Jefferson asserted the right to revolution, and I don’t disagree with him on that at all. In a way it’s a collective version of the right to self-defense. It’s definitely collective. Individuals cannot secede.
You're twisting words. The only collective part of this is the States are the collection of Individuals. Individuals can't secede.. but the collection of Individuals forming their State.......can
Thomas Jefferson to To John C. Breckinridge Monticello
The future inhabitants of the Atlantic & Missipi States will be our sons. We leave them in distinct but bordering establishments. We think we see their happiness in their union, & we wish it. Events may prove it otherwise; and if they see their interest in separation, why should we take side with our Atlantic rather than our Missipi descendants? It is the elder and the younger son differing. God bless them both, & keep them in union, if it be for their good, but separate them, if it be better.
Thomas Jefferson to governor William Giles 1825:
If every infraction of a compact of so many parties is to be resisted at once, as a dissolution of it, none can ever be formed which would last one year. We must have patience and longer endurance then with our brethren while under delusion; give them time for reflection and experience of consequences; keep ourselves in a situation to profit by the chapter of accidents; and separate from our companions only when the sole alternatives left, are the dissolution of our Union with them, or submission to a government without limitation of powers. Between these two evils, when we must make a choice, there can be no hesitation
Thomas Jefferson letter to Madison in August 1799:
[We should be] determined... to sever ourselves from the union we so much value rather than give up the rights of self-government...in which alone we see liberty, safety and happiness.
And states cannot secede unilaterally.
Oh, I see.
So in some twisted way, it’s OK to actually “revolt” (which means attempt to overthrow the government, in truth, not merely fight against it), but NOT OK to just walk away peacably.
Both the so-called AmRev and the ACW were essentially the same thing - walk-aways. Neither involved toppling the old government, just getting away from it.