Some Questions about Lincoln!!!

[Eva Elisabeth]

4. Why did Lincoln turn down the governorship of the Oregon territory that was given by Zachary Taylor?
-Matt

Matt,
I reread this issue since I remembered there was something else about it.
Lincoln was tempted first (the salary was $ 3,000 a year) and even discussed it with J.T.Stuart (who thought it was good), but then decided to accept if Mary would have consented to go. She didn’t. One reason was their son Eddie’s poor health. Nevertheless, Lincoln also knew a Whig would hardy have been chosen for Congress if Oregon had been admitted to the Union. When he declined the offer he put the blame on Mary who “put her foot down about moving”. According to Noah Brooks, Mary reminded him during his presidency that she had kept him from “throwing himself away” by accepting the governorship of Oregon. (But she had supported his former attempt to become Commissioner of the Land Office by writing letters seeking endorsement.)