John Breckinridge (U.S. Attorney General)
John Breckinridge | |
---|---|
Caesar A. Rodney | |
United States Senator from Kentucky | |
In office March 4, 1801 – August 7, 1805 | |
Preceded by | Humphrey Marshall |
Succeeded by | John Adair |
Speaker of the Kentucky House of Representatives | |
In office 1799–1800 | |
Preceded by | Edmund Bullock |
Succeeded by | John Adair |
Member of the Kentucky House of Representatives for Fayette County | |
In office 1798–1800 | |
Attorney General of Kentucky | |
In office December 19, 1793 – November 30, 1797 | |
Governor | Isaac Shelby James Garrard |
Preceded by | George Nicholas |
Succeeded by | James Blair |
Member of the Virginia House of Delegates representing Montgomery County | |
In office 1784–1785 Serving with Robert Sayers | |
Preceded by | John Preston |
Succeeded by | Daniel Trigg |
Member of the Virginia House of Delegates representing Botetourt County | |
In office 1783–1784 Serving with Archibald Stuart | |
Preceded by | Thomas Madison |
Succeeded by | George Hancock |
Member of the Virginia House of Delegates representing Botetourt County | |
In office 1784–1781 Serving with Samuel Lewis | |
Preceded by | Thomas Madison |
Succeeded by | Thomas Madison |
Personal details | |
Born | Augusta County, Virginia, British America | December 2, 1760
Died | December 14, 1806 (aged 46) Fayette County, Kentucky, U.S. |
Resting place | Lexington Cemetery |
Political party | Democratic-Republican |
Spouse | Mary Hopkins Cabell |
Children | 9, including Cabell and Robert |
Relatives | Breckinridge family |
Education | Washington and Lee University College of William & Mary |
Signature | |
Military service | |
Allegiance | Thirteen Colonies |
Branch/service | Virginia militia |
Battles/wars | American Revolutionary War |
John Breckinridge (December 2, 1760 – December 14, 1806) was an American lawyer, slave-owning planter, soldier, and politician in Virginia and Kentucky. He served several terms each in both state's legislatures before legislators elected him to the U.S. Senate. He also served as United States Attorney General during the second term of President Thomas Jefferson. He is the progenitor of Kentucky's Breckinridge political family and the namesake of Breckinridge County, Kentucky.
Breckinridge's father was landowner and colonel in the local Virginia militia who married into the
Breckinridge continued his legal and political career and was appointed as the state's
Elected to the U.S. Senate in 1800, Breckinridge functioned as Jefferson's floor leader, guiding administration bills through the chamber that was narrowly controlled by his party. Residents of the western frontier called for his nomination as vice president in 1804, but Jefferson appointed him as U.S. Attorney General in 1805 instead. He was the first cabinet-level official from the West but had little impact before his death from tuberculosis on December 14, 1806, at the age of 46.
Early life and family
John Breckinridge's grandfather, Alexander Breckenridge, immigrated from Ireland to Bucks County, Pennsylvania, around 1728, while the Breckinridge family originated in Ayrshire, Scotland, before migrating to Ulster (possibly County Antrim or County Londonderry) probably in the late 17th century.[list 1][note 1] In 1740, the family moved to Augusta County, Virginia, near the city of Staunton and Alexander died there in 1743.[1]
John Breckinridge was born in Augusta County on December 2, 1760, the second of six children of Robert Breckenridge and his second wife, Lettice (Preston) Breckenridge.[3] His mother was the daughter of John Preston of Virginia's Preston political family.[4] Robert Breckenridge had two children by a previous marriage, and through one of these half-brothers John Breckinridge was uncle to future Congressman James D. Breckinridge.[3][note 2] A veteran of the French and Indian War, Robert Breckenridge had farmed as well as served first as Augusta County's under-sheriff, then as sheriff, then justice of the peace.[1] Soon after John Breckinridge's birth, the family moved southward along the Wilderness Road to Botetourt County where Robert Breckenridge farmed, as well as became a constable and justice of the peace, and served in the local militia.[3][4] He died in 1773, leaving 12-year-old John 300 acres (1.2 km2) of land, one slave, and half-ownership of another slave.[5]
Breckinridge received a private education suitable to his class, possibly including Augusta Academy (now Washington and Lee University), but any records containing this information have been lost.[6] After his father's death, the younger Breckinridge helped support the family by selling whiskey, brandy, and hemp.[6] He learned surveying from his uncle, William Preston, and between 1774 and 1779, held a clerical job in the Botetourt County land office in Fincastle.[6] Preston sought opportunities for his nephew to attend private schools alongside his sons, but Breckinridge's other responsibilities interfered with his attendance.[7] Preston also nominated Breckinridge as deputy surveyor of Montgomery County, a position he accepted after passing the requisite exam on February 1, 1780.[8] Later that year, he joined his cousin, future Kentucky Senator John Brown, at William and Mary College (now College of William & Mary).[5][9] The instructors who influenced him most were Reverend James Madison and George Wythe.[9]
The Revolutionary War forced William and Mary to close in 1781, and during various times during the conflict British, French, and American troops used them as barracks while controlling the surrounding area.[10] Although William C. Davis records that Breckinridge had previously served as an ensign in the Botetourt County militia, Harrison notes that the most reliable records of Virginians' military service do not indicate his participation in the Revolutionary War, and less reliable sources mention him as a subaltern in the Virginia militia.[11][12] If Breckinridge served, Harrison speculates that such occurred in one or two short 1780 militia campaigns supporting Nathanael Greene's army in southwest Virginia.[13]
Early political career
Although he had not sought the office and was not old enough to serve, Botetourt County voters twice elected Breckinridge to represent them part-time as one of the western county's representatives in the Virginia House of Delegates in late 1780.[13] Though without documentary support, some claim fellow delegates twice refused Breckinridge his seat because of his age, but his constituents reelected him each time, and he was seated the third time.[14] His legislative colleagues included Patrick Henry, Benjamin Harrison, John Tyler, John Taylor of Caroline, George Nicholas, Daniel Boone, and Benjamin Logan.[15][16]
Prevented by British soldiers from meeting at Williamsburg, the House convened May 7, 1781, in Richmond, but failed to achieve a quorum.[14] Because of British General Charles Cornwallis' May 10 advance on that city, the legislators adjourned to Charlottesville on May 24.[14] Breckinridge arrived in Charlottesville on May 28; a quorum was present to conduct legislative business through June 3.[14] The next morning, Jack Jouett rode into the city, warning the legislators that 250 light cavalrymen under Banastre Tarleton were approaching.[14] Legislators quickly adjourned to Staunton and fled for their horses.[14] Days later, they completed the session's business there.[16] Breckinridge stayed at his mother's house between sessions, rejoining the legislature in Richmond in November 1781.[16] Much of the session consisted of adopting resolutions of thanks for individuals who had made that city safe by defeating Cornwallis at Yorktown.[17]
Financial difficulties prevented Breckinridge's return to college.[18] He did not seek reelection in 1782; instead, he spent a year earning money by surveying, and was reelected to the House of Delegates in 1783, joining his legislative colleagues in May.[16] He also joined the Constitutional Society of Virginia; fellow society members included future U.S. presidents James Madison and James Monroe.[19] The House adjourned June 28, 1783, and Breckinridge returned to William and Mary, studying through the end of the year, excepting the legislative session in November and December.[20] With the war over, he urged that no economic or political penalties be imposed on former Loyalists.[20] In contrast to his later political views, he desired a stronger central government than provided for in the Articles of Confederation; he argued that the national government could not survive unless it could tax its citizens, a power it did not have under the Articles.[20][21]
Financial problems caused Breckinridge to leave William and Mary after the spring semester in 1784.
Marriage and children
On June 28, 1785, Breckinridge married Mary Hopkins ("Polly") Cabell, daughter of Joseph Cabell, a member of the Cabell political family.[19] Polly's dowry included a 400-acre (1.6-km2) plantation in Albemarle County dubbed "The Glebe".[19] Nine children were born to the John and Polly Breckinridge – Letitia Preston (b. 1786), Joseph "Cabell" (b. 1787), Mary Hopkins (b. 1790), Robert (b. 1793), Mary Ann (b. 1795), John (b. 1797), Robert Jefferson (b. 1800), William Lewis (b. 1803), and James Monroe (b. 1806).[30]
Polly, Cabell, and Letitia all fell ill but survived a
Meanwhile, farming at the Glebe proved barely enough for Breckinridge's growing family.
Relocation to Kentucky
Breckinridge's half-brothers, Andrew and Robert, moved to
In February 1792, Breckinridge, a Democratic-Republican, was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives over token opposition.[46] On the date of the election, he wrote to Archibald Stuart, "The People appearing willing to elect, I could have no objection to serve them one Winter in Congress."[47] Despite this, he left for Kentucky in March 1793 and resigned without serving a day in Congress, which convened on March 4.[48] He chose the longer but safer route to Kentucky, joining a group of flatboats at Brownsville, Pennsylvania, for the trip down the Monongahela and Ohio rivers to Limestone (now Maysville, Kentucky).[49] His family, along with 25 slaves, arrived in April and established their plantation, Cabell's Dale.[48][50] By the time of Breckinridge's move, he owned 30,000 acres (120 km2) in Kentucky.[33]
Domestic life in Kentucky
When he arrived in Kentucky, much of Breckinridge's land was occupied by tenant farmers whose leases had not yet expired.[44] He planted rye and wheat on 20 acres (0.081 km2) of unleased land and sent 11 slaves and an overseer to clear land for the fall planting.[44] Eventually, his crops at Cabell's Dale included corn, wheat, rye, barley, hay, grass seed, and hemp, but he refused to grow tobacco, a major cash crop, which he found too vulnerable to over-cultivation.[44] He also bred thoroughbred horses, planted an orchard, and practiced law.[33] He engaged in land speculation, particularly in the Northwest Territory, and at various times owned interests in iron and salt works, but these ventures were never very successful.[51]
As his plantation became more productive, Breckinridge became interested in ways to sell his excess goods.
Breckinridge was also concerned with easing overland transport of goods to Virginia.[52] In mid-1795, he, Robert Barr, Elijah Craig, and Harry Toulmin formed a committee to raise funds for a road connecting the Cumberland Gap to central Kentucky.[52] Breckinridge was disappointed with the quality of the route, which was finished in late 1796, concluding that the individual maintaining it was keeping most of the tolls instead of using them for the road's upkeep.[57]
Breckinridge was also interested in education. Before moving to Kentucky, he accumulated a substantial library of histories, biographies, law and government texts, and classical literature.[47] Frequently, he allowed aspiring lawyers and students access to the library, which was one of the most extensive in the west.[58] He also provided funding for a municipal library in Lexington.[58] His lobbying for a college to be established in Lexington bore fruit with the opening of Transylvania Seminary (now Transylvania University) in 1788.[18] He was elected to the seminary's board of trustees on October 9, 1793, and supported hiring Harry Toulmin as president in February 1794 and consolidating the seminary with Kentucky Academy in 1796.[59] Conservatives on the board and in the Kentucky General Assembly forced Toulmin – a liberal Unitarian – to resign in 1796, and Breckinridge's enthusiasm for his trusteeship waned.[59] He attended board meetings less frequently and resigned in late 1797.[60]
Kentucky Attorney General
Kentucky needed qualified governmental leaders, and on December 19, 1793, Kentucky Governor Isaac Shelby appointed Breckinridge attorney general.[61] Three weeks after accepting, he was offered the post of District Attorney for the Federal District of Kentucky, but he declined.[62] Secretary of State Edmund Randolph directed Shelby to prevent French agents in Kentucky from organizing an expedition against Spanish Louisiana.[63] On Breckinridge's advice, Shelby responded that he lacked the authority to interfere.[63] Lack of funding prevented the expedition, but Shelby's noncommittal response helped prompt passage of the Neutrality Act of 1794 which outlawed participation by U.S. citizens in such expeditions.[64]
In November 1794, the Democratic-Republicans nominated Breckinridge to succeed
In May 1796, Kentucky's gubernatorial electors convened to choose Shelby's successor.
Kentucky House of Representatives
Breckinridge pressed to reform the state's criminal code, which was based on the English system and imposed
Kentucky Resolutions
In August, Breckinridge traveled to Virginia's
Letters between Nicholas and Jefferson indicate a different series of events.[73] In a letter dated October 4, 1798, Nicholas informed Jefferson that he had given "a copy of the resolutions you sent me" to Breckinridge, who would introduce them in Kentucky.[73] The letter also indicated that this was a deviation from the original plan to deliver the draft to a legislator in North Carolina for introduction in the legislature there.[74] Nicholas felt that recipient was too closely associated with Jefferson, risking his being discovered as the resolutions' author.[74] According to Nicholas, Breckinridge wanted to discuss the draft with Jefferson, but Nicholas advised against the meeting, fearing it could implicate Jefferson.[74] A subsequent letter from Jefferson expressed his approval of Nicholas' actions.[74] Lowell Harrison notes that after Breckinridge left Virginia, his contacts with Jefferson were few until his election to the Senate in 1801.[73] Harrison considered it unlikely that Jefferson was mistaken about a meeting between the two to discuss a matter as important as the resolutions, positing that Jefferson may have met separately with Breckinridge and Nicholas to discuss the resolutions, and that the meeting with Breckinridge was kept secret from Nicholas.[75] Because of the uncertainty surrounding Breckinridge's activities in Virginia in 1798, the extent of his influence on Jefferson's original draft of the resolutions is unknown.[75]
In Garrard's November 5, 1798, State of the Commonwealth address, he encouraged the General Assembly to declare its views on the Alien and Sedition Acts.
Federalist state legislatures, primarily those north of the Potomac River, sent the Kentucky General Assembly negative responses to the resolutions.[78] Nicholas convinced Jefferson that Kentucky should adopt a second set of resolutions affirming the first, lest the lack of a reply be seen acquiescence.[79] Jefferson refused to compose these resolutions, maintaining that there were sufficiently talented individuals in Kentucky to compose them and fearing still that he would be discovered as the author of the first set.[79] Breckinridge, chosen Speaker of the Kentucky House of Representatives at the outset of the 1799 session, took on the task, drafting resolutions reasserting the original principles and endorsing nullification.[78][note 3] The resolutions unanimously passed the House.[79] The Federalist minority in the Senate opposed them, especially the endorsement of nullification, but that chamber also adopted the resolutions as written.[79] Breckinridge's presumed authorship of the original resolutions and his subsequent defense of them caused his popularity to soar in Kentucky.[78]
Kentucky Constitution of 1799
Some Kentucky citizens were already displeased with parts of the state's constitution, and the disputed gubernatorial election of 1796 had added to the enthusiasm of those calling for a constitutional convention to revise it.[65] Breckinridge opposed such a call, fearing changes would imperil his wealth and power.[80] John Breckinridge asked, "Where is the difference whether I am robbed of my horse by a highway-man, or of my slave by a set of people called a Convention? ... If they can by one experiment emancipate our slaves; the same principle pursued, will enable them at a second experiment to extinguish our land titles; both are held by rights equally sound."[81] The desire for a convention was so strong, even in aristocratic Fayette County, that Breckinridge's position nearly cost him his seat in the legislature.[82] Seeking election to a full term in May 1798, he was the seventh-highest vote-getter, securing the last of Fayette County's seats in the legislature by only eight votes.[83] Despite the efforts of conservatives like Breckinridge and George Nicholas, in late 1798, the General Assembly called a convention for July 22, 1799.[80] Delegates to the convention were to be elected in May 1799, and the conservatives immediately began organizing slates of candidates that would represent their interests.[80] Popular because of his role in securing adoption of the Kentucky Resolutions, Breckinridge was among the six conservative candidates promoted in Fayette County, all of whom were elected.[80][84] Out of the fifty-eight men who arrived in Frankfort in late July as convention delegates, fifty-seven owned slaves and fifty held substantial property.[85] Between the election and the convention, Breckinridge and Judge Caleb Wallace worked with Nicholas (who did not seek election as a delegate) to draft resolutions that Breckinridge would introduce at the convention in an attempt to steer the proceedings toward conservative positions.[86]
The largest group of delegates at the convention – about 18 in number – were aristocrats who advocated protection of their wealth and status, including instituting voice voting in the legislature (which left legislators vulnerable to intimidation), safeguarding legal slavery, and limiting the power of the electorate.[33][86] A smaller group led by Green Clay and Robert Johnson consisted mostly of planters who opposed most limits on the power of the legislature, which they believed was superior to the executive and judicial branches.[86] A third group, led by future governor John Adair, agreed with the notion of legislative supremacy, but opposed limits on other branches of the government.[86] The smallest group was the most populist and was led by John Bailey.[86] The conservative faction strengthened the previous constitution's slavery protections by denying suffrage to free blacks and mulattoes.[86] Legislative apportionment based on population, the addition of a lieutenant governor, and voice voting of the legislature – all issues advocated by Breckinridge – were also adopted.[87] He was unable to preserve the electoral college that elected the governor and state senators, but the direct election of these officers was balanced by a provision that county sheriffs and judges be appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Senate.[88][89] Attempts to make judicial decisions subject to legislative approval were defeated after Breckinridge defended the extant judicial system.[87] He was also the architect of the constitution's provisions for amendment, which made changing the document difficult, but not entirely impossible.[87] Because of his leading role in the convention, Breckinridge was regarded as the father of the resultant constitution, which was ratified in 1799, and emerged from the convention as the leader of his party.[33] He was reelected as Speaker of the House in 1800.[29]
U.S. Senator
On November 20, 1800, the Kentucky General Assembly elected Breckinridge to the U.S. Senate by a vote of 68–13 over John Adair.[90] He was eligible for the special congressional session called for March 4, 1801, but his summons to the session remained undelivered at the Lexington post office until March 5, and he consequently missed the entire session.[71] When he left for Washington, D.C., late in the year, he left several of his pending legal cases in the hands of rising attorney Henry Clay, who would later become U.S. Secretary of State.[91]
Although Democratic-Republicans held a narrow majority in the Senate, the Federalist senators were both experienced and devoted their cause.
Louisiana Purchase
Breckinridge advocated internal improvements and formed a coalition of legislators from South Carolina, Georgia,
Before an invasion became necessary, U.S. ambassadors learned that Spain had ceded Louisiana to France via the
After the purchase was approved, Jefferson drafted a system of governing the newly acquired territory.[100] Fearing that the Federalists would oppose any system he had devised, he delivered his draft to Breckinridge and asked him to introduce it in the Senate as his own.[101] To maintain the ruse, Breckinridge moved that a committee be formed to recommend a plan for governing Louisiana Territory.[102] Working through the committee, he brought Jefferson's plan to the Senate floor with its essentials intact.[102] Because the plan provided for the taxation of Louisiana residents without giving them representation in Congress, Federalists and some Democratic-Republicans opposed it.[102] Nevertheless, it passed by a vote of 26–6.[103]
Consideration for the vice presidency
By July 1803, citizens of the western states, desiring more representation in the federal government and intent on breaking the pattern of nominating a Virginians and New Yorkers for most important federal offices, were advocating Breckinridge's nomination as vice president in the 1804 presidential election.[104][105] Thomas Jefferson was expected to be reelected, but most Democratic-Republicans had grown disenchanted with Vice President Aaron Burr; he would not be Jefferson's running mate.[104] Breckinridge's service as Senate floor leader made him a natural choice.[104]
The Democratic-Republican congressional caucus convened February 25, 1804.[106] Contrary to previous conventions, the proceedings were open and formal.[106] Afraid that taking vice presidential nominations from the floor would precipitate divisive oratory, chairman Stephen Bradley called for open balloting for the nomination.[106] New York's George Clinton received a majority with 67 votes; Breckinridge garnered 20 votes, mostly from western delegates, and the remaining votes were scattered among 4 other candidates.[105] Historian James C. Klotter concluded that the solons felt a ticket composed of Jefferson, a Virginian, and Breckinridge, a former Virginian, made little political sense.[105] Breckinridge acceded to the choice; some reports hold that he asked his colleagues not to vote for him at all.[106] Before the caucus adjourned, a thirteen-man committee was formed to promote the election of the Democratic-Republican ticket; Breckinridge represented Kentucky on the committee.[106]
Westerners expressed dissent over Clinton's nomination instead of their preferred candidate.
In the same edition that carried Breckinridge's response, Daniel Bradford, editor of the
Stevenson swore under oath that Breckinridge had no part in composing the "True American" article.[112] Breckinridge publicly stated that Bradford's brother, Charles, had shown him a draft of the "True American" editorial prior to its publication and asked his opinion of it; Breckinridge advised him not to publish it, and Bradford temporarily obliged.[112] An illness, Breckinridge said, had confined him to his home at the time of the editorial's publication, and he was not aware that the Independent Gazetteer had printed it until he attended the court at Frankfort days later; he immediately returned home and composed his rebuttal.[112] In light of this evidence, few still maintained the credibility of the reports in the Kentucky Gazette by the time of the election.[113] Every Kentucky elector voted for both Jefferson and Clinton.[111]
Other Senate matters
After the Louisiana Purchase, Breckinridge focused on securing a vote to present the
Other business in the session included creating a special fund that would allow Jefferson to recover the
U.S. Attorney General
When
Stopping to visit with friends en route to Washington, D.C., Breckinridge arrived on December 7, 1805.[123] His nomination was confirmed by the Senate on December 20.[127] He was influential in Jefferson's infrequent cabinet meetings, where he served as the lone voice of the west.[126] His most notable advisory opinion – that no local government in the Territory of Orleans had the power to tax federal property there – was upheld in the Supreme Court by Chief Justice John Marshall in McCulloch v. Maryland.[125][127] He was sworn in to represent the federal government before the Supreme Court when it convened – about a week late because of the illness of several justices – on February 12, 1806.[128] He was spared the awkwardness of practicing before a judge he had voted to impeach because Samuel Chase was absent for the Court's entire six-week term.[129] The court heard only six cases during the term; most of them were cases Breckinridge had inherited from his predecessor, and Harrison wrote that none were of lasting importance.[128] Cases such as Maley v. Shattuck involved international maritime law – an area with which Breckinridge was not familiar – and arose from the Napoleonic Wars, which complicated neutral American trade with both Great Britain and France.[128] During the term, Breckinridge lost four cases, won one, and the justices sent one back for retrial in a lower court.[128]
Death and legacy
Breckinridge returned to Cabell's Dale in early 1806 and fell ill in June.[126] In July, he visited Kentucky's Olympian Springs, hoping it would aid his recovery, but it did not.[130] Doctors disagreed on the cause of his illness, with diagnoses ranging from typhus fever to stomach ailments.[126] He attempted to return to Washington, D.C., on October 22, but while his horse was being prepared for the journey, he collapsed in pain and had to be helped back inside.[131] Friends and relatives hoped for a recovery that never came, and he died on December 14, 1806.[126] The cause of death was eventually determined to be tuberculosis.[92] According to family tradition, Polly Breckinridge was so distraught over her husband's death that she went blind from her incessant crying.[132] Breckinridge was first buried at Cabell's Dale on December 16 but was later reinterred in Lexington Cemetery.[92][131]
At the time of his death, Breckinridge owned over 20,000 acres (81 km2) of land, and his net worth was estimated at more than $20,000.[133] With a workforce of nearly 70 slaves, he was one of the largest slaveholders in the state.[134] The breeding of horses and mules at Cabell's Dale had become more profitable than selling the excess crops raised there.[135] His daughter, Mary Ann, and her husband, David Castleman, inherited the horse and mule breeding operations, which eventually became the thoroughbred stable of Castleton Lyons.[136] Breckinridge County, Kentucky, created from a portion of Hardin County in 1799, was named in Breckinridge's honor.[137]
Notes
- ^ Davis notes that John Breckinridge changed the spelling of the family name for unknown reasons during his time in the Virginia House of Delegates between 1781 and 1784. See Davis, p. 5.
- ^ The paternity of James D. Breckinridge is disputed; see The Breckinridges of Kentucky, p. 8.
- ^ Although some historians have questioned Breckinridge's authorship of the second set of resolutions, Jefferson biographer Nathan Schachner noted that original drafts of those resolutions, in Breckinridge's handwriting, are among his papers housed at the Library of Congress. See Schachner, p. 628.
References
- ^ a b c Klotter in The Breckinridges of Kentucky, p. 6.
- ^ The Scotch-Irish in America: Proceedings of the Scotch-Irish Congress. Robert Clarke & Company. 1891. p. 269.
- ^ a b c Klotter in The Breckinridges of Kentucky, p. 8.
- ^ a b c d e f "John Breckinridge". Dictionary of American Biography.
- ^ a b Klotter in The Breckiridges of Kentucky, p. 9.
- ^ a b c Harrison in "A Young Virginian", p. 21.
- ^ Harrison in John Breckinridge: Jeffersonian Republican, p. 5.
- ^ Harrison in John Breckinridge: Jeffersonian Republican, p. 6.
- ^ a b Harrison in "A Young Virginian", p. 22.
- ^ Harrison in John Breckinridge: Jeffersonian Republican, p. 7.
- ^ Davis, p. 4.
- ^ Harrison in John Breckinridge: Jeffersonian Republican, p. 20.
- ^ a b Harrison in John Breckinridge: Jeffersonian Republican, p. 9.
- ^ a b c d e f Harrison in John Breckinridge: Jeffersonian Republican, p. 10.
- ^ Klotter in The Breckinridges of Kentucky, pp. 9–10.
- ^ a b c d Harrison in "A Young Virginian", p. 24.
- ^ Harrison in John Breckinridge: Jeffersonian Republican, p. 11.
- ^ a b Klotter in The Breckinridges of Kentucky.
- ^ a b c Klotter in The Breckinridges of Kentucky, p. 11.
- ^ a b c Harrison in "A Young Virginian", p. 25.
- ^ Harrison in "John Breckinridge: Western Statesman", p. 138.
- ^ Harrison in "A Young Virginian", p. 23.
- ^ a b c d Harrison, in "A Young Virginian", p. 26.
- ^ Cynthia Miller Leonard, The Virginia General Assembly 1619-1978 (Richmond: Virginia State Library 1978) pp. 141, 148, 154
- ^ Harrison in John Breckinridge: Jeffersonian Republican, p. 13.
- ^ Harrison in "A Young Virginian", p. 27.
- ^ Harrison in John Breckinridge: Jeffersonian Republican, p. 14.
- ^ a b Harrison in John Breckinridge: Jeffersonian Republican, p. 15.
- ^ a b c "Breckinridge, John", Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
- ^ Klotter in The Breckinridges of Kentucky, pp. 11, 33.
- ^ Klotter in The Breckinridges of Kentucky, p. 32.
- ^ a b c d Klotter in The Breckinridges of Kentucky, p. 40.
- ^ a b c d e f g Klotter in The Kentucky Encyclopedia, p. 116.
- ^ Klotter in The Breckinridges of Kentucky, p. 33.
- ^ Harrison in "A Young Virginian", p. 28.
- ^ a b Harrison in "A Young Virginian", p. 30.
- ^ Harrison in "A Young Virginian", p. 31.
- ^ a b Harrison in John Breckinridge: Jeffersonian Republican, p. 38.
- ^ Harrison in "A Virginian Moves to Kentucky", pp. 202–203.
- ^ a b Klotter in The Breckinridges of Kentucky, p. 12.
- ^ Harrison in "John Breckinridge of Kentucky", p. 205.
- ^ Harrison in "A Virginian Moves to Kentucky", p. 203.
- ^ a b Harrison in "A Virginian Moves to Kentucky", p. 205.
- ^ a b c d Harrison in "John Breckinridge of Kentucky", p. 206.
- ^ Harrison in "A Virginian Moves to Kentucky", p. 206.
- ^ Harrison in "A Young Virginian", p. 32.
- ^ a b Harrison in "A Virginian Moves to Kentucky", p. 209.
- ^ a b Harrison in "A Young Virginian", p. 34.
- ^ Harrison in "A Virginian Moves to Kentucky", pp. 210–211.
- ^ Harrison in "John Breckinridge of Kentucky", p. 210.
- ^ a b c d Harrison in "John Breckinridge: Western Statesman", p. 142.
- ^ a b c Harrison in "John Breckinridge of Kentucky", p. 208.
- ^ a b c Harrison and Klotter, p. 73.
- ^ Harrison in John Breckinridge: Jeffersonian Republican, p. 54.
- ^ Klotter in The Breckinridges of Kentucky, p. 18.
- ^ Klotter in The Breckinridges of Kentucky, p. 19.
- ^ a b Harrison in "John Breckinridge of Kentucky", p. 209.
- ^ a b Klotter in The Breckinridges of Kentucky, p. 15.
- ^ a b Harrison in John Breckinridge: Jeffersonian Republican, pp. 64–65.
- ^ Harrison in John Breckinridge: Jeffersonian Republican, p. 65.
- ^ Harrison in John Breckinridge: Jeffersonian Republican, pp. 59, 61.
- ^ Harrison in John Breckinridge: Jeffersonian Republican, p. 62.
- ^ a b Harrison in John Breckinridge: Jeffersonian Republican, p. 59.
- ^ Harrison in John Breckinridge: Jeffersonian Republican, p. 60.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Harrison and Klotter, p. 75.
- ^ a b Harrison in John Breckinridge: Jeffersonian Republican, p. 63.
- ^ Harrison in John Breckinridge: Jeffersonian Republican, pp. 62, 72.
- ^ a b Harrison in John Breckinridge: Jeffersonian Republican, p. 72.
- ^ a b c d e Harrison and Klotter, p. 83.
- ^ Harrison in John Breckinridge: Jeffersonian Republican, p. 74.
- ^ a b c d e Harrison in John Breckinridge: Jeffersonian Republican.
- ^ Harrison in John Breckinridge: Jeffersonian Republican, pp. 75–76.
- ^ a b c Harrison in John Breckinridge: Jeffersonian Republican, p. 76.
- ^ a b c d Schachner, p. 613.
- ^ a b Harrison in John Breckinridge: Jeffersonian Republican, p. 77.
- ^ a b Harrison in John Breckinridge: Jeffersonian Republican, p. 78.
- ^ Klotter in The Breckinridges of Kentucky, p. 20.
- ^ a b c d e f g Harrison and Klotter, p. 82.
- ^ a b c d Schachner, p. 627.
- ^ a b c d Harrison and Klotter, p. 76.
- ^ Friend, Craig Thompson. 2010. Kentucke's Frontiers. Indiana University Press, p. 208.
- ^ Harrison in John Breckinridge: Jeffersonian Republican, p. 100.
- ^ Klotter in The Breckinridges of Kentucky, pp. 19–20.
- ^ Harrison in John Breckinridge: Jeffersonian Republican, p. 101.
- ^ Friend, p. 209.
- ^ a b c d e f Harrison and Klotter, p. 77.
- ^ a b c Harrison and Klotter, p. 78.
- ^ Klotter in The Breckinridges of Kentucky, p. 27.
- ^ Harrison in "John Breckinridge: Western Statesman", p. 141.
- ^ Harrison in John Breckinridge: Jeffersonian Republican, p. 110.
- ^ Klotter in The Breckinridges of Kentucky, p. 28.
- ^ a b c d Klotter in The Kentucky Encyclopedia, p. 117.
- ^ Harrison in John Breckinridge: Jeffersonian Republican, p. 142.
- ^ a b c d e Harrison in "John Breckinridge: Western Statesman", p. 143.
- ^ a b Harrison in John Breckinridge: Jeffersonian Republican, p. 144.
- ^ Schachner, p. 703.
- ^ a b c d Harrison and Klotter, p. 84.
- ^ a b c d e Harrison in "John Breckinridge: Western Statesman", p. 144.
- ^ a b Harrison and Klotter, p. 85.
- ^ Peterson, p. 780.
- ^ Peterson, p. 781.
- ^ a b c Peterson, p. 782.
- ^ Harrison in "John Breckinridge: Western Statesman", p. 145.
- ^ a b c Harrison in "John Breckinridge and the Vice-Presidency", p. 155.
- ^ a b c Klotter in The Breckinridges of Kentucky, p. 31.
- ^ a b c d e Harrison in "John Breckinridge and the Vice-Presidency", p. 158.
- ^ a b Harrison in "John Breckinridge and the Vice-Presidency", p. 159.
- ^ a b c Harrison in "John Breckinridge and the Vice-Presidency", p. 160.
- ^ Harrison in John Breckinridge: Jeffersonian Republican, p. 176.
- ^ Harrison in John Breckinridge: Jeffersonian Republican, p. 177.
- ^ a b Harrison in "John Breckinridge and the Vice-Presidency", p. 162.
- ^ a b c d Harrison in "John Breckinridge and the Vice-Presidency", p. 161.
- ^ Harrison in "John Breckinridge: Western Statesman", p. 148.
- ^ a b c d e f Harrison in John Breckinridge: Jeffersonian Republican, p. 171.
- ^ Harrison in John Breckinridge: Jeffersonian Republican, pp. 171–172.
- ^ a b c Harrison in John Breckinridge: Jeffersonian Republican, p. 172.
- ^ Harrison in John Breckinridge: Jeffersonian Republican, pp. 173–174.
- ^ Harrison in John Breckinridge: Jeffersonian Republican, p. 173.
- ^ Harrison in John Breckinridge: Jeffersonian Republican, p. 174.
- ^ Harrison in John Breckinridge: Jeffersonian Republican, pp. 173, 178.
- ^ a b c Harrison in John Breckinridge: Jeffersonian Republican, p. 180.
- ^ a b Harrison in "Attorney General John Breckinridge", p. 320.
- ^ a b c Harrison in "Attorney General John Breckinridge", p. 321.
- ^ a b Langeluttig, p. 260.
- ^ a b Harrison in "John Breckinridge: Western Statesman", p. 149.
- ^ a b c d e Harrison in "John Breckinridge: Western Statesman", p. 150.
- ^ a b Harrison in "Attorney General John Breckinridge", p. 322.
- ^ a b c d Harrison in "Attorney General John Breckinridge", p. 323.
- ^ Harrison in John Breckinridge: Jeffersonian Republican, p. 190.
- ^ Klotter in The Breckinridges of Kentucky, p. 34.
- ^ a b Harrison in John Breckinridge: Jeffersonian Republican, p. 198.
- ^ Klotter in The Breckinridges of Kentucky, p. 39.
- ^ Harrison in John Breckinridge: Jeffersonian Republican, p. 132.
- ^ Klotter in The Breckinridges of Kentucky, p. 24.
- ^ Harrison in John Breckinridge: Jeffersonian Republican, p. 124.
- ^ "History". Castleton Lyons.
- ^ Harrison in John Breckinridge: Jeffersonian Republican, p. 87.
- Bundled references
Bibliography
- "Breckinridge, John". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. United States Congress. Retrieved October 12, 2012.
- ISBN 978-0807100684.
- Harrison, Lowell H. (October 1962). "Attorney General John Breckinridge". Filson Club History Quarterly. 36 (4).
- Harrison, Lowell H. (April 1952). "John Breckinridge and the Vice-Presidency, 1804; A Political Episode". Filson Club History Quarterly. 26 (2).
- Harrison, Lowell H. (July 1960). "John Breckinridge of Kentucky". Filson Club History Quarterly. 34 (3).
- Harrison, Lowell H. (1969). John Breckinridge: Jeffersonian Republican. Louisville, Kentucky: The Filson Club.
- JSTOR 2954269.
- ISBN 0-8131-2008-X.
- JSTOR 1919441.
- JSTOR 4246914.
- "History". Castleton Lyons. Archived from the original on January 2, 2013. Retrieved November 13, 2012.
- "John Breckinridge". Dictionary of American Biography. Charles Scribner's Sons. 1936. Retrieved October 14, 2012.
- ISBN 0-8131-9165-3.
- ISBN 0-8131-1772-0. Archived from the originalon July 17, 2019. Retrieved October 13, 2012.
- Langeluttig, Albert (1927). The Department of Justice of the United States. Baltimore, Maryland: The Johns Hopkins Press.
- Peterson, Merrill D. (1975). Thomas Jefferson and the New Nation: A Biography. London, England: Oxford University Press. Retrieved October 25, 2012.
- Schachner, Nathan (1957). Thomas Jefferson: A Biography. New York City, New York: Thomas Yoseloff. Retrieved October 25, 2012.
External links
- Remonstrance of the Citizens West of the Mountains to the President and Congress of the United States, a pamphlet written by Breckinridge urging the federal government to secure unrestricted navigation of the Mississippi River