[MARTIAL MONK]

When the Americans occupied Santa Fe, one of the first things they did was drag out the old Spanish records and burn them. Centuries of intricately documented claims were lost. There were also many common law claims because farmers would follow the canals and extend them without patenting the surrounding land. Whites stole much of this developed land simply by filing deeds. The uneducated Mexicans lost thousands of claims.

Lost were claims for grazing rights as far west as the San Francisco Mountains in Arizona and deep into Texaz.

[Quix]

I acquired decades ago, a land grant deed and some associated documents to such a chunk of land. I don't recall where it was.

I think I eventually sent it to a library in California which specialized in such things. It was an interesting, kind of beautiful bit of history.

Thanks for your kind replies.

[Doctor Stochastic]

To paraphras Luis Chama (in "Joe Kidd"): "There was a fire."