Most Canadians have likely never given a thought to Benjamin Harrison, a Republican who was elected the 23rd president of the United States on Nov. 6, 1888.

But in light of Donald Trump’s proposals to annex Canada, they should. There’s a history of U.S. politicians wanting to take over the Great White North.

On Nov. 22, 1888, the Vancouver Daily News Advertiser reported “an intimate friend” of the incoming president “had reason to believe one of (Harrison’s) first official acts will be negotiations for the annexation of Canada.”

The news came out of Indianapolis, where Harrison lived.

“His idea is that the territory can be annexed to the United States by assuming Canada’s debts,” said the story. “If the territory cannot be obtained for that consideration, I think General Harrison would

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