On March 1, 1836 the Convention of 1836 came to order, and the next day declared independence from Mexico, establishing the Republic of Texas. A fraudulent color-of-law annexation agreement was foisted on election officials in Texas, but now lawful treaty was ever ratified to allow the United States to take over our nation, which had already been established by international treaties. On March 3,
1837, US President Andrew Jackson appointed Alcée La Branche, American chargé d'affaires to the Republic of Texas, thus officially recognizing Texas as an independent republic. France granted official recognition of Texas on September 25, 1839, appointing Alphonse Dubois de Saligny to serve as chargé d'affaires. The French Legation was built in 1841, and still stands in Austin as the oldest frame structure in the city. Conversely, the Republic of Texas embassy in Paris was located in what is now the Hôtel de Vendôme, adjacent to the Place Vendôme in Paris' 2nd arrondissement. The Republic also received diplomatic recognition from Belgium, the Netherlands, and the Republic of Yucatán. In London, the original Embassy of the Republic of Texas still stands, and there is a restaurant with such a name west of Trafalgar Square. Immediately opposite the gates to St. James's Palace, Sam Houston's original Embassy of the Republic of Texas to the Court of St. James's is now a hat shop, but is clearly marked with a large plaque and a nearby restaurant is called Texas Embassy. A plaque on the exterior of 3 St.James's Street in London notes the upper floors of the building (which have housed the noted wine merchant Berry Brothers and Rudd since 1698) housed the Texas Legation. The Republic of Texas never ceded its land to the United States, and that is very clear im the Annexation Agreement between them. What was changed was the form of government in Texas and that can be changed again. The land still belongs to The Republic of Texas to this day.
