In 1863 President Lincoln was asked by a Christian preacher if he supported Jewish restoration in Palestine. He assured him, "I myself have a regard for the Jews". While not an overwhelming endorsement, it may be think. Could a US President in the aftermath of the Civil War help create a new Zion?
The US had no colonial ambitions to speak of so could the US government under Lincoln create this new state within the Ottoman Empire. While outright purchasing may be ASB, there were over 150,000 Jews in the US at this time.
I also understand that his statement could be used for political purposes during the war and the election of 1864.