Quotation: "The nation was clothed with ample powers to maintain its own supremacy and life forever – with its foundation upon the White Race, Christianity, and a Republican form of government. If this nation does not like a planet, revolve in orbit around this 'trinity,' the nation's purpose for existence will have ceased to exist and though its Union is preserved, it will exist only as a Dummy."

Variations: None known.

Sources consulted: (searching on the words/phrases: "clothed with ample powers," "white race," "revolve in orbit," "union is preserved," and "dummy")

1. Monticello website
2. Papers of Thomas Jefferson: Digital Edition
3. Ford's Works of Thomas Jefferson
4. Lipscomb & Bergh's Writings of Thomas Jefferson via Google Books
5. Thomas Jefferson Retirement Papers

Earliest known appearance in print: No appearances in print found.^[1]

Earliest known appearance in print, attributed to Thomas Jefferson: See above.

Other attributions: None known.

Status: We have not found any evidence that Thomas Jefferson said or wrote, "The nation was clothed with ample powers to maintain its own supremacy and life forever – with its foundation upon the White Race, Christianity, and a Republican form of government. If this nation does not like a planet, revolve in orbit around this 'trinity,' the nation's purpose for existence will have ceased to exist and though its Union is preserved, it will exist only as a Dummy," or any similar statement. Something very similar to the first sentence can be found in a book published in 1862: "... a republic, representing the sovereign majesty of the whole nation, clothed with ample powers to maintain its supremacy forever."^[2]