Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln. Volume 6 [Dec. 13, 1862-Nov. 3, 1863].

April 16, 1863

Abraham Lincoln,

President of the United States of America.

To all to whom these presents shall come: Greeting.

Know ye that, Whereas a paper bearing date the thirty first day of December, last, purporting to be an agreement between the United States and one Bernard Kock, for immigration of persons of African extraction to a dependency of the Republic of Hayti; was signed by me on behalf of the party of the first part; but whereas the said instrument was and has since remained incomplete, in consequence of the seal of the United States not having been thereunto affixed; And whereas I have been moved by considerations, by me deemed sufficient, to withhold my authority for affixing the said seal;

Now, therefore, be it known, that I, Abraham Lincoln, President

of the United States, do hereby authorize the Secretary of State to cancel my signature to the instrument aforesaid.

[L.S.]

Done at Washington, this sixteenth day of April, in the year of our Lord, 1863.

By the President: ABRAHAM LINCOLN

WILLIAM H. SEWARD, Secretary of State.