I think the question itself is a bit misleading. Aaron Burr was Jefferson’s VP in his first term but aspired to more until he killed Alexander Hamilton in a duel in 1804, ending his chances. So he plotted to set up his own country that he would govern in either Mexico or the Louisiana Territory. Jefferson found out about the plot but wasn’t able to do much about it without having the express authority of the Constitution.
So in December of 1806, Jefferson asked Congress to pass a bill “authorising the emploiment of the land or Naval forces of the US. in cases of insurrection.” This legislation became known as the Insurrection Act and, while it was written expressly to foil Burr’s plot, it wasn’t used to capture him. Burr was taken into custody days before it was signed into law.
By being able to hold Burr under the IA, Jefferson was able to put an end to Burr’s attempt to establish his own country on land considered to be part of America. Did he save the Republic? Maybe.
Other presidents have invoked the Act, and I thought Lincoln was one of them, but I can find no reference to it. No other presidents have used it to save the Republic, to the best of my knowledge.
Link:
https://www.history.com/news/insurrection-act-thomas-jefferson-aaron-burr
thanks, I did not know that, about Burr. I guess he wasn’t planning on founding ‘the State of Jefferson’ or anything.