[hirn_man]

Gosh I was unaware that those two states hadn't joined the Union.

What country did North Carolina and Rhode Island form?

[aristeides]

North Carolina and Rhode Island eventually joined the new Union, after they had been forced to do so by the -- technically illegal -- adhesion of the other states. Rhode Island did so a year or so after the new federal government was up and running, and Washington occupying the presidency. Their hand was forced.