 Taylor believed that the land surrounding the Saskatchewan valley and the Red River of the North was ideal for agricultural land that could, theoretically, support 6-8 million people.In 1866, Taylor went as far as to speak to the United States House of Representatives about the land north of the 49th Parallel.Following Taylor's speech, Congress introduced a bill that favoured Taylor's views and encouraged the idea that America should be making an attempt at the northern plains.