Commissioner's Reports

Summary
The Commissioner Reports are a collection of annual and biennial reports summarizing the activities of the General Land Office (1837-2012).
Biographical Note
The Commissioner Reports are a collection of annual and biennial reports summarizing the activities of the General Land Office (1837-2012). As with all government agencies, as the population of the State grew, so did the size and complexity of the Commissioner's Report. Early reports were handwritten correspondence addressed to the President, Senate and House of Representatives of the Republic of Texas. The correspondence style of reporting lasted until 1932, though even to the present the Commissioner writes a brief letter of introduction at the beginning of the Report.

These reports were delivered annually until 1849 when they became biennial. In 1962, the Commissioner's Report reverted back to annual reporting tied to the State's fiscal year (September-August).
Scope and Content
The Commissioner Reports contain printed documents, photocopied documents and photographic reproductions of handwritten documents. The early reports, 1837-1878, are copies taken from the original Commissioner's correspondence and from volumes held by the Texas State Library and Archives Commission. Two bound volumes contain original printed reports for the years 1880-1956. Thereafter to the present consists of original printed reports.
Date
1837-2018
Extent
8.21 Linear feet (10 document boxes, 4 oversized boxes)
Language
English
Arrangement
The Commissioner Reports are arranged chronologically.
Preferred Citation
Commissioner Reports (ADM.CR). Archives and Records Program, Texas General Land Office, Austin.
Access Restrictions
Unrestricted access.
Use Restrictions
Most records created by Texas state agencies are not copyrighted and may be freely used in any way. State records also include materials received by, not created by, state agencies. Copyright remains with the creator. The researcher is responsible for complying with U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17 U.S.C.).

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