Final answer:
Stephen F. Austin's settlers in Texas were selected for their hardworking nature, self-sufficiency, loyalty to Mexico, and agricultural experience. The American settlers differed from the Tejanos, primarily in being slave owners and not practicing Roman Catholicism, leading to tensions with the Mexican government.
Step-by-step explanation:
Stephen F. Austin selected his settlers with great caution, looking for individuals who embodied certain characteristics. He sought settlers who were hardworking and self-sufficient, able to adapt to the challenging new environment of Texas. Loyalty to the Mexican government was crucial, as was experience in farming and agriculture, which would be essential for the success of the colony.
American settlers, often from slave states, were attracted to Texas by the opportunity to expand slavery and the cotton industry, facilitated by Mexico's generous land terms. This American population had distinct differences compared to the Tejanos, the original Mexican inhabitants of the region. Among these, they were mostly slave owners and religiously distinct, as Roman Catholicism was not widely practiced among them. These differences fostered cultural, political, and economic tensions between the American settlers and the Mexican government.