From the Annals of the Empresarios –  In 1821, New Spain awarded Moses Austin of Missouri a grant to settle 300 families in Texas.  Although Anglos had previously travelled to and settled in Texas, this agreement began the process of Anglo-American colonization of Texas.   Moses Austin never acted on the grant as he passed away after his initial success in obtaining permission.  The task fell to his son Stephen F. Austin who  was recognized as his successor. The success of the Mexican War for Independence put the grant at risk. But  a special decree issued in April 1823 allowed the younger Austin to begin the colonization that resulted in 300 families settling in Austin’s Colony near San Felipe.

Photo of Moses Austin statue from tshaonline.org