To whom it may concern Washington, October 9, 1863.
In pursuance of a Resolution of the Senate and Assembly of the State of New-York, in the words following, towit:
Resolved, That the Governor be and hereby is empowered and requested to invite the President of the United States to select and detail a competent engineer in behalf and at the expense of the General Government, to consult with the engineers so to be appointed by the Canal Board, in respect to the surveys mentioned in the preceding resolution, and as to the mode of constructing the work so as most effectually to promote the national interests.
and in response to the invitation of the Governor of said State of New-York, made in virtue of said Resolution, I do hereby select and detail Charles B. Stuart, of Geneva, in said State, to perform the duties contemplated in and by said resolution, it being understood by said Stuart that he is to rely upon an appropriation hereafter to be made by congress, for any compensation he may receive.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN