This piece is heavily based on the California from @Planita13 's A Shining Valley, which I really recommend even though it was sadly discontinued. I hope it is a decent homage, I've tried to give it some flavor despite the theme being essentially equal: a blend of the Hispanic and Anglo Americas.
Do you like this way of jumping from one topic to another giving small bits at a time with ocasional bigger updates or would you prefer the updates to follow thematic lines (p. e. not getting into America until closing the Great War and resulting revolutions)?
I'm not American so it may be far from realistic, and in fact I didn't know that electors from one state can't vote for two people from said state for president and vicepresident, but I justify it ITL by an ackowledgement of both Whig wings that they cannot win if divided, so personal rivalries must be set apart for now...
I'm trying to be original and at the same time not too implausible, but as you see things are beggining to get messy and 1868 will be interesting. We may need to go to Mexico for some context, though...