Merchants in Canada East began supporting annexation by the United States in the summer of 1849 due to the end of British mercantilism policies. By October, 325 merchants signed a published call to join the US, growing to over 1000, but most Canadiens opposed it out of fears about American treatment of their French culture. The annexation movement was short-lived among merchants as they decided pursuing free trade with the US through reciprocity would be a better option.

1. ANNEXATION MOVEMENT END OF MERCANTILISM LEAVES MERCHANTS BELIEVING THERE IS NO ADVANTAGE TO BEING PART OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE AMONG MERCHANTS OF CANADA EAST GROWING SUPPORT FOR ANNEXATION OVER SUMMER OF 1849 LEADS TO 325 SIGNATURES IN OCTOBER ON PUBLISHED CALL TO JOIN UNITED STATES NUMBER GROWS TO OVER 1000 BUT THERE IS NO WIDESPREAD SUPPORT CANADIENS OPPOSED OVER FEARS ABOUT AMERICAN TREATMENT OF THEIR WAY OF LIFE ANNEXATION COMES IN BY THE RAIL, WHILE LIBERTY FLIES OFF IN THE SMOKE

2. ANNEXATION MOVEMENT PAPINEAU, PARDONED IN 1845 RETURNS FROM EXILE AND SUPPORTS ANNEXATION GIVES EXAMPLE OF LOUISIANA FOR PRESERVATION OF FRENCH CULTURE WITHIN THE UNITED STATES – OBTAINS 600 SIGNATURES IN QUEBEC CITY ANNEXATION MOVEMENT IS SHORT LIVED AMONG MERCHANTS AS THEY SOON DECIDE TO SEEK RECIPROCITY (FREE TRADE) WITH THE UNITED STATES