text:  When a very young man I found myself one fine morning possessor of a Texas land-scrip--that is to say a certificate of the Galveston Bay and Texas Land Company in which it was stated that in consideration of the sum of one thousand dollars duly paid and delivered by Mr Edward Rivers into the hands of the cashier of the aforesaid company he the said Edward Rivers was become entitled to ten thousand acres of Texian land to be selected by himself or those he should appoint under the sole condition of not infringing on the property or rights of the holders of previously given certificates