What significant change occurred in 1840 regarding mineral rights in Texas?

In 1840, a notable change regarding mineral rights in Texas was the adoption of English law, which influenced property rights, including mineral rights, in the region. This shift marked a departure from previous legal frameworks and established a more structured system for the ownership and management of land and its resources.

Under English common law, a key principle is that landowners have rights to the resources found beneath the surface of their property, including minerals. This was significant in guiding land and mineral ownership in Texas as it moved toward recognizing individual ownership rights rather than communal or government ownership.

The other options do not reflect the correct historical context. For instance, the idea that all minerals became public property does not align with the adoption of English common law, which typically emphasizes private ownership. Similarly, while Spanish law may have influenced earlier land agreements in Texas, its full reinstatement did not occur at this time. Lastly, the reservation of minerals for private ownership contrasts with the shift towards a more systematic approach under English law, which recognized and protected those rights for landowners.