January 2, 1863
To the Senate and House of Representatives:
I submit to Congress the expediency of extending to other Departments of the Government, the authority conferred on the President by the 8th. Section of the Act of the 8th. of May, 1792, to appoint a person to temporarily discharge the duties of Secretary of State, Secretary of the Treasury and Secretary of War, in case of the death, absence from the seat of Government or sickness of either of those officers. ABRAHAM LINCOLN
Washington 2nd. January 1862 [1863]