Why was stephen austin able to establish a colony in mexican territory? a. the mexican government gave him a land grant. b. he claimed the land for himself. c. the u. s. government gave him an exemption. d. the local farmers were generous. what drew stephen austin to this geographical area? a. the rio grande river b. affordable, fertile land c. proximity to new orleans d. access to the gulf of mexico what was the reaction of the tejanos when the texans rebelled? a. they sided with the mexican government. b. they tried to stay neutral. c. they tried to establish a compromise. d. they sided with the texas settlers.