Kentucky politician (1821–1875) who served as a U.S. Representative and Senator before becoming the 14th Vice President of the United States under James Buchanan (to date the youngest vice president in U.S. history). During the Civil War he was a Confederate General and Confederate Secretary of State. ALS, three pages on two adjoining sheets, 5 x 8, February 12, 1866. Handwritten letter to noted newspaper editor and family friend, Washington McLean, while living in exile in Toronto Canada West. In full: “I send you a line by my son Clifton to preserve us in your memory, and to say that we are hibernating pretty well in these Semi-Arctic regions. I am greatly obliged to you for several things, among the rest the little derringers are beauties. I continue to remain perfectly quiet, even to the extent of having no correspondence upon any political topic, yet this does not prevent me from observing with great interest the proceedings in the United States, and I shall always be obliged to receive any paper from you containing what might be supposed to be of special interest to me. Mrs. B. and the rest of my family join me in kind regards to you and yours. I hope Mrs. McLean preserves that equanimity of temper and sweetness of expression so habitual to her (on all subjects save one!) and that prosperity and happiness may long be in store for you both. Your friends at the 'gunns' are well except Mrs. Helen who has been quite delicate since her return from Ky. I think Clifton is a fine youth, yet a little good advice occasionally will encourage him. Please give it." In fine condition.
After the Confederate Government fell in May of 1865 Breckinridge fled the country, eventually arriving in Toronto, Canada, in September 1865. There he was reunited with his wife and some family members. They stayed less than a year in Toronto before moving to Europe. He returned briefly to Canada in 1868 before returning to the United States in early 1869 following a general pardon for all Confederates issued by President Andrew Johnson on Christmas Day 1868.
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