What allowed settlers to establish a colony in Texas?

Answer 1

Basically, the land was unsettled. Indians roamed. Very few Spanish missions had been established. Mexicans were not migrating to the new territory. France withdrew all claims. The Spanish were afraid the US would "conquer" the new territory, so the Spanish as a last resort gave land grants to a few people to colonize and occupy the areas, mainly in the hope they could establish a working government and control. Settlers came because of free land (but they did not become "Mexican" in language, religion (Catholic), and politics. (They were inclined to be independent and democratic). So it didn't work out well for the government of Mexico.