Feeling unwell, Franklin made his way back home, accompanied by a couple from Montreal. Their teasing about his experiences in Canada almost led to a heated exchange.
Congress decided to form a committee to unravel the debacle in Canada. They came up with many reasons but overlooked a crucial one: Canadians simply weren’t interested in rebellion. As Father Carroll pointed out, they didn’t feel oppressed. Their interests were not only misaligned, but they also had different views on governance. It seemed as if Canada was a world apart.
Despite various blunders, neither Franklin nor Washington could let go of the desire to annex Canada. The same was true for the Marquis de Lafayette, who was promised leadership of 2,500 men for an invasion. The plan was to set off in February, hardly an ideal time for a venture into Canada’s harsh winter. The troops weren’t even equipped with winter clothing. Congress eventually called off the expedition, which Lafayette famously described as a “hell of blunders, madness, and deception.” His deputy was left wondering if those behind the harebrained scheme were traitors or fools.
Towards the end of the Revolutionary War, as peace negotiations approached in 1783, Franklin made a last-ditch effort: Would the British hand over Canada as compensation for the towns they had destroyed? Surely a gesture of goodwill was in order. Unsurprisingly, the British dismissed the proposal.
Fast forward to today, and it seems we find ourselves revisiting history, at least to some extent. Criticizing modern Canada is no easy feat; they haven’t caused a stir since the 1995 Turbot War with Spain over fishing rights. Back in the 18th century, at least American intentions were clear: Northern colonists felt the threat of British and Indian attacks. Washington believed Canada “would have been an important acquisition, and well worth the expenses incurred in the pursuit of it.” In today’s world, there’s no rational basis for conflict, unless you consider alienating a sovereign nation that is both a close friend and a vital trading partner to be sound foreign policy. Even George Washington would struggle to craft an appeal to modern Canada – a nation renowned for universal health care, generous maternity leave, affordable education, a firm stance on gun control, and high life expectancy – to join its southern neighbor. Clearly, we’re not moving towards a common goal. Much like Pepé Le Pew, some pursuits are just destined never to catch their elusive target.
