GOVERNORS PRITCHETT AND GAINES
June 18. 1850— May 16. 1853
To Kintzing Pritchett of Michigan, belongs the distinction of having been Governor of Oregon Territory for sixty days. He was appointed secretary of the Territory by President Polk upon its creation by Congress and served in that capacity until the resignation of Governor Joseph Lane on June 18, 1850. John P. Gaines had been appointed Governor but did not arrive in Oregon until August, taking the oath of office on the I 8th of that month. During this interim, Mr. Pritchett served as Governor.
Governor John P. Gaines Received His Appointment from the newly elected president. Zachary Taylor, and assumed the duties of his office August 18, 1850. He served as Governor of Oregon until May 16, 1853. In 1855 he was the whig nominee for Congress, but was defeated by Joseph Lane. He died at his home in Marion County, in 1857.
In connection with the appointment of Mr. Gaines in 1 849, it is worthy of note that the position was first offered to Abraham Lincoln, whose term in Congress had just expired. Mr. Lincoln had taken an active part in the campaign which resulted in Taylor's election to the presidency, and made a special trip to Washington City to support his application for the appointment as Commissioner of the General Land Office; but that position had already
