What was another method through which title was passed to the settlers?

The method of passing title to settlers through purchase via formal treaties is significant because it reflects the legal and diplomatic processes that were employed to establish land ownership in many contexts, particularly in North America. This method often involved formal agreements between governments or tribes, where the land would be ceded to settlers or a governing body in exchange for compensation or other considerations.

Formal treaties not only provided a legitimate means of transferring land but also recognized the rights of the original inhabitants, establishing a documented basis for the settlers’ claims to the land. This method was foundational in developing legal frameworks around land ownership, enabling subsequent generations to understand and prove their land rights.

In contrast, the other methods mentioned did not possess the same legal stature or recognition. Claiming land through discovery lacks a formal basis and often led to disputes. Inheritance from previous settlers does not apply universally, as not every settler would have had an inheritance to receive. The concept of divine right from monarchy is historically relevant but pertains to a different system of governance and land title that is not directly tied to the practices seen in settler land acquisition. Thus, the correct answer emphasizes the importance of formalized agreements in land title transfer, which helped create order and legitimacy in the settlement process.