When the American Revolution happened, none of the rebelling colonies had land on the St Lawrence River banks. Quebec already had the southern banks. People in

When the American Revolution happened, none of the rebelling colonies had land on the St Lawrence River banks. Quebec already had the southern banks. People in the area sided with England, and never wanted to join the US afterwards. The US never saw fit to take over the area, and the US eventually became friends with Canada. Edit: Shipping rights were never much of a concern, since the St Lawrence River has rapids[0] and isn't naturally navigable past Montreal. Besides, in 1825, the Erie Canal opened, and railroads were later built. [0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lachine_Rapids https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lachine_Rapids