John Sherman: “Plotters for disunion avail themselves of the weakness of the executive to precipitate revolution.”

Our family of states is already large enough to create embarrassment in the Senate, and a republic should not hold dependent provinces or possessions.

If my life is prolonged I will do all I can to add to the strength and prosperity of the United States, but nothing to extend its limits or to add new dangers by acquisition of foreign territory.

What I have written is no doubt clouded with partisanship, but I would not be honest if I did not express my attachment to my party.

Canada and Mexico as independent republics will be more valuable to the United States than if carved into additional states.