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American colonies to collect information “especially in con- 
nection with their present and prospective relations, com- 
mercial and political, with the United States’’.^ Tho there 
was some correspondence in regard to a reciprocity treaty, 
the Taylor administration declined to agree to any such treaty 
which did not include the navigation of the St. Lawrence also.® 
As the quasi-national union between the United States and 
Canada was growing closer, many believed that the majority 
in Canada desired annexation® to England’s growing rival, 
who was already seeking the control of the Asiatic trade, 
and who might easily control all North America by the con- 
struction of Whitney’s proposed railroad across the continent 
and the termination of English colonial government in Can- 
ada. Englishmen interested in checking and diverting the 
trend of events urged that the construction of Whitney’s 
proposed road would result in the inevitable loss of Canada, 
who “in her present condition could never resist the tempta- 
tion of such a source of prosperity”. The scheme of Captain 
Wilson for the construction of a continental road across Can- 
ada was urged as the only remedy that would relieve the 
distress of Great Britain and Canada." Many people of Can- 
ada, discontented with their form of government, continued 
the agitation in favor of closer relations Vv^ith the United 
States, and English statesmen seemed to consider that the 
Canadas by their own consent and wish would ultimately be 
annexed to the United States.® 
The condition of affairs in Europe early in 1854 made Great 
Britain immediately anxious to avoid difficulty with the United 
States and Canada. She realized that Canada was a hostage 
by which the United States could command her own security.® 
Seward saw an opportunity to get Canada as a counterpoise 
to Cuba.^® On March 3, John Mitchel, the Irish agitator who 
had recently arrived in the United States, issued a proclama- 
^ I. D. Andrews, Reciprocity and Fisheries Treaty (Washington, 1862). 
® James D. Richardson, Messages and Papers of the Presidents, V, 44. (Taylor’s 
message to the House, May 7, 1850.) 
^ North American Review, LXXIV (January, 1852) ; De Bow’s Review, October, 1852, 
F. A. Wilson and Alfred B. Richardson, Britain Redeemed and Canada Preserved 
(London, 1850). 
^ Congressional Globe, 3.2-2, Appendix, January, 1853 ; North American Revietv, 
LXXIX (October, 1854). 
® Marcy to Andrews, April 15, 1854, Special Missions, III, 36. 
In the debates on the Kansas-Nebraska Bill, Seward contemplated the future 
acquisition of Alaska and Canada by purchase. (Also see his speech at Yale College, 
July, 1854.) 
