out the country to
bring the project to fruition, considerable opposition was manifested by
a certain section who favored annexation to the United States. These men
were backed up by American influences, and went so far as to secure the
assistance of several prominent United States Congressmen to draft a
proposal whereby the Provinces of Canada might become annexed and made
certain States of the Union. The subject was discussed seriously by a
large section of the American press, while statesmen and others who
were eager to acquire our territory lost no opportunity to present their
views in that respect.

While the annexation pot was boiling, and the Fenians were still
threatening another raid, the question was brought before the American
people in a tangible form. On the 2nd of July, 1866, the following bill
was reported to the United States Congress by Representative Banks, and
recommitted to the Committee on Foreign Affairs. As viewed in the light
of the present day, its provisions contain very interesting reading:--

_A Bill for the admission of the States of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick,
Canada East and Canada West, and for the organization of the Territories
of Selkirk, Saskatchewan and Columbia._

SEC. 1. _Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States, of America in Congress assembled,_ That the President
of the United States is hereby authorized and directed, whenever notice
shall be deposited in the Department of State, that the Governments of
Great Britain and the Provinces of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince
Edward Island, Newfoundland, Canada, British Columbia, and Vancouver's
Island, have accepted the proposition hereinafter made by the United
States, to publish by proclamation that, from the date thereof, the
States of Nova-Scotia, New Brunswick, Canada East and Canada West, and
the Territories of Selkirk, Saskatchewan, and Columbia, with limits and
rights as by this Act defined, are constituted and admitted as States
and Territories of the United States of America.

SEC. 2. _Be it further enacted, etc.,_ That the following articles are
hereby proposed, and from the date of the proclamation of the President
of the United States shall take effect, as irrevocable conditions of the
admission of the States of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Canada East
and Canada West, and the future States of Selkirk, Saskatchewan and
Columbia, to wit:

Article I. All public lands not sold or g