Republican (constitutionalist) President Jefferson in a letter to Republican (constitutionalist) Senator John Breckinridge, of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, (grandfather of Democratic (constitutionalist) Vice President John C. Breckinridge) comments on the possibility of the secession of the New England States over the purchase of Louisiana from the Republic of France: “God bless them both if it be for their good, but separate them, if it is better.”

       [restored 11/13/2021] Thanks to Jim Lorenz for this entry.