for the period." Accurate mapping of the coastline and rivers paved the way for maritime trade.

Texas
David H. Burr (1803-1875), Cartographer
S. Stiles & Co., Engraver
J. H. Colton & Co., Publisher
New York, 1834
From the Collections of The Dolph Briscoe Center for American History,
The University of Texas at Austin

This map is of great interest to historians because it documents the population explosion that occurred in Texas between 1830 and 1834. When Stephen F. Austin published his 1830 map of Texas, there were only three empresarioEmpresario: Land agents who received a land grant from Spain or Mexico in return for promoting settlement grants available for colonization. The Mexican government banned further immigration from the United States in the Law of April 6, 1830. Despite this, Burr’s map, first printed in 1833, showed 17 grants—undeniable proof that Americans were heading west. Burr’s map is the first to show land claims in what is today Texas’ panhandle and is considered to be a landmark map.

After gaining its independence from Spain in 1821, Mexico recognized the Nueces River as the southern and western boundary of Texas. Fifteen years later, when the Treaty of VelascoTreaty of Velasco (1836): A treaty signed after the Battle of San Jacinto to end the hostilities between Mexico and Texas and provide for the recognition of the new Republic ended the Texas revolution, Texas recognized the Rio Grande as its southern boundary. Since both the Mexicans and Texans violated the treaty, Mexico did not recognize Texas as a republic or the Rio Grande as its border. When Texas joined the Union in 1846, and the United States claimed the Rio Grande as its border, the result was the Mexican War. Two years later the Americans defeated the Mexicans and the Rio Grande was established as the southern border of Texas.

Map of Texas, Containing the Latest Grants & Discoveries
E. F. Lee, Cartographer
J. A. James & Co., Publisher
Cincinnati, 1836

In 1836, E.F. Lee's Map of Texas was included with David B. Edward's book, The History of Texas, or the Emigrant's, Farmer's, and Politician's Guide. Guides provided settlers with important information that was necessary for successful settlement on the frontier. It was critical to know the condition of land, location of towns and roads, and topography. Land agents, called empresariosEmpresario: Land agents who received a land grant from Spain or Mexico in return for promoting settlement, organized the sale of land by gathering together families who settled near each other in colonies. In addition to information about the land, guide maps often had interesting references to buffalo in the west, wild horses, silver mines to the south, and crystallizing salt lakes along the coast.