AMERICO-CANADIAN RELATIONS CONCERN- 
ING ANNEXATION, 1846-1871 
The quarter-century between the Oregon Treaty and the 
Treaty of Washington was an interesting one in the evolu- 
tion of American and Canadian national policies, especially 
concerning the problem of the destiny of the great Canadian 
Northwest, which was so largely affected by the results of the 
American westward movement and by the adjustment of in- 
ternational controversies arising in the American Civil War. 
Almost twenty years before the transfer of Alaska, which 
marked the climax of Russo-American cordiality, England had 
contemplated the possible realization of America’s youthful 
dreams for the annexation of Canada. Altho the storm center 
of American foreign relations for several years after the 
acquisition of California was largely determined by condi- 
tions beyond the southern borders where the southern states- 
men who controlled the policies of the government sought 
new acquisitions and extending spheres of influence, British 
writers and statesmen saw that the American expansion spirit 
might turn northward and that the continued tenure of Eng- 
land in Canada was by no means certain. Peel’s free-trade 
policy had a disastrous effect on the trade of the colonies and 
compelled them to seek new markets and more liberal inter- 
course on the American continent.^ In March, 1849, Lord 
Elgin, governor-general of Canada, wrote that unless Eng- 
land should allow Canada reciprocal trade relations (and free 
navigation) with the United States, or should impose a duty 
on the products of the United States, the end of colonial rule 
in North America might be near.^ As left by the free trade 
measures of England, the interests of Canada seemed to be 
annexation to the United States." The American government 
was alert in keeping touch with the situation. On July 6, 
1849, after the Montreal riot. Secretary Clayton instructed 
I. D. Andrews to go as special agent to visit the British North 
^Sydney Webster, Canadian Reciprocity Treaty (New York, 1892). 
- T. Walrond, Letters and Journals of Lord Elgin (London, 1872). 
® Israel Buchanan, Relations of the Industry of Canada xvith the Mother Country 
(Montreal, 1864). 
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